Evaluation

Initial ideas & theme

Aiming to do something challenging and different from previously, I decided to have a contrary element then my individual interest i.e. traditional patterns.

I intended to produce my samples inspired by Futurism for interior i.e. a car, public space like hospitals. Something futuristic and modern for a public space; unusual and ‘future forward’ for a car, as the theme of the brief suggests.

Futurism is a common theme throughout this entire unit. To have one element in common throughout a project helps me come up with one directional body of work.

I managed to gather some very modern architecture found in Manchester, Bury and Leeds, in order to begin some ideas through drawing and mixed media. Geometrical structure, is what I found mostly everywhere but that is just the overall structure; zooming into those structures, gave me some very interesting designs to bring into my work.

fig no.1

Nevertheless, I realised a fact that having so many simple geometrical shapes could be very challenging for me. It could get boring and obvious. During the process of experimenting, I made this surface that almost looks like concrete rubbing, see fig no.1; but it was actually foil print using PVA glue and netting fabric as a stencil. My primary imagery had a lot of sky and clouds in it see fig no.2: as a human takes high angle shots. Primarily, this process of thinking through making helped me to have a strong Base to start a project with contrasting elements.

fig no 2

I tried to recreate the foil print on leather, repeatedly. To develop, I wanted a warmer background for the print rather than the dull white paper. After making multiple samples and getting the same result, I assumed it does not work. I took risk and put it through for engraving, and it actually looked very interesting. I believe, it looks very interesting with the concrete, see fig no.3

fig no.3

Techniques

Artist, Debbie Smyth, use of pins inspired me a lot, as I was already trying to create this crisp and strong look in my samples. How I could create those big structures as small samples? I wanted it small but detailed. As I developed my work, I started hammering pins down clear linoleum sheets. The initial thought was that these sheets look like the glass buildings due to their green tint. However, they are actually malleable so I could cut shapes into them.

So how I developed this thought was, if I can cut through it, I can hammer pins down; if I could pass pins through it, why not try using it under the sewing machine needle? And it worked; but very time-consuming, once the needles goes in, it makes a hole and if the stitches aren’t to my desire then I had to waste it.

Due to its rubber like texture, it sticks to the machine foot and the part where the feed dogs are, so it doesn’t move by itself very easily. It just has to be at an angle where it’s almost hovering but also slightly touching. Therefore, I tried using Stitch 'n Tear, thinking it would tear off easily. However, it can be seen, it didn’t come off, even after using a coarse brush.

fig no.4

The stiches going in and out of something that almost looks like glass, was very unusual see fig no.4 Due to this reason, I believe my work could also fit within the hand and lock embroidery prize brief.

fig no.5

To help the viewer and myself, envision my samples in a real world, I have visualised them on cars. Assuming a car could one day have this technology to press the button and get some juice served. Or the car’s roof opens up like gills on a fish for fresh air, or swing to fan the insiders or used as heaters. If the little triangular pieces could tug up from a siren, light up and spin around in emergencies. Examples can be seen in fig no.5, 6