Combining Experiments

From looking through my experiments, I decided to combine the inspired styles of Nicholas Kennedy Sitton and Lucas Simoes. I took the idea of fragmented images that possessed the 3D effect and the circular rotating photography and combined them into one piece to find out the outcome. I continued to use triangular shapes, because I found that the shape suited most situations, this being experiment being a good example. The flat side of the telephone box and triangular cut out when creating this piece seemed like an ideal fit. 

The cut outs work with this piece, because they seem apart of the image, like they are floating into the air. This surreal appearance challenges the way of looking at an object, such as a telephone box that we majority of the time do not acknowledge. 

This piece might be improved through the use of abandoned objects such as a cut up cans. I could cut out the cans into triangular shapes so that it fits into the others, and then flatten them out using weight. I would have to decide which side of the can would be most suitable for this piece, the shiny metal or the printed side. 

To further develop on this idea, I could have used cardboard to raise certain areas, so that a 3D element is used. A slight increase in height within areas, would make the piece more interesting, judging on previous experiments this has been successful. 




Within this piece, I decided to use the cardboard to create 3 different layers. I found this layering method successful because the abrupt contrasts in height made the images more interesting. In previous experiments the height difference had took focus away from the photography, however, within this example the height seemed to compliment the medium. 

When the piece was viewed from above, like this image, the layers weren't visible. However, from looking at the piece from a different perspective new layers emerged creating a new piece. 

My vision only allows me to view the world in a flattened, compressed way, like from above. However, over the years I've been able to uncover hints of these layers through basically natural learnt methods. 

I decided to produce another experiment, with the development of allowing the photos to flow off one layer onto another. Throughout this investigation process, I hadn't considered using paper's natural flexible properties.
















I decided to further this idea, by applying ink to the piece, however, I found this unsuccessful. The ink didn't seem to suit the situation, yet this could have been the colour selected. 

Within this piece, I further applied a white strip to bring in negative space. However, this didn't work, so I'm going to continue with applying negative space through cut away in the style of Lucio Fontana. 

3D Sphere

From my interest in the separate layers, I took the single perspective 3D experiment in the previous post and further developed it by a 3D piece that allowed the viewer more than one perspective. The sphere shape allowed 360 degrees view.  

This piece was intentionally only a temporary experiment as I intended on flattening it and using the pieces for further experiments. The experiment could have been held together using metal wire, as PVA wouldn't be ideal for this 3D quality of the work. 

The piece could have been improved with the photograph being present on both sides, instead of just one, this would benefit the different perspectives I intended on. 

The sphere shape reminds me of the globe. However, this globe is formed through many circular flat layers of structures, hence representing my way of viewing the world. A flat way. 

I might further develop this piece by having it suspended, from fishing wire to create a wind charm similarity. 

I later used the pieces to create another experiment, that involved less of a 3D nature. 



I felt like I was being too structured with my work, so I decided to experiment in a more free manner that involved playing around with the building's structure. This piece might be improved by additional photos being applied because the plain white seems too dull. However, I find the shapes formed have been emphasised by this abrupt contrast. 








I further developed on the idea by creating a 2D piece. I felt that this allowed the images to merge together more effectively. Furthermore, the focus moved away from the layering to the actual photography. I took the idea of being more free with the composition into this piece, I decided to challenge the ordinary by presenting the images upside down. This simple change, made a huge different because its un-typical for an individual to view the world from this perspective. 

Experimenting with Layering

To develop from the previous experiments of turning the photograph through Photoshop into both a moving and 3D image, wasn't as successful as first expected. 

Patrick Hughes Work

This is an example of Patrick Hughes work, a piece that was present at the Birmingham Gallery when I visited. After coming across the artist Patrick Hughes work, I was inspired to create a perspective optical illusion using my photography. The artist paints onto pyramid shaped bases that aids in forming the illusion. 

After being inspired by Hughes, I decided to try implementing this style into my work through the layering of the photograph into a circular pyramid. I continued to use Photoshop to apply the lines, that indicated where to cut. I fixed the image to cardboard and then cut it out. The cardboard gave the piece thickness and strength for the intentions of layering. Each layer increased in height through this thickness. Small cut out pieces of cardboard was fixed under each layer allowing it to be held in the base layer. 

This experiment was successful at challenging perspective, through an illusion of gaining height. However, because the layers were obviously separated the 3D effect wasn't as strong as the artist pieces, that had smooth sides decreasing. Yet, these clear separations emphasise the rotational movement of the buildings. 

Experimenting in the style of Nicholas Kennedy Sitton

I decided to continue producing experiments in the style of Sitton, with different photographs. 

I continued to use the same method of producing this style of work, as I felt that it was reliable and quick for producing the accurate circles of the photograph. 

Within this example, I increased the rotational angle more on each layer, than I did in the previous piece. I felt that this alteration made the structure more distorted as well as seem moving. The movement of the building falling is important for this style of work, I've noticed. 

I had originally decided to not use this photograph for this style, because of the fact that individuals were present within it. However, I was curious. So, I changed my mind. This high difference in rotation of photos, has meant that the individuals are more obviously cut in fragments and the body parts separated. 

To distort the image more, the 3D effect could be applied to the method. 





Process of experimenting. 

I created another of Sitton's styled work, to experiment with. I choose to use a long camera shot as a change. I began to apply the different effects by first flattening the layers into a single image, so that the effect could be applied to the whole thing, instead of separate layers.

To produce the 3D effect, I copied the flattened image, so that there was two images. I then changed on copy in to red and the other into cyan. 











After that, I moved the layers slightly apart creating the 3D effect. 














The small details didn't allow the 3D effect to become as strong as previous examples, that didn't possess Sitton's inspired style. This experiment of combining the two experiments, was successful because the 3D effect is visible. However, I might try an experiment where the beginning photograph is black and white because the red and cyan isn't as visible as it should be. Noticeably, the green from the bushes takes this impact away. 

When I turned the photograph black and white the slight separation of the layers accidentally remained apart of the photograph. This has achieved a more distorted image, by the fact that it appears blurry. I don't have longsightedness problems, however, from the ways my friends describe the impairment, this image seems close to resembling it. 











I didn't find the change of saturation benefited the photograph. The increase saturation on the red and the decrease on the cyan, made the image appear like something typically found within a horror genre film. I find this fear feeling reminds myself of the fear I have towards driving because of my lack of confidence I have towards my vision due to my impairment. 











To develop from these experiments, I have came up with the idea that instead of editing the photograph to become 3D, I should instead try layering it to make it 3D. I preferred this style of work without the 3D effect, because I find that once its applied then the focus of movement isn't strongly visible.

Working in the style of Nicholas Kennedy Sitton (Method Experiment)

I found Sitton's style of taking a building and then transforming it into a still-motion picture of a building collapsing interestingly breath-taking. I observed the collection of his work, to find out the method or a similar one to producing these pieces. I came to the decision of beginning with Photoshop to create a flat photograph.

This is the beginning image, taken in for the presence of structures on either side and in the centre. 

I began the exploration of finding the method of the artist with measuring a circle out. I then positioned it around the centre. 

I then selected the area inside the measurements and held down "ctrl" and "J". This copied the photograph present within this circle creating a new layer as shown. (in the bar on the right)  














The copy removed the photo surrounding the circle. I then decided to use this layer to produce another layer that was 15cm smaller. I intended on creating circles that decreased in a pattern, similar to the artist's pieces. 

As shown in this screenshot, I began to rotate the individual layers from the middle outwards to produce the final image. The rotational angle decreased outwards. 















The final image consisted of 5 individual layers, each with a different rotational angle, creating the illusion that it's collapsing in on itself. 

Nicholas Kennedy Sitton

Whilst researching into my other main artist 'Lucas Simoes', I came across this artist 'Nicholas K.S' who manipulated photography within this series 'twisted'. I found this photography interesting because it explored different routes with presenting photos. Furthermore, during this investigation I have found an interest in distorting and representing architecture from my perspective, further leading myself to become inspired by Sitton.

Sitton distorts architecture in a manner that creates the sense that the building is collapsing into itself, this seems to be created by the multiple shots of the building moving away from the origin. The artist stated that the meaning behind his work was to present his experience of moving, "I had just moved here and been a new city was disorienting and exciting and I wanted to capture how my whole world had changed." He is presenting the world the from his perspective. 

I find travelling occasionally daunting because, over the years, I have recognised that I find new places hard to handle with my vision impairment. This is due to the fact that in locations I'm not familiar with, my eyes seem to need to work harder in order to recognise the 3D surroundings, by the use of movement, shadows and size, whereas, in familiar surroundings, I remember and have learnt the distances of objects known to them areas. 

I further tried gaining inspiration from music and media, the sci-fi film 'Inception' challenged the ordinary by creating a dream world that distorted the physics and perspective. Sitton reminded me of this film when I first viewed his distorted photography it. 

Within this single piece from the series, I find that the high camera angle evokes a sense of empowerment within the building, even in this still motion of the building seeming to collapse. The circular movement of the building falling in on its self-doesn't only create the connotation of destruction, but also creation. The architecture of the present day is growing and becoming more advanced than anyone could have ever believed. Lucas Simoes inspired me to view his distortions as representing the growth in architecture, I find that the artist, Nicholas Kennedy Sitton's collection achieves similar. 

This building, known as the Crooked House, in Sopot, Poland. It's irregular-shaped design, had myself believing it was a photo-shopped photograph, inspired by this artists collection. However, this building is one of many that exist within the world that challenges the ordinary of architecture. The Crooked house was designed by Szoty & Zaleski, that were inspired by the fairy-tale illustrations from Per Dahlberg. Another example of architecture this artist has inspired is the dancing house, similar in irregularity.

Per Dahlberg's Work

Cut outs photography

From the cut outs, I decided to use the by-product, which is shapes to further develop my ideas of photography uses. 

I decided to use a photograph of an eye, to emphasis and remind that my concept is about my own vision impairment that challenges the ordinary. I used triangular shard shaped cut outs, that had a glitch feeling to them to surround the eye. This was meant to emphasis that my vision impairment makes the world and my surroundings look differently. 

I found this experiment successful, because the application of the cut outs makes the piece stronger, by creating focus on the eye. The use of a monochrome image allowed the cut outs to be used in order to create colour within the piece, as well as, movement. 







This piece brings to attention similarities to the big brother image. A programme that records members living in a house together.

This piece wasn't successful, I found that the cut outs removed the once beautiful focus of the eye. I had tried to experiment with creating the focus on the cut outs, however, this led to the piece overall becoming unsuccessful. I might in improve this piece, by applying more cut outs and try forming the eye with using them. This idea was inspired by the Big Brother logo.