Mon 25th Sep -1st Oct
As the first week of year 3, I wanted to make strong foundations for the year ahead by starting as I mean to continue. Therefore I wanted to make use of my new much larger studio space. After Ba2b I wanted to continue working on a much larger scale in sculpture. As the thematic focus of my practice is based around human hybrids and their role in legends throughout history; I wanted to create a life size full body sculpture of a human hybrid. The embodiment of totemism and taboo surrounding the myths and tales throughout our culture. The beast being the totem and the unsuppressed human condition being the taboo. As a hybrid the organism conveys the relationship between humans and non-humans specifically wolves; as the creature with whom we have had the most diverse of relationships. “Once upon a time wolves and men lived alongside one another, each representing and benefiting from the other’s way of life. Those days are gone and… we are poorer for that.” (S. Ellis- The man who lives with wolves).
Blake’s Nebuchadnezzar has inspired a portion of my recent work however I have come to realise that I have several issues with the print, as a representation of the tale where “god” allegedly transforms a boastful king into a beast like hybrid to humble him; the print is supposed to show the king in an inferior state, so here the tale suggests that if there is a god then it believes non-human animals to be inferior to humans yet it supposedly preaches that all life is precious and equal, this is just an example of the hypocrisy of religion. Yet as I see it human hybrids resemble a natural transcendence an organism which has become elevated above the human condition to live in equilibrium with its habitat something which humans have repeatedly failed to achieve resulting in the shit state of the world today. Furthermore in Blake’s work although the King is shown in an emotionally distressed state his new form and surrounding scene, appear to subtly hint that the King’s new form is in fact superior to his previous. As Blake has been known to use his practice to question certain religious teachings this could very well be the case. As the King is shown to express and feel complex emotions he clearly has retained the intelligence of his human form, yet is now clearly physically superior although naked like a wild animal. However all Greek marble carvings of humans show them in an admirable state and yet these are all naked yet are not seen as beasts. Furthermore the wild uncut beard and hair look like that of a feral creature yet the gold colouring make the hair look regal like that of a male lion or golden eagle.
Thus I decided that for my life size human hybrid sculpture I want it not only to be a reflection of my thematic work but also as my response to Blake’s Nebuchadnezzar. Therefore I started sketching concepts for my creature based on the position of Blake’s when I come to creating the sculpture I will probably choose a position which shows the creature as something superior rather than a crawling pitiful character.
As the wolf is the one animal with which we have the richest history, and because the werewolf is perhaps the pinnacle human hybrid I decided to create my own version of the legendary creature, however as a human and non-human hybrid I wanted to really emphasise the beast aspect whilst maintaining the humanoid form. Thus I have incorporated the shoulder structure and chest of a horse.
However as I am working in 3d I decided to make a clay sculpture, to do this I created a wire armature covered in masking tape, the tape holds most of the form whilst allowing for shrinking in the clay. Furthermore the 3d aspect of the sketch would allow me to visualise how all the different anatomical sections would work together.
In making this clay sketch I came to realise I’m working too small I want to start drawing on a life size scale to start experimenting with forms so that I could get a better anatomical understanding as to how the different animal components could merge together. Furthermore the werewolf skull sculpture I made at the end of ba2b, being designed to be life size will be the head I will use on the life size sculpture however I will need to flesh this out, therefore I will need to sketch out the heads appearance as well I am unsure whether I want to use a human face or wolf like face as of yet as I want to convey emotion but I feel the humanoid body is already a strong link to the human aspect of the hybrid.
“Fictus Lupus #1” (150cm x 210cm) charcoal and chalk, life size drawing of first human hybrid concept. The first life size drawing of a human hybrid option, I found that using the charcoal and chalk to create this drawing was a far freer and energetic way of work which helped as it allowed me to create the natural forms and organic shapes of the creature smoothly which I think is reflected in the outcome. I’m so pleased with the outcome of this drawing I want to create a series of these large scale drawings next I want to create a portrait piece in which the creature is standing on its hind legs as a natural human so that I can use a less human face in the next drawing as I fear the face in the first was too primate like. Furthermore after looking at the image for a while I keep finding faults, such as the shoulders and the rear feet.
Furthermore to help kick start this term and to close the book on last units main projects I want to exhibit my sculptures and test for feedback. I have combined my foam pallet and aluminium hybrid skull as both seem to collaborate with one another effectively. Therefore I have booked an appropriately sized project space for 12-18/10/2017. I chose PS5 as it is a smaller cube like space, in which the pallet could rest centre stage so that the audience could explore the object from all angles however I am not yet sure whether or not I want to have the sculpture at floor level or waist height if so I will need to find an appropriate plinth for my work. However I will have to decide on this next week. Below is the work I plan to exhibit.
No comments:
Post a Comment