inspire me now

As you know, the idea for my project is to create a space. So while looking for different ways of creating spaces, I came across this 'Book Igloo' by Miler Lagos which I think is really inventive.

It lead me to a blog called 'inspire me now' by Szymon Błaszczyk (which can be found here - http://inspire.2ia.pl/page/3). 

It's a blog purely dedicated to inspiring images and artwork. As I suffered from a lack of inspiration at the start of the project, I thought it could be useful for everyone at some point!

DIGITAL VIDEO - IWT

We did a workshop with Mary Stark, an artist who did a degree in Embroidery at MMU, and then moved on to an MA in Photography, working with analogue techniques and combining them with aspects or processes of textiles, about how we can move our work into a more exciting or unexpected place, by using digital software and video. We got shown various types of videos,  advertising using stop motion animation, art fashion show videos, and video artist practitioners videos, showing the large variety of videos that can be shot. We were then taught about the various techniques that are utilised, such as various lengths of shot, (close up's, point of view, long shot) and camera movements like a pan across the screen. We also learnt about storyboards and how they are used to give an idea of what each shot will look like of the video, and we were then asked to create a storyboard for a video we would film in a few days.

We had a theme, which was just to film a certain place, the idea being it was to get us to link it to the general place and arrival theme of Living It groups tasks and also as a simple way of introducing us into video as a format. This was a useful task, as it meant that we are more capable of being able to work with what will be the final outcome for this project, a digital proposal for a piece of work for the new build, be it photography, a maquette or model which is then photographed, or as we've been shown even a video.

STEVEN HOLL ARCHITECTS // NYU DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY - IWT

One of the first things which drew me to be interested about light, colour, and space, was this piece by Steven Holl Architects, who created this beautiful piece for the New York University Department of Philosophy. They had to create a new stairwell for the new building, and so created  a pattern for the walls in pure white. This isn't all they did however, as they also used some 'prismatic film' which would disperse the natural sunlight which entered the building into the constituent colours that make up natural light. I really like the effect which it gives, a subtle section of colour which, due to the moving nature of the light source (the sun) will move throughout the space during the day, providing a transitional, non static aspect to the piece, something which I would like to look at aswell in my work. Prismatic film is also something I would like to look into, although from research it looks to be fairly difficult to get without costing massive expense, but then since this isn't a live brief as such, it means we can just suggest things we would use in our proposals, and so I may not have to use it physically, but instead just show where it would be used in the final fictional outcome.

Steph Hall - What my project is about

For my living it project I am going to be looking at the Courtyard, it is a pub in Manchester and was the first place I went to with my friends when I had moved to Manchester for university. I first decided to look at the Courtyard for my project as I like the atmosphere that is created there. Therefore I started my project by going to the Courtyard and taking photographs trying to capture the atmosphere.

After looking at these photos I realised that the nice atmosphere was enhanced by the lights outside the pub and around the bar, because of this I put the images into Photoshop as I wanted to exaggerate the light, by doing this I created images with only a few very bold colours, I was very pleased with the outcome. As this interested me I did several drawings from the images, in some of these drawing I looked at layering acetate to create a similar look this worked very well.

As I liked the layering technique I now intend to put the images onto a screen and work with them in print. I am wanting to use the separate four layers that are on my image but alter the colours, to see what different effects I can achieve.

Marcel Wanders

Marcel Wanders is a Dutch designer who specialises in architectural design, interiors & furniture.

Expo 2000

The reflective floor is something that could work really well with my ideas.

Timorous Beasties

Kahori Maki

William Morris

Palais De Tokyo - Michael Lin

As I was struggling with what I actually wanted to make, I just continued to look at other artists & designers for inspiration. I came across Michael Lin, an artist who uses painted walls & floors as well as textiles to create bold public spaces. And thinking about how I am concentrating on a mood or atmosphere, I thought this idea could really work well for my project. Although what I produce will not be quite as loud or dramatic as Lin's work, I am hoping that it will have the same effect of drawing people in, making a space that people will be attracted to.

Astrid Krogh - Mærsk

Bethany smith. start

The idea for my arrival project came to me quiet fast when I began thinking about places that have had a significant effect on me. As I live very close to Manchester I decide to rule it out and choose something that is more occasional, with this in mind I decided to pick Virgin Festival.

To start my project of I began drawing things that reminded me of V-fest, looking at an old program and wristbands. I tried looking at how the structures found could relate to my project and pattern and form could be introduced. I am currently at very early stages with my project but have a lot of ideas to get working with. I Need to make sure I exhaust all my ideas fully and explore all areas. I think it helps to see project X as lots of mini projects combined to produce a final outcome.

I find the group side of project x very interesting as I’m not use to working in such a way. I find it difficult to get my head around the concept as none of our group ideas relate. However I do like the idea of seeing the other members work to spark ideas and inspiration which may take me somewhere new.

Narrowboats & Canals - Mellisa

So I went back to the places I had originally photographed & it's amazing what difference a bit of sun makes. The areas looked so much fresher & just more appealing. The sun had brought out an abundance of narrowboats which was exactly what I was after.

I've been looking into the history of Manchester's canals & how they played an intrinsic part in carrying materials into the city & transporting goods out. So while the canals have an important history, the narrowboats are just something that I feel add character. I just think there's something really charming about a neat row of colourful narrowboats, bobbing along in the sun.

Photographs - Mellisa

Recently I've been searching around Manchester city centre for similar types of imagery as shown in my arrivals task. Whilst hunting for old style street lamps & cobblestones I came across places I had never been before. I've been visiting Manchester since I was a child but have never really gone out on my own & just wandered into unfamiliar places.

I found areas that I never knew existed, places that had real charm & character.

I want people to see these places, to know they exist even within such a busy city.

As of yet I'm not entirely sure what I'm actually wanting to make, or what I would like the final outcome to be. So for now I'm just going to work with the imagery I've got, hopefully photographing the narrow boats in more detail as I love the colours.