PDP - Public Art

My PDP is where I extend my knowledge and skills within Fine Art through practical experience and research - recording a Daily Diary.

Public Art - Guided Bus lane

During my previous project on 4th November, we were visited by two members of TFGM (transport for Greater Manchester) one named Kathryn. They proposed an opportunity for me and my colleagues, to get involved in producing public art within an Guided Bus-way they are currently constructing. The art is not confined to its appearance and inspirations but only the space it will be presented and cost for its production - All these details have not be confirmed and so future meeting will take place.
November 25th - 29th
At the start of the project, we reviewed the first introductory meeting on 4th November and another meeting that took place last Friday on 22nd November were two of my colleges attended. I was unable to attend the second meeting which took place on the construct sites, giving my colleagues visual information and understanding of the site and so better knowledge of practical art we could design. 
From the information gather and presented back to us, my colleague felt there was no greater improvement with visual information as the final land foundations or earth weren't finished - no true recording could be take place until the foundations were down. 
These images are where the route will be. 




One of the conditions of the bus way, is that houses from Tyldesleys located next to the route have to have there gardens ripped from them - creating a lot of protest against the bus-way. 

From both these meeting, we started to gather, discuss and bullet-point the important information we need to be able to produce practical and successful work. The discussion consumed of one of my idea to use light in artwork, as I was concerned about the the bus-way not having any sort of light along the pathway . This idea gave me the opportunity to produce interactive art that is both attractive and with purpose in lighting the bus way, most importantly for dark times.
This is an image of our discussion

At the same time of learning about the proposal, I only researched into current art including Local art, Site Specific and active/interactive art. When it came to site specific, I only research the basics/definition even though it's knowledge is the base of my project, I felt greater knowledge will come as I process and discover the properties that have to be considered when placing art. 

"Site-specific art is artwork created to exist in a certain place. Typically, the artist takes the location into account while planning and creating the artwork. Site-specifiҁ art emerged after the modernist objects as a reaction of artists to the situation in the world. Modernist art objects were transportable, nomadic, could only exist in the museum space and were the objects of the market and co modification."

I felt the next step was to learn about  public art visually and have a grasp on how it drew attraction to the site and the context around the site. I explored local art in Wigan where I attend college. "The Metal Tree" is located on my route to college next to main roads, clearly since by drivers entering Wigan. The piece is made up of 3 separate parts vertical a lined with one another which at certain angels creates the impression of an tree. Having the site in mind, (practising my knowledge of site specific awareness) the pieces have possibly been placed next to a main road to add attraction to the none appealing scenery of a main road, but also expresses the character and atmosphere of Wigan.

"The Face of Wigan" is the most popular public art in its town, as it is viewed as the identify of Wigan for its significance of facial identify. This piece of art was created by a local artist to give Wigan its own face, encouraging Wigan's cultural customs to a broader audience.

"The Metal Tree"                                                  "The Face of Wigan"

Beside the contextual research, I also research into mining as the community of both Leigh and Tyldesleys still have fondness of their ancestors careers in mining which has heavily influenced our modern culture. Although mining no longer excites in these towns, the land which the route is to be built on, are the remains of the mines which have unsettled the older generation as it was their early way of life. Its is this group of people that have been involved in the protests against the bus-way as they feel that this construction will remove the remains of there memories and encourages modernism in a way which forgets the past. 
It is this issue, that the bus-way scheme has addressed and is the reason why they have asked us to be influenced by mining . Although it is only an option, I felt drawn by this opportunity to be inspired by the past to hopefully use it to encourage the communities delight in art - as I feel the art culture is not appreciated in my local area. 
Monday, 2nd December
This week we have arranged another meeting to be held at the college tomorrow to answer further questions we need to be able to develop our project successfully such as the public art budget, medians and deadlines. We as a group prepare ourselves for the meeting, collecting a large range of different imagery of  public art and images from the past mining culture which could interested them - learnt from their first presentation. 



Also within the display was our sketch and the images and ideas I wanted to push toward. I will be showing them to see there reaction and how they feel about the development. I wrote this in my sketchbook - "Exploring imaginary, I found my self influenced by three mining aspects, the mining wheel, the pike arc and oil lamps, as I felt they truly symbolized and visually record the working life of miners which novices to that culture, can create a sense of slight of the past - the first thing miners would see approving work, their tools and the darkness." 
Tuesday, 3nd December
The meeting was held today with Katherine and Angela who was more then pleased with our process and ideas. One of my ideas or aspect they like was my concern for health and safety thinking on an piece of work that children could safety be involved without any possibility of harm. Recording there concerns they also told us that the budget for the public art was £10,000 pound overall for all its means - both art pieces at the different destinations. They also said the piece could not consume of any metal (unless unseen) because of there concerns it would be stolen for scrapped giving us a most different task to think of other medians take would have no value in the scrapping industry. This meeting gave us a much clear idea they wanted us to work with and to keep the artwork culture inspired. After the meeting they give us word that she was going to give us ideal contacts to work with by email, to ensure are work or ideas would be practical for the site specifics areas.



Wednesday, 4th December
On the 4th December, I found it hard to come up with ideas, as I was waiting to receive further information from the upcoming email. I felt confused as I didn't want to create an idea that the bus company would disagree with - already knowing metal wasn't practical. To help develop my ideas, I decided to confine myself to only having concrete and stone as a medium because of it being a cost-effective material, additionally it will have a lower risk of theft. I was confining myself to a traditional way of expressing art such as creating a bench as it would please all audiences including those who find distaste in art. 
This was making it impossible for me to express my artistic self and so I decided to step back from my thoughts and experiment in the 3D workshops, were I will be making models within the project. I 'played' with Clay as its an easy molding medium to experiment and I decided to use plaster circular molds to create quite geometric 3D forms - hoping to develop confidant but also ideas to work us. 


Note... I have arrange a meeting to meet a man of Tyldesley's communities who has given his opinion towards the bus-way and want to get involved with its movement. I felt it would be interesting to hear his opinion and hopefully influence my culture research, using with opinion and proud of his town to develop a sense of Tyldesley's identity within my work - aiming my work to be site pectic for Tyldesley.

Friday, 6th December
Today, I went to the cotton Mill factory to meet Frank Parkinson and his wife to talk about his opinions of the bus-way and hear his wishes and inputs he would like to make towards our artwork. I saw this as an great opportunity to bring the community into the project and develop ideas as well. During the discussion it was insightful to hear all about Frank's life in Tyldesley and his up bringing. As it sounds, the topic when quite away from art for a while, talking about his interests and how he sees his community and what his cherish about his old culture for mining. From the discussion, I found interest in his developed links behind Tyldesley and its neighboring towns though Tyldesley's coat of arms. The coat of arms has three hills illustrated which Frank said they represent Tyldesley's, Leigh's and Ashley's foundations of being on a hill. This gave me the idea/confidence to push an previous interest of working with dome, as the represent them as an hills. 

...
December 9th - 13th
Note... This week, I needed to develop ideas and push them to a more practical stage and develop firm ideas that potential could (once developed) be final outcomes. I found still influenced by another mining aspect, a canary in a cage which has an interested and important purpose toward mining.  I started off with drawing wheel designs and found myself more interest in it's geometric shapes then the actual structure of the items. My belief for this, was because of the shapes connection with the unnatural world as they can not be created in nature but the mechanical world. My interest is its contradiction to mining, as mining is based on the natural resources within the earth and so there is a contrast I could 'play' with to encourage my artistic fare. 


 After the designs, I felt the need to research contextual influences to develop my work in a more professional way because of the professionalism in the artist site specific knowledge. In doing so, I came across Anish Kupoor who works with (Ideal mediums for me) earth, wood and cermet. He investigated into notions of scale, volume, colour and material to redefined contemporary sculpture. His focus has always remained on investigating the interaction between the subject and the object. I admired his site- specific piece 'Monumental Cor-Ten', a steel sculpture that assumes a looming circular form. 


His work transforms the environment, luring viewers  towards it, due to the human curiosity to look into it. It creates an acute awareness of spatial composition and the phenomenological experience of the surface, scale and shape. The sculpture enfolds the viewer into immerse and heightened encounters that capture the intersecting forces of the mind, eye and body. I later came across Anthony Caro and Henry Moore as they were an strong influence of Kupoor. 

Site Specific Research - Currently, my college was having an reconstruction to its building having one part knocked down and rebuilt from new designs. This part had the colleges old landmark 'The Wheel' next to it, which is symbolic of its history as to an reminder of its past. It's importance is making it to be relocated at the 'Wheel Restaurant' which is apart of the college community and next to the construction site, so it will not be moved far. As I am currently learning and developing knowledge of site specific factors, It was interesting to learn and record other people having to concerned these factors and see how they overcome them.



Inspired by Anish Kupoor domes, I decide to go into the ceramic workshop and create domes using the plaster dome molds as well as develop designs. Explaining my interest and ideas to the ceramic technician she advised me to create my dome however once molded leave them to dry out a little so they would be firmer, stronger and not break its form when I began to engrave into.  I decide to allow them to dry over the weekend and began engraving next week 


December 16th - 20th
For my ceramic dome I developed an design sheet to work from and ideas I like to push. To start off the designs I took two simple shapes from my research for mining and push them to create pattern and shapes. In doing so, I find it challenging to draw accurate 3D drawing of domes which I did using an propagator. I find out that using an propagator was the best or made the most accurate measurements and so I seek advice from 3D artists and tutor.
My collages and I had rearrange a session with the tutor later on that day for an quick demonstration of the guidelines, methods and process to create 3D drawings.  






Last week, I prepared two clay pieces in a dome form, at the same time as experimenting with both grit clay and pure clay. I prepared them so that they would be slightly dried out, forming an firmer structure with a stronger hold as I didn't want the dome to collapse in itself once removed from its mold. I removed them from the mold and began smoothing its surface using a rubber/metal kidney scrape as well as using water to rub over the surface to soften the clay to fill in small holes created.  Afterwards, I allowed it to dry once again and prepared which of my drawing to experiment with.



In the process I used different techniques to create depth and detail within the sculptures, engraving and layering. I found whilst experimenting with both clay that slip clay was harder to make smooth because of the consistency between the clay and the use of sands - the grit creates texture and so slightly lumpy. Once I had finished with the pieces, I placed them in the drying cabinet ready for firing in the kiln in the new year. I have chose not the glaze them as I wish only to understand the structures first and understand my contextual and cultural influences within the piece before deciding hues to also encourage these influences. 


My next target was to continue producing Marquettes using plaster because of it's fast drying ability, easy to carve and as an liquid form simple to transfer into tight spaces. Once the plaster had dried I find it hard to remove the plastic molds I had made from the plaster. Unfortunately I had to break the piece to be able to use the molds again. Specking to the technician, she believe the suction I made created behind the plaster and mold was to stronger that I didn't allow the plaster to 'Breath' - allow the air to get to all areas to dry. 
I tried again but this time I made a hole at the the bottom of the mold which I then covered with clay, so when the plaster was dry, I would remove the wet clay allowing air to get to the top of the dome.

I also choose to use an different method of used one of the plaster mold I had used before with the clay and place an plastic bag into it, so I could create an solid dome from the molds. The plastic bags leave engagements into the plaster domes which I plan to remove by sanding them down. 



Wednesday, 8th January
My ideas are not the only thing I have to present to the Bus company, I need to produce an ideal price as well as other factors that I need to investigate further. To help me conduct these I have done further research into the practices of Public art and discover this website that provides guidance to artist who wish to take involved with public art. 

The site is also inked with Lxia, Public Art Think Tank. An public art charity that highlights the challenges I need to know as well as aims artists financially and with knowledge. The charity's target is to aim artists so that I/they don't miss opportunities to develop their portfolio. 
Lxia is supported and funded by Arts Public Council. 

Friday,10th January
'All That Is Solid Melts Into Air' was Jeremy Deller new exhibition that examined the impacts which the Industrial Revolution had on society today including music. His exhibition shown great influence in finding the truth of the life of miner and it's influence today as Jeremy Deller as not only included his own work but the work and collections of others. The show considered of; audio tapes of events, music pieces sung by miners, a painted masterpiece by John Martin 'The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah', furniture from the working industry, Deller photography and other as well as the biography of wrestler of Adrian Street
Monday,27th January
With my college group, we attended an workshop at Liam Spencer Studios with Alan Birch, working with print. On our arrival we were greeted by Alan and given an tour of the studio. The studio had three freelanced artists working there; printer Alan Birch, painter Liam Spencer and sculptor artist Jill Randall.  On the visit I found that Jill Randall been experience about site specific work and so asking her question and looking into her work was beneficial and inspirational towards them project.  -  Jill Randall - 27th January

Monday, 3nd February
I decided to develop more designs with taken away elements, removing arcs and creating space within the domes. It was my need to create interest within the domes as I felt there were too much similar because of its structure and not composition.

 

I later thought to remove just the element of the top of the dome, having that straight surface -making it appear to be an step to other domes and climbable. Having the public be interactive with the pieces or creating interest though variation of the dome types. 



Monday 24th February
Not only do I need to push my final ideas but I need to find an concrete fabricator to be able to create my designs and find out costs to be able to present to the Bus-way company. I started off by researching what I could find out about my possibilities. In my researches I was pleased to find out, that there were ways to add vibrant colours to concrete instead of my idea of add a thin layer of plastic around the domes - I didn't want to use plastic because of it being flammable and then an danger to the local community. 



Unfortunately my distance makes me unpractical for these fabricators, but the research has given me confidence to continue my search and work with colour designs.

Wednesday, 26th February
Within my community,  I am involved with volunteer work allowing me to build up contracts and one of them is Jenny Ferguson who is an architect. I had previously spoken to her about my work were she gave me advice and was eager to give me contacts. I had contracted her though Facebook for the details fabricators and to my interest was Fabricators...

Thursday, 27th February

Before contacting, I continued my search and discovered Evans that seemed prefect as they produced concrete public art within St helens which is not far from here. The scale of the piece was massive detailing three structures on heads. They also have produced small scale piece such as benches which details there ability to be flexible and so ideal to work with. The company works to produce products within Building Facades, Hard Landscaping, Roads, Bridges & Walkways, Architectural Products, Sea Defenses and Regeneration Schemes 
For recommendation, I a further research into the company within the website and found there many testimonials, client list, there blog and News. I contacted though there website, explaining and giving an proposal about my work. - http://www.evansconcrete.co.uk/
Friday, 28th February
Next week I will be heading to Paris involved in an educational trip which will take away time from my practical work. I felt the need to glaze my 3D piece before hand so that when I am away them will be fired in the klim and ready for when I get back. I choose to use organic colours to encourage this earth element of my hill but also encourage by Tyldesleys coat of arms. I used a mixture of covering working with glaze and oxides. The glaze will appear to be shiny and close to an block colours whist oxides produce different tones and variations creating impressions of texture which may also be an similar look to concrete.


Monday, 10th March
Having being working alongside another project, Today my colleagues and I chose to bring this project to an end, giving ourselves this week to finish almost everything off and gather all the information we need to present to the bus company - presentation day, 27th March. We spent the morning organizing ourselves and presenting our final ideas. I spoke about my three domes that they were already aware of and so advised me to finish up final designs. My idea of having the concept of the three were admired and promoted in there ideas such as the idea of working with the natural environment using boulders to represent the hills and surround them with vegetation. 
This is the illustration during the talk of the ideas working with the environment. 


We also choose to make our work and presentation, an team effort giving each other specific jobs. The jobs that were needed were the project manger, presenter working on our power-point and people working on evaluation and sumrraires of our work. I have previously done research into fabricators especially into concrete and so, I was made one of the budget mangers working with Charlotte - who also has has contact research. 
Our first job to work and budget was to work out everyone scales and measurements of the pieces to be able to give an more informed and professorial information to the fabricates. This work out to be an differential as my colleagues  were not sure of there final ideas and so impossible to work out the measurements. 

Also got the chance to see my clay work to see how they turned out. My other piece didn't come all as plan, similar to what it was before, the oxide needed to turn green but remained to have large black areas so an re-coating is needed.




With my problem of measurements needed, I choose to work out my idea measures using an tape measure to visual work out my ideal sizes. I found out to have to domes accurate the base size is double the height so because I want it at an large scale I would that the consider the overall surface area of all three domes to ensure it will be practical for the specific site. I worked out at first worked in inces but was advised to work in meters as it was more professional for my scale. The large dome being 1 1/2 meters height and three across whist the another two the same scale of 1 meter height and 2 across. 

Tuesday, 11th March
Today, I received an email from Matt Perry whom was writing on behalf of the Concrete Company, Evans. He wrote that he need dimensions and references of my ideas to work from to be able to come up with an ideal price. This this being an professorial company I also wish to appear the same, so I decide to develop dimension sheets using what I leaned from 3D to create accurate drawings. 


I previous drawing I had the idea to combine the three domes into one piece but feel it would be more symbolic to let them stand alone as to encourage the idea of them representing town as they two stand alone or seen as different areas.

This is my accurate dimension sheet of the three domes before adding there detail. I will be using this within an A3 folder to display at the presentation once detail. This accurate will hopefully make me come across as  professional within the presentation. 




Wednesday, 12th March
Before doing any further decision I felt colour scheme need to be solid and consistent. I choose to work with colours, red, green, blue, yellow(representing gold) and browns with elements of black and white. The colour choose was influence by one the three towns coat of arms; Tyldesley's green,white, gold, and yellow, Leigh's, Red, white, Grey, Gold and Ashley's Blue, white, black and Gold.


The final design is heavily influence by the old railway tracks which surround the mining industry and elements of an pike arc and a mining wheel.The left dome is the hill of Astley, the large middle is Tylesley which is bigger only to empathize its significance of it's town and the right is Leigh's hill.


Thursday, 13th March
To prepare myself for the presentation, it was advise for me to experiment is  Photoshop so I could present a more visual representation of my work in an ideal site simialer to the busway's. This would also make it easier for the view to imagine  it at or near to bus-way if they wish to use it. To create an reference of my work, I choose to scan my final drawing and use it as an template. With the help of my tutor, he showed me how to make an 2D drawing to appear 3D as well as make it blend into an image of an site. The image I choose to use was take from the internet which is an photograph of Tyldesley near there the busway will be.


I et the image to A3 so that I could add it to my presentation folder.

To add more visual information of the design I create an birds eye view drawing to the design illustrating the domes scales to one another, how it will appears on each side as well as showing that the piece are separate from one another. I have also adding int he measures in meters of how I planned to have them. This drawing is one of my dimensions drawings I am sending Matt Perry from Evans.


Wednesday, 19th March
After previously speaking to Matt Perry from Evans C I decided to make an inquiry for them to give me an estimate of how much my design would cost and other essential information. 





Thursday 18th September
After the summer holiday, we as a group got back in touch with the busway team to discuss the future plans of our designs from an invite from Kathrine  explaining there were able to get contacts to manufactures to produce our work...






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