VAST

400 F005
Presley Carvalho
Julie York / Ingrid Koenig
September 30th

Group A Critique Summaries

Sam

Many people connected with the idea of a personal narrative, which was showcased
through the use of the dates and experiences documented. An important note with
this was how Sam had chosen to pick a varying selection of days/experiences, not
consecutive or daily but slices of her life associated with humor or otherwise.
Visually, it was suggested that integrations of color could provide focal points within
each panel to emphasize what experience is being shared (ex. Pepto Bismol being
colored pink, BG is black/grey/white). All the characters illustrated throughout the
works with a hard edge were viewed as calculated, while the sketchy forms in
contrast were viewed as being more expressionistic. The text of the work was
viewed as of equal importance to the imagery, visibly harboring similarities to comic
panels or newspaper bits. In this way, the placement and interaction of the text
should be considered alongside the human forms (either separated from the
subjects or being situated into the background and objects, etc).

Post-critique:
A concern brought forth by Sam was on the issue of drawing herself, expressing
uncertainty if her persona would negatively impact the work (making it harder to
relate to, might prevent some from entering the work, etc). Regarding a solution, it
was discussed that because the work put emphasis on the story-telling/narrative, it
was through the experiences Sam had chosen to share that allowed people to
connect and relate to the work. The persona served as a visual symbol to bring
strength to the shared narrative and didnt force the viewer to pretend to be or take
the role of Sam herself.

Artists to check out:

Veronica ( AKA Taeshi)
http://taeshidiary.tumblr.com

While humor was the intended mood to be captured within Sams work, its
also worthwhile to consider documenting personal experiences. Veronica
particularly addresses experiences in which they deal/struggle with their anxiety
and cynical attitude towards themselves. In this way, the experiences she chooses to
publicly relay convey grounding for viewers to relate and connect with the work
(should they have experienced similar issues).

(Comic artists)

Al Capp (Lil Abner)
http://lil-abner.com/al-capp/

Bill Watterson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Watterson

Charles M. Schulz
http://schulzmuseum.org/about-the-man/schulz-biography/

Harry Conway Bud Fisher
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Fisher

Jim Davis
https://garfield.com/jim-davis

I would recommend looking at these five comic artists (amongst many others) who
have provided strips for newspapers. While having their own distinctive art styles, it
is also visible how each artist combines their imagery with text, making not only the
imagery their own, but the placement of the text as well.

Daisy

Elements of time, movement, mapping, and documentation were brought forth in
discussion of the work, identified via the title, dates and mark making respectively.
The inconsistency of the shapes (both drawn and visually on the material itself)
presented alongside one another alluded to the concept of process-based work.
Having had the process (being a video projection associated with a TV show is
partially documented onto the paper material, which would later be transitioned
onto fabric) explained to the rest of the class/group, a visible contrast was brought
forward between the fast/quick mark-making next to the slow/patient sewing
process. It was also suggested that seeing the work in a larger scale could prove to
be beneficial.

Post-Critique:
Concern was addressed by Daisy regarding the incorporation of the TV show titles
(both being the Bachelorette and Stranger Things). It was discussed that the
addition of the titles provided viewers with a grounding so that they may view the
work from an opinionated stance (further explained that while not everyone has
watched the Bachelorette, most people have formed an opinion on it based on the
concept of the show). In this way, viewers would be placed into a space where their
opinion could either control/influence the way they view the artwork, a seemingly
deliberate choice by Daisy.
The removal of the titles allow the work to enter a more abstract state, broadening
the way it may be viewed and analyzed, but may prevent some from deeply entering
the work (due to lack of grounding?).

Another concern addressed was through the presentation of the work. Some
suggestions included separating the paper drawings from the sewn imagery,
connecting them all via their inconsistently cut shapes, or through something akin to
a yarn mind map (think something akin to a criminal deduction board, with a string
spanning across image to image to pinpoint a culprit).

Artists/Things to check out:
Meri Cherry
http://www.mericherry.com/2015/06/16/sew-sew-kid-made-pillows/

While only having some relation to fabric, the imagery used are random paint
strokes made by children. It could be interesting to see Daisys gestural markmaking (once transferred onto fabric) be used to construct decorative furniture of
some kind (be it a pillow, blanket, etc).

http://www.rosebrand.com/subcategory219/front-or-rear-projection-fabrics.aspx

In terms of materiality, it could be interesting for Daisy to try and work with
projection fabrics, considering her process includes the utilization of a video
projection.

Presley (me, myself, I)

For my critique, the work I presented brought forth discussion of bringing Pixel Art
outside its digital realm and into the physical space. It was suggested that I try to
consider unconventional materials, such as Marshmallows, to act on the cryptic
tendencies that my artwork brought forth upon making this translation.
It was also divided on the use of a grid, as on one hand, there were a few people who
liked the idea of breaking the perfect format associated with Pixel art upon using
alternative materials, but there were others who strongly recommended that I
utilize a grid to maintain relations to the mediums origins. Other material
suggestions were things that decompose over time, vegetables (to make
controllers??) and ceramic tiling. Essentially, push outside the framework of the
digital realm.
Working on a larger scale was also discussed, and how the color palettes I use
should be considered (either limited or incredibly varied). Distance from the viewer
was something to also be considered, as well as the perspective they view the work
from, allowing abstracted forms to construct a recognizable image?
There were also associations with video game + Internet Culture and D.I.Y/material
culture.

Artists to check out:
Vic Muniz

Eric Zepika

Tasha

During the critique, there seemed to be confusion and feelings of being
overwhelmed by the presented work. Visually the work expressed relations to
Internet culture/technology, collaging various online sources in a way where the
information became cryptic and difficult to interpret. A suggested solution was to
span a narrative across a series of cryptic images, with each piece having a specific
focal point that would construct an overall story.

Post-Critique:
Tasha mentioned that she intends to try and bring her work into a more physical
space, where I believe she stated she was already testing to see how her images
looked once they were printed out onto a fabric?

Artists to check out:
Cory Archangel
http://www.coryarcangel.com

Ive already recommended this artist to Tasha (with Archangels current
show being held at Western Front), but he is heavily associated with Post-Internet
culture, having subject matter that could serve influential.

Petra Cortright
http://www.petracortright.com

Definitely an artist you should check out, her website is covered with old
Internet gifs and emoticons. She has a variety of work spanning from animated to
static images, video related works, and anything else between that.

Bill Viola
http://www.fabricworkshopandmuseum.org/Artists/ArtistDetail.aspx?ArtistId=8d
b57031-7ee0-48fa-ac7a-e62e6ec16e95

Regarding projected imagery, Bill Viola hung up nine sheer scrims parallel to
one another, where each one captured light from video projections positioned on
either end. It might not be bringing the work entirely into a physical plane; it serves
as a means to bridge the two? Could be worthwhile to look into.

Hillary Butterworth
http://stamps.umich.edu/exhibitions/individual/the_curtain_passed_through_the_
wall

The Curtain Passed Through The Wall, an interactive installation using
projection, programming, fabric and fans. Could also be worthwhile if youre
interested in exploring the relationship between the projected image and the
physical plane.

Willy

The stories that Willy shared seemed to hold personal and cultural significance,
where the act of sharing them would have been to obtain knowledge or experience.
While originally intending to construct a graphic novel based on the story, the
presentation of the work (being the projected imagery and Will himself reading
aloud the story to the class), it was suggested that he try to consider an audio
recording alongside the illustrations.

Post-Critique:
It was confirmed by Willy that he was going to approach the work as a recording
with imagery. It was suggested that he could set up a station within the room where
a viewer wears a headset while observing symbolic images relating to the story (ex.
The fish, cellphone, etc). Another suggestion was to have the audio play throughout
the space while it contained multiple stations where the viewer would piece
together/experience the story (for instance, starting from the left side of the room
would be the beginning and the viewer would travel to the right across the room,
progressing through the stations alongside the audio.) This would allow viewers to
jump into the story at any point and experience the story differently, depending on
where they entered (some starting at the beginning, middle, or end).

Artists/Things to check out:
Audiobooks/ Voice Actors
Special: Lord of the Rings script read by Futurama Voice Actors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erKuzx84uc4

http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/voice-compare/


I think a useful strategy Willy should look into would be listening to
Audiobooks or Voice Actors and just listen as to how theyre telling a story.

Everyday Listening
http://www.everydaylistening.com


Contains some other means of relaying sound, using another contraption or
device to do so. Could be interesting to potentially create background noises in a
physical space alongside the projected audio of Willy reading.
(Ex. For fishing, maybe having a bucket of dripping water in the physical space while
the audio describes that portion of the story could be interesting? It could allow
space for the viewers to immerse themselves into the work?)