Nicholas Clark - Project Update

On the technical side of my project, I’ve gathered the tools required to create a sound triggered motion sensor and will begin assembling it soon. The included parts are an Arduino, three Parallax PIR sensors, LEDs and the proper wiring. The next step is to use Pure Data software to properly program the sensor. This will undoubtedly be a trial and error process.

On the visual side, the work has changed in two ways. Firstly, the project is entering the biographical realm. In building upon my original idea of organizing the work into columns, it will now be chronologically ordered. I feel a column system implies a linear progression therefore the work will be arranged in a linear manner. My hope is to display Gil Scott Heron at three points in his career. These three snapshots (that span years) should reveal a change in something about Heron. Quotes from Gil Scott Heron will also be included as contextual support for my images. Secondly, I’ve reassessed the art’s style. My original sketches were aiming to be realistic. They were intended to illustrate my interpretation of Heron’s lyrics, but ultimately the sketches were boring and did not meld with Gil Scott Heron’s artistic approach. In response, I’ve adjusted my technique to a graphic style, a style reminiscent of Emory Douglass. Gil Scott Heron’s spoken word is honest and bold. My goal is to reflect these qualities visually. When I thought about the way Douglass’s work mirrors the passion of the Black Panthers, I realized I was trying to achieve something similar with Heron’s work.

The culmination of my project will be a series centered on Gil Scott Heron’s career. The project will be composed of three columns (with three works per column). Heron’s spoken word will accompany the visuals via a speaker triggered by one of three PIR motion sensors. Although the work is primarily focused on one man, it may also touch on historical movements such as Civil Rights, given Heron’s connection to such things.

Jordan Greenbaum Proposal

I have always been interested in the world of fashion and design, and how it relates to the world of fine arts. Through personal investigations and various courses I have become increasingly intrigued by the idea of creating art though fashion. While this idea isn’t immediately easy for me to explain – I can give a short description of what I plan to do.

I want to create interesting garments through both textiles (with use of paints, screen-printing, and various sewing techniques) and non-traditional materials (for example, recycled materials or latex.) I also want the pieces to be no only be interesting on their own, but part of the mannequin as well. I have always loved the idea of not just using the mannequin for display, but making it part of the garment itself – essentially the garments I intend to make are never meant to leave the mannequin. For the mannequins themselves I want to make plaster casts of a miniature dress form (hopefully create and successfully design 3-4) and then create two full size mannequins using plaster casts of women in more dynamic poses (hopefully creating 2)

In the final gallery showing I hope to display these clothed mannequins with the original illustrations (and any additional illustrations relating) as well as drawings and prints done from observation of the completed garment and mannequin.

My main original inspiration for this was the theatrical runway shows put on by Alexander McQueen. In particular, in his 1999 runway show in which two robots sprayed paint onto a white gown on the runway. I want to create pieces of clothing that function outside of the fashion world – each being independent works of art.

Updated Proposal

This semester I am planning on creating a show inspired by the four elements of the earth: Water, Fire, Earth and Air. It will incorporate the components of photography, video, embellished furniture pieces and sculptural clothing. There will be up to two photos per element. This could mean possibly incorporating a homemade light box, but each photo will be framed. The framed photos will be digital and may be transparent for the light box. The furniture might have cyano photographs imbedded, actual elements, or a representation of it. The clothing will be handmade and be used in the production of the video and photographs. The clothing will be created as a sculptural piece, to eventually stand alone in the exhibition. The video will hold the entire story while the photos become almost still shots of the video, but video of singular elements will also be incorporated . The musical piece, Cavalia from Cirque de Soleil's, Cavallia, is what has inspired the entire work to become cohesive. The overall idea and story will be meticulously thought through when creating each piece of the collection to embody the particular element. The use of professional models and possibly dancers will be used in the video and photos. People that inspire me to create this look are Elsa Schiaparelli, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon.