Research development - Self Directed Project

Since I last posted about my initial thoughts for the Self Directed project I have been busy researching and collating ideas into a sense of place book.  The below photographs show a few pages of my sketchbook, and the types of things I have been looking at such as bones, biology diagrams and Jan Svankmajer.

In addition I have also been looking for objects that I can use within my project and have been sourcing some intense music to fit within the context, in particular Beethoven!.  Another area of interest has been within the world of plastic surgery and how it is portrayed in Brazil, which was very surprising as surgeons are regarded as gods.

Below is a link to the article I read, It's a really fascinating article by the New York Times and a gritty subject context for my project:

'A Philosophy' of Plastic Surgery in Brazil.

Sketchbook exploration

Photographing Characters/Set

I am still in the process of deciding how to capture the meaning of the horrors of cosmetic surgery.  I have made a basic background and kept it simple as there is a lot going on with the characters and props.  I spent last Friday in the photography room experimenting with lighting to create shadows on the set, it really added to the feel and look of the characters, I also tried to get the lead character (Surgeon) to interact with the props and I also want to portray his character of being creepy and dark, so I played around with photography, below are some photographs I took.

The next stage is to decided on a narrative and consider how I will show this.

 

 

 

 

Drawing from making in 3D

I have now made my characters for my current project about the horrors of cosmetic surgery which I am happy about how ever, like with all my previous projects, I seem to just hit a brick wall as I always see the 3D characters as the final point in the creative process, which in some ways it is but I am trying to push myself further beyond making and seeing as the finish line, so I have started experimenting drawing from what I make, I think this will be a really interesting take on the 3D stuff that I make.

So I have started with my Surgeon.

3D Model 'Surgeon'

 

Observational drawing the Surgeon using acrylic in

 

 

Drawing Surgeon from memory with eyes closed using acrylic ink and pen

 

I really like the last one and the lines and the distorted look, I found this exercise really useful for developing ideas further rather than just stopping after the point of making.  I aim to continue with this process and would then like to make from the drawings to continue the cycle.

 

Project Update

Since I last posted on here I have been busy making my Surgeon's cupboard and desk, and attaching limbs (fake) and oddities in to place to create a gruesome, chaotic and dark scene that reflects the Surgeon and his personality, it also relates to the subject matter 'the horrors of cosmetic surgery'!.

Below are some pictures...

 

I still have a few more things to make and I have been focusing on creating the background today, I aim to have this done by Friday so that I can begin thinking about photographing/animation and how this will be done in the best way to capture the mood.

Surgeon in progress!

I have finally got over a big creative block that I encountered the other day and I have been busy making the Surgeon for the Moral Consequences brief. I have tried to photograph him through the stages of making him.

He is rather ugly!.

I used a old china doll that I found in a charity shop for £2.00 and a cheap rubber Halloween mask.



The Horrors of Cosmetic Surgery!

Since I last posted about 'Moral Consequences' project I have developed subject matter a little and decided to show the horrors of cosmetic surgery in today's modern world.  I think it's a really interesting subject to explore, the cosmetic surgery is deemed to enhance and pro long beauty, but the outcome in some situations look monstrous! I thought this fits with the dark/sinister look of my work, I also want add a humorous element to it too.

I have made a female monster and added long hair, false eyelash (only has one eye) and red lipstick to give it the 'made up' look.

I also want to create a mad monster surgeon and a surgeon room.  I am currently researching suregeon rooms and alchemy as I want to make a medicine/spell cabinet to compliment the scene.

'Moral Consequences'

Over the summer break I have been working on 'Moral Consequences' project with an Authorstrator approach, as this is how I prefer to work.  The project aim is to visualise and tell, through narrative/stories-  how doing something bad can have a consequence and effect. 

I began researching visual imagery and thinking about fables, nursery rhymes and popular films I watched as a child such as 'Labyrinth' and 'Return to Oz' as they all had a bad character in the film who would do something as a consequence.  I have also been thinking about consequences related to the other areas in life such as bullying, breaking someones heart and the consequences that materialistic and cosmetic treatments can cause.

Being a fan of making in 3D, it's a natural route for me to explore, initially I made a house where each room is based around a different consequence, it was a good way for me to get some initial ideas together, however since returning to university and talking to my tutor I now feel that I want to push myself more and explore other mediums like Istop motion and photography/costume and bring it to life - some how!.

Quay Brothers are a massive influence, their work has a dark, sinister yet humorous feel.  The look of their animations is dark, raw and has a work feel to it that I like.  They used found objects like dolls head to add to the Surreal element which is really exciting.

Below is an image of my first character 'Bird Witch', the Bird Witch leads her henchbirds and keeps an eye (literally) on all those who pick and bully other people - If she catches you....

This is the Heart Stealer, he doesn't like heart breakers!

A few pictures of the amazing 'Quay Brothers'