Initial research into the environment around me, looking mostly at trees. I want to form a visual knowledge of the shapes and textures present to begin with and help ground and inform my later work and experiments.
Looking at specific leaves and colours in Platt Fields park. I experimented using real leaves before using paper cut outs and drawing over them as I enjoyed doing in my summer project. Below is how I applied these results to my 20% presentation.
RESEARCH: 23RD - 27TH NOVEMBER
This week I wanted to focus on looking into the history of the park at the centre of my project. I've chosen Platt Fields park as it's very close to where I live, and both demographics (elderly and young people) I'm looking to aim my project towards use the space heavily. I think looking at its history will help ground the project and my general understanding of the area which will help me to understand the space.
LOOKING AT THE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF PLATT FIELDS PARK
ZOOM DRAWING WORKSHOP WITH SARAH WILSON
RESEARCH: 30TH - 4TH DECEMBER
Compiling research so far, location sketching and eco-actions and initiatives
SKETCH OF PLATT FIELDS IN THE FROSTY MORNING SUNSHINE AND FOG
COMPILING INFORMATION INTO BOOKLET PAGES
Patrick Thomas: eco-actions/ eco-initiatives talk:
I attended a talk by Patrick Thomas in which he raised questions and proposed some solutions to various environmental issues; including prioritising wild bees, how bats impact biodiversity. Actions that were proposed to help included things like clothes swaps, up cycling, considering wildlife in architectural designs e.g. bat houses, converting university printing paper use to eco-friendly only and reusable bottles.
I found this talk quite inspiring as it actually offered proposed solutions and actions instead of just 'raising awareness' which, when addressing the climate crisis, seems largely redundant in actually making a difference. It definitely made me consider how I could use my project to include and inspire actions rather than just inform
An outcome, focusing on drawing people, from a Zoom drawing session with Len Grant.
THE WOOD-WIDE WEB
Researching the interconnectedness of forests and eco-systems
I found this article on the New York Times' website written by Ferris Jabr titled "The Social Life of Forests" which gives an introduction to how trees "communicate and cooperate through subterranean networks of fungi." https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/02/magazine/tree-communication-mycorrhiza.html
“Since Darwin, biologists have emphasized the perspective of the individual. [...] Now and then, however, some scientists have advocated, sometimes controversially, for a greater focus on cooperation over self-interest and on the emergent properties of living systems rather than their units. Before Simard and other ecologists revealed the extent and significance of mycorrhizal networks, foresters typically regarded trees as solitary individuals that competed for space and resources and were otherwise indifferent to one another. Simard and her peers have demonstrated that this framework is far too simplistic. An old-growth forest is neither an assemblage of stoic organisms tolerating one another’s presence nor a merciless battle royale: It’s a vast, ancient and intricate society. There is conflict in a forest, but there is also negotiation, reciprocity and perhaps even selflessness."
Jabr, F. (2020) 'The Social Life of Forests' New York Times [Online]
BEGINNING TO DETERMINE A 'SENSE OF PLACE'
Looking at Suzanne Simard’s research into how trees ‘communicate’ let me realise that the park itself, without visitors, has its own intrinsic community through its ecosystem; the wildlife, plants and trees. I wanted to begin developing a sense of place for the park that reflected this, and began by using a narrower colour palette, stylised forms and beginning to design with assets.
PRACTITIONER RESEARCH: CARSON ELLIS
From 'The Shortest Day' by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis
'Fiery Comet' - Carson Ellis
I am most drawn to the painterly quality in Carson Ellis' work. I like that you can see the materiality at play, the water marks in the hills and the brush strokes in the various hills and figures. Her compositions are always very clean and use a very select colour palette - something I know I need to work on in my own work. She has a very precise and sensitive approach to her work, yet its precision and cleanliness also gives it a more graphic edge which I like a lot. The way she stylises foliage is also something that resonates with my own work, hers range from being made of delicate lines to simple shapes depending on the piece. In terms of my own work, I also want to embrace and incorporate the natural textures from the materials I use into the outcomes I make, and this is something I plan to work on during the Christmas break.
Experimenting with mark making
Sketchbook page
Over the Christmas break, I wanted to focus on determining a style and feel to my work that reflected the park as it is and the atmosphere I wanted to convey. I made a mini 8 page zine to expand on the image above. Using only black and Payne's grey watercolour, I focused on emotion and exploring tonality in the images. I also expanded on the written poetry.
