top of page
Week 1(1-7 Oct)

Territories of Fine Art at Chelsea College

Dates: October 1st - December 7th

Tutor: Ben Fitton​

Group Member

Hosu Lee

Merel Bochove

Marina Hajioannou

Coco Tsui

Kate Gardiner

Key Words

Obsession

Pattern

Time

Individuality

Container

Communication

The first meeting (October 5th)

We set up the studio space with two tables and chairs. I asked the members if they wanted to create either individual or collaborative work. I thought this decision in the early stage was important to find my position in this group before starting to think about the project. 

If working individually, each work will likely be curated and orientated under a subject theme. Working together all time is not necessary. If we choose to work on a collaborative project, the space will be utilized for one installation. It may require more commitment and responsibility under professional time/role management in order to implement a solid project. 

Two of the members tended to create the individual work, and one believed that the decision at this point was not necessary.  

Reflection

In the beginning, I was more ambitious in creating collaborative installation considering my previous projects. Later, however, I realized that the individual work would be more suitable for my schedule in this term since I needed to prepare my solo exhibition at SITE gallery by October 27th, which seemed to be quite urgent at this point.

 

My initial purpose of studying abroad in London was searching for new inspiration and challenge apart from my previous projects at SAIC, in which I admire to find/build my identity. I strongly felt need in more self-reflection than collaboration. 

img005.jpg
img004.jpg
img006.jpg
img008.jpg

Plan

I want to create an artist book about my obsession and compulsive behavior, similar practice to Gift From Germany. I will present this artist book at my solo exhibition as the main piece of work that represents the theme of the show. I want to make it very special one-of-a-kind which cannot be reproduced or copied. It might be closer to the practice of making sculpture rather than book.  

Research

"Obsession"

I have OCD [Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder]

Obsession: Consistent thoughts, images, urges, worries and doubts. Constant intrusive

Compulsion: repetitive activities that you do to reduce anxiety caused by obsession

I do not want to call this symptom as "disorder" that implies negative sense. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior can lead to a productive result. Indeed, it is a creative process of creating order from chaos. 

 

I am often obsessed with visual imaginations, vivid colors and forms. Sometimes, these imaginations are brutal such as killing, or dying with striking pain, and I get unbearable fear and anxiety of imminent death. Then, I try to be obsessed with a vital wave of other imagination that swallows up these fear. I intensify this wave with compulsive act of writing and sketching.

"Container"

Container Technology by Zoë Sofia

Structurally necessary but frequently unacknowledgable precondition of becoming. For example, pizza delivery within the container.

Exploited but not noticed and obtrusive.

Facilitating environment: Intelligence is not confined to the deliberation of the intended ego but can be found in changing pattern of mutual adaptation and co-adaptation. The environment itself is bearer of intelligence.

Potential space: imaginative space between inner and outer. Workspace for discovery and invention.

According to Mumford's distinction between tool and machine is "the degree of independence in the operation from the skill and motive power of the operator. The tool lends itself to manipulation, while the machine to automatic action," the container can perform its holding function automatically. Then, the container is a form of action itself rather than inhering property of shaped space. "intersubjectivity" forms in the space whose holding and supplying as a result of maternal labor (effort/care). 

Taking + keeping = outpouring (unity)

to cherish, and protect, to preserve, and care for

Transitional object: the tool is never "a purely material object but always has its partial origin in the inner world... is always meaningful with part of narrative and set of human purpose"

"There is no such thing as an infant" (Winnicott, 1965)

"There is no such thing as an infant [apart from the maternal provision]" (Ogden, 1992)

"There is no such thing as tool [apart from workshop]"

"There is no such thing as organism [apart from environment]"

"There is no such thing as discovery/invention [apart from potential space]"

Experience

Artist talk with Yun Chul Kim

Professor Dr. Siegfried Zielinski (media archeologist) and Monica Bello (curator and head of Arts ad CERN)

October 4th

It was interesting to see how art was appreciated in terms of science and technology. These days, artists are inspired by scientific research along with the sophisticated technology and facility to examine so-called "objective truth". However, vice-versa, is science also inspired by the work of art? It seems like scientist is only appreciating the work of art but not inspired or challenged by artist. At least, that was what I felt from the talk regarding Yun Chul's exhibition.

Is there a presence of authority, sense of hierarchy, between art and science? During the medieval age, art functioned as effective media to communicate with the society about faith and religion by transforming itself into a physical/visual evidence of Christianity. Art was merely celebrating and reflecting the triumph of religion. I did not like that. I believe that the power of art practice is more than just representation of truth. I believe that art can be the active practice to examine the ultimate truth just like science does. In that way, art can challenge the authority of science. I think that renaissance is the best example for art challenging the authority of intelligence. Perhaps, art has not reached that level yet, but I certainly believe that it is on the way for another renaissance hopefully in my generation. 

White Cube

Doris Salcedo, Palimpsest (2013-17) and Tabula Rasa (2018)

Anselm Kiefer, For Vincente Huidobro: Life is a parachute voyage and not what you'd like to think it is (2018)

See the note below

Serpentine Gallery

Pierre Huyghe, UUmwelt (2018)

See the note below

 

 

Science Museum

img007.jpg
img009.jpg
bottom of page