Monday we were scheduled to have Triads, 3-person crits where each person speaks for a specific amount of time during each of three sessions. Instead, we had a generally enjoyable, less structured and more interesting time in a group of seven, including a tutor, in our case, Keith Farquhar.
As a group, we travelled to each of our studios to view the work on display. The artist was able to give a brief introduction to indicate whether the work was finished, in progress or part of one or more larger projects, etc. after that the rest of the group would discuss what they saw and felt about the work. The artist was then able to respond to the comments and general discussion ensued. Finally, we would end each session with comments intended to help the artist realize their goals.
The only problem with this format was that’s ’twas simply exhausting. I think everyone was enthusiastic for the first three morning sessions, but after lunch things slowed down. The afternoon sessions simply did not seem to be as fruitful.
I had the first session after lunch and was generally pleased with the responses to my work. I have two projects on display in my studio currently, the animal masks and the zoo photos.
In general, the comments were positive. The three masks completed or in process are the elephant mask, the pig and a sheep. Currently, the pig and sheep tended to be considered together as a unit (barnyard animals) while the elephant is seen as separate from them. I need to create one or two more masks to integrate them all into a single group of animals, rather than two disparate types.
I had thought to concentrate on what I consider the non-iconic animals instead of going to those you commonly see on t-shirts (wolves, bears, lions, eagles, etc.), while trying to include some native Scottish ones as well. Thus, I created the pig. The sheep came next simply because I wanted another animal I had seen locally that had a head that was large enough to create a life-sized mask a human could wear. I started out attempting to create all of these masks life-sized, but I am now reconsidering and thinking about adding some small animals and birds as well.
Since the casting technician has been gone most of last semester and much of this one, I have chosen to change my media a bit. Instead of casting these pieces in metal, I will be using Jesmonite, an acrylic resin which can be mixed with additives or pigments to create different surface effects. Initially I am going to try cold-casting metals (adding powdered metal to the Jesmonite) which will simulate a foundry-cast piece. With luck, the casting tech situation will be sorted out next year and I can continue working in bronze.
The suggestions I got for realizing the zoo photos were the most helpful. I will be spending some time next week on another photo shot that concentrates on abstracting the backgrounds further and making the cages more prominent.
All in all, I am glad to have spent the time in these crits, although it might have been more useful to split them over two days. The fact that I was with an entirely new group of students than I had previously critiqued with and a new tutor were both plusses. It was great to see my work from new perspectives and hear comments from people who were unfamiliar with what I am attempting. Keith was a pleasure to work with and had some interesting comments which I may be able to introduce into my process.