Non space final piece

After my research was complete, I developed ideas and carried out experimental samples in order to reach a final design. I used three different areas - relating to dreams to represent my concept. 

These were: -  sleep stages

          - nightmares 

          - children's dreams

 I represented these separate areas by using various textile techniques and put these into a quilt form. My initial idea was to create the quilt cover and also for it to have another use as a book. This was so that it could reflect back to when children were young and bed time stories were read to them by their parent/guardian. This would be the first stages of dreams occurring. When the quilt was complete, I did not feel good about displaying the finished piece in my hand made book. The main reason being the detail in the quilt as a whole was lost as it was all folded up and hidden. I therefore had to display my quilt on the wall so that it could be clearly seen.

As much as I enjoyed making this quilt, I realised that my designs and techniques used were both very time consuming. I felt as though I was rushing to complete it in time which meant when it was finished, I was unhappy with the outcome - because I knew it was rushed.

 So let's try and scrape a positive out the barrel here and say I was happy that I managed to encorporate the two new techniques I learned into my final piece. These were crocheting and creating a repeat pattern on illustrator. The crocheting will definitely be a technique that I will progress with currently and in the future as I really got the hang of it. But really, I shouldn't have tried to learn a new technique (illustrator) in so little time escpecially when it comes to using computers... Blonde for a reason Ruth.

The update!

So now it's time for a quick update on the busy life of the one and only.....ME!

To recap on all the events and extras I've took on over the past few weeks, I will start with the most exciting! 

ERASMUS!! :D - After enquiring about a student exchange/ study abroad programme from last year. Our college eventually has an 'Erasmus status'. This is very exciting news!!! Last year I contacted Stirling university to enquire about their study abroad programme and they came back to me with all the information I needed. After spending hours of research trying to find the most appropriate course suited to me, I got back in touch with the adviser. The news wasn't so good - with my current course validated by the university, I thought I would be considered. Anyhow the first knock back was that the deadline had passed for the study abroad programme which meant I could only undertake an internship. I accepted this as it would still be a great opportunity and went ahead to find a suitable company to work for. After transferring details to the university for application, I receive a devastating email that said I was not eligable for the programme. This was because my current course does not have direct entry onto the Honours course - or something along the lines of that anyway... 

After forgetting about this for a few weeks, I decided I wanted to still have this opportunity and felt as though it was unfair that it couldn't be offered to me. With help for my aunty, we both put together a letter and sent it to the Erasmus company directly. After redirecting me back to the Stirling uni, I recieved an email back from my lecturer saying that our college has been discussing the Erasmus status. After the summer holidays, I investigated this and eventually got put in touch with Erasmus coordinator. I soon learned that the college was willing to help my through the process of applying to study abroad! I was very shocked to hear the good news but very excited!! After all my research on finding a suitable course I decided to apply to study in China, Germany and Demark! 

So now a good few weeks after the application was sent. I am impatiently waiting to receive either good or bad news. I reallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy hope it's GOOD news!

Non place - Dreams

Whilst having the idea of focusing on dreams, my research led me to various other areas. I wouldn't have known to look at sleeping patterns, sleep stages or how dreams can change dependant on age. I used online websites to find my information on sleeping patterns and books and mazagines to find the meaning behind dreams. I later decided that I wouldn't focus on the mythical meaning of dreams and concentrate on how dreams change through the progression of age.

I plan to develop ideas from my research in order to meet my take on the brief. I will do this by planning  and preparing samples to create. 

As a personal aim, I wish to be able to create a repeat pattern using illustrator. In order to do this, I have organised to attend classes with a lecturer who is familiar using the illustrator programme. In order to create my final piece -the main textile techniques I plan on using to represent my concept are:

Appliqué 

Machine stitching

Crocheting 

Introduction to new breif

The breif on 'non space' has been introduced...confusion all round.

At the start of every breif, I like to create mind maps to help explore my initial ideas. This is to get me thinking of various pathways and possible concepts to focus on. My first initial research led me to a restricted area...WIKIPEDIA! 

Marc Augé (born September 2, 1935 in Poitiers) is a French anthropologist.

In an essay and book of the same title, Non-Places: Introduction to an Anthropology of Supermodernity (1995), Marc Augé coined the phrase "non-place" to refer to anthropological spaces of transience that do not hold enough significance to be regarded as "places". Examples of a non-place would be a motorway, a hotel room, an airport or a supermarket.^[1] 

So once I roughly got my head around what this crazy man was talking about, my mind maps definitely helped to widen my idea. First of all I didn't want to focus on the particular examples that was given as I wanted to put my own twist on my chosen concept. I decided to list all the physical and the non physical places and before I knew it, I sharply found myself  tangled up amungst the clouds of dreams...

Pencil brief - BAD 3

After our return from the summer, a breif was issued to the class based on the pencil. At first, it was a struggle to get my head around the breif as finding a concept was difficult. Although we only had two weeks to complete the breif,  there were pros and cons to the time restriction. With only having two weeks to develop and produce a final piece, this helped me to create a large quantity of work in a short period of time - becoming more aware about time restrictions. This would be very useful if I had to create a commission piece of work as I can now work under deadlines and pressure. Over all the breif was challenging and beneficial to me as a new skill was gained.

Blog 19

Inspirational image


These images made me think about the colour and media when creating my final piece.
I like the idea of producing a painting that has multiple people in a jar. That way I can show all my various types of trafficking I had been researching.

Blog 18

To finalise my concept in relation to the after math of an earthquake, I was inspired from a puzzle image. I liked the idea of the community working together to try and regain normality by rebuilding homes and life's. Although great efforts have been made to do so, the pieces can be put back together again although the memories of sadness and devastation will still be lurking beneath. The joins of appliqué will represent this successfully. If I had the opportunity to re-do this design, I would like to create it on a much larger scale.