Take Two Influences part 3

Drawing the V&A, using its edges as my template, my exploration of line did not develop much further than the initial imaginary blueprint I had started with - seeing through the bulk of my surroundings as if they are made of glass, or as if I can visualise its matrix.

I was much more drawn in through layers which overlay and overlap the surroundings and objects. Layers of context film the surface of the museum, visible and invisible, obvious and implied. I am interested in the layers of glass, the reflections, the relationships between the viewer and the object - the layers of time and context, and how time recontexualises items. I felt rich in ideas in how to subtly add more layers of context and meaning to objects by lighting and shadows, projection and juxtaposition.
 

I am also thinking of ways to keep interpretations of any alterations I may devise open and ambiguous, without an obvious or political message, but implying these.

At the V&A I ended my visit in the shop. Ah, the politics of stuff, the desire. Suddenly accessible, sumptuous exhibits are now available to have in one's own museum, to wear, to own. I resisted temptation, but temptation it is. I am interested in the entire gallery and museum experience, including the facilities, the shop, the merchandise, as consumer and artist.

Coming home, my desire was to make or construct something to sum up the task. What I really wanted was some real gold thread, to knit and knot and extrude. Materials have an intrinsic message of their own, a spectrum of sensibilities and feelings. However, not having some real gold hanging around, I settled upon a little bag I have. It is similar to ones on sale at the V&A, and is very reminiscent of the fabulous stuffs on display in the museum - the gold thread, elaborate costumes, the decorative embellishments.

The little bag is also a money purse, a container of wealth and means. I made  attempts within the scope of the six hour task to fill the bag with luminous paint, so that the innards glow in the dark. I may return to this at some time, but used torches and lighting to photograph. This is not just to show variations in lighting effects, but to alter the nature of the bag.
 

With time and resources, I would move this project to exhibition by suspending and lighting objects in odd places and angles, creating shadows and reflections, animating matter, making it glow, changing its function and giving it a new layer of context - an implied narrative.

6th March 2011