This week I dedicated some time to going to the library to check out more books with depictions of urban landscapes and cityscapes. I also got a book of Vatican paintings because first of all, I love Renaissance painting and second of all, lots of paintings from the Renaissance (and Medieval, too) have really wonky perspectives so I thought those would be useful to look at. Additionally, I got a book called Representing Place: Landscape Painting and Maps and I am excited to start reading this just to see what topics the author addresses. Even if I don't end up reading the book in its entirety--which I probably won't--I can hopefully glean some important and relevant points to apply to my project.
One of the books I checked out is called Sweet Oblivion: The Urban Landscape of Martin Wong. He is a painter and I really like his bold use of color and detailed, vibrant buildings. He arranges them within his compositional frame in a very interesting way and I think that, while primarily rooted in reality, his paintings definitely possess a sense of whimsy and magic.
Another book I checked out is called Splendor of Rajasthani Painting. It contains beautiful images of Indian miniature paintings that I think will be really useful for my project when looking at how to incorporate a lot of detail, intricacy and color into one space. These, too, though, employ a weird perspective that I am very much drawn to.
I elevated the poster wall this week by gluing it to two pieces of foam core and then lined the sides with paper from a German film festival pamphlet. I haven't glued it down to the surface yet but the elevated wall looks really good, if I do say so myself. Just to remind you all what I am talking about, below is the poster wall to which I'm referring.
I also made three tram cars this week and plan to definitely make three more to display somewhere else in Berlin but I am also considering having even an additional set of three tram cars that are from another (not too extreme) perspective. Below are some examples of what I am imagining and below that are the cars I made.
Finally, I created a fence that will surround the park in the top right corner of my map. While I printed out and affixed my tram cars to my copy map in my studio, I have not yet printed out the scaled down fence to attach to the copy but I will do so this week.
Utilization of Time:
Going to the library and looking at images: 1.5 hours
Collaging and working on actual surface: 17 hours
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThat fence looks great! It has a wonderful sense of perspective and movement in the curves. I am so glad you are posting pictures each week. I still think at a glance that one tram looks like it has people's legs sticking out from under it and it makes me very nervous.
The Martin Wong image you posted reminds me a lot of the Romare Bearden collage you have been referencing. the perspective and lighting are really interesting. Indian miniatures also make so much sense for you! I am glad you are taking time to gather books and new resources to help fuel your artmaking process. It often helps to generate new ways of thinking or seeing what you are working on.
Your work is looking really great Laura!
Erica
The fence is outstanding! That must have taken forever cutting such intricate detail. I cannot believe all the work you have put into this project, not just the endless hours of actual artwork but the library trips and research also. I think your incorporation of some aspects of the books you checked into at the library, as depicted on this blog page, will add a further richness and depth to your already perfect (in my humble opinion) creation.
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