For some five or six summers I worked construction. During this time we traveled up and down the west coast, staying in random (and often small) towns for weeks at a time. I often would go out with my camera and explore the surrounding urban environment. I have begun compiling these photographs (and others) of urban spaces specifically for this project. Unfortunately, I've begun to realize that most of the photos taken from my construction experiences were from small towns and aren't in at all like the major metropolis's I wish to explore.
View Photographs From:
Eugene, OR
China
Seattle, WA
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Inspirations for this Project
China
-limitless colors
-commotion, business
-energy
-lights
YOU TUBE LINKS:
nanjing road
big coke
Mondrian
-emphasis of the primary colors
-color relationships
-lines constructed with awareness creating rhythm
-simplification of forms
Piet Mondrian, Broadway Boogie-Woogie 1942-1943, Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Kandinsky
-uses of color
-philosophies on inner necessity
-spirit and outlook on human emotion
-interest in color symbolism and color psychology
Wassily Kandinsky's Composition VII, 1913. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Society of the Spectacle - Guy Debord
"All that was once directly lived has become mere representation." -Nicholson-Smith translation, thesis 1.
"The decline of being into having, and having into merely appearing." -Ibid., thesis 17.
"The spectacle is not a collection of images, rather, it is a social relationship between people that is mediated by images."
Dziga Vertov - Man With a Movie Camera
-limitless colors
-commotion, business
-energy
-lights
YOU TUBE LINKS:
nanjing road
big coke
Mondrian
-emphasis of the primary colors
-color relationships
-lines constructed with awareness creating rhythm
-simplification of forms
Piet Mondrian, Broadway Boogie-Woogie 1942-1943, Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Kandinsky
-uses of color
-philosophies on inner necessity
-spirit and outlook on human emotion
-interest in color symbolism and color psychology
Wassily Kandinsky's Composition VII, 1913. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Society of the Spectacle - Guy Debord
"All that was once directly lived has become mere representation." -Nicholson-Smith translation, thesis 1.
"The decline of being into having, and having into merely appearing." -Ibid., thesis 17.
"The spectacle is not a collection of images, rather, it is a social relationship between people that is mediated by images."
Dziga Vertov - Man With a Movie Camera
-excitement and passion for a growing city
-unique angles of a city
-portraying human interaction with the city
The Industrial Revolution, late 18th and 19th Century
-move from a static society to a bustling one
-machinery and factories
-spirit of invention
-excitement of building and creating
-unique angles of a city
-portraying human interaction with the city
The Industrial Revolution, late 18th and 19th Century
-move from a static society to a bustling one
-machinery and factories
-spirit of invention
-excitement of building and creating
Monday, November 26, 2007
2 Diagrams for Installation Proposals
Now that I've decided to incorporate a time based element, it is important to consider how the two elements of the project will be presented. One possible proposal is to leave a blank, white rectangle in the middle of the drawing. The time based element would then be projected into this space.
The second proposal is to have the drawing and the time based element side by side to each other. For compositional reasons, I feel that these should be the same size, or at least the same height.
Their are pros and cons to either set up, but projecting the time based element "into" the drawing seems like the most interesting use of the two.
The second proposal is to have the drawing and the time based element side by side to each other. For compositional reasons, I feel that these should be the same size, or at least the same height.
Their are pros and cons to either set up, but projecting the time based element "into" the drawing seems like the most interesting use of the two.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
NEW ARTIST STATEMENT
bfa statement:
Above me, below me and to either side were lights. Lights of all colors, flashing sporadically, seductively, each with their own sense of urgency. Neon lights that grew from the sides of buildings as if they were alive, and they consumed entire structures whole. There was no end in sight to this limitless symphony of color and chaos. I shared this experience with more than a million other people, who made the landscape even more surreal and overwhelming. This was my first experience in a major metropolis. I was walking along Nanjing Road in Shanghai, China when this barrage of intense visual stimulus struck me. Nanjing Road is known as the busiest street in the world.
This excitement, the movement, and the perpetual energy of urban spaces have always inspired me. There is an inherent sense of chaos to an urban space that compels me to explore and ultimately become a part of its process. Quite literally, I have explored the urban space for years using cameras. My goal on these outings has always been the same: to capture and identify the smaller elements that begin this system. At this level, a much different structure begins to reveal itself. It is one of order and simplicity. In larger metropolitan areas, I believe it is this underlying structure that allows the chaos to function as it does.
I am interested in both where this chaos begins, but also where it will lead. How limitless is mankind’s ambition to build? How will this ambition and desire transform the landscape? In Shanghai, over 400 high-rise buildings are built every year. The cityscape literally evolves before your eyes. Obviously, this rapid expansion comes at a price. It drains natural resources, compromises the living situations for millions in the city, and has numerous other implications to the environment.
I want to address these issues by creating a fantasy urban landscape. My urban landscape will be inspired from my own personal experiences in urban settings, my photographs and videos of various cities, and from my own imagination. I plan on using vector graphics as my primary tool for illustration. Upon completion, the scale of my urban landscape will be large. This is to convey the notion of a limitless urban space. Through detail and a wide color palette, I also hope to convey the chaos and energy inherent in all large urban spaces. To push my concept even further, I want to create a time-based element that will accompany my illustration.
This time-based element will utilize the buildings and other forms I have created in Illustrator to construct an entirely new landscape, one that literally does evolve before your eyes. Using programming, I essentially will bring my cityscape to life. Buildings will either spring up from the ground, disappear, or be replaced by other buildings. The end result will be an ongoing, ever-changing urban space. A time feature will let the viewer know how long the space has been evolving. The illustration accompanying the piece will be a reference point as to where the landscape initially began.
Above me, below me and to either side were lights. Lights of all colors, flashing sporadically, seductively, each with their own sense of urgency. Neon lights that grew from the sides of buildings as if they were alive, and they consumed entire structures whole. There was no end in sight to this limitless symphony of color and chaos. I shared this experience with more than a million other people, who made the landscape even more surreal and overwhelming. This was my first experience in a major metropolis. I was walking along Nanjing Road in Shanghai, China when this barrage of intense visual stimulus struck me. Nanjing Road is known as the busiest street in the world.
This excitement, the movement, and the perpetual energy of urban spaces have always inspired me. There is an inherent sense of chaos to an urban space that compels me to explore and ultimately become a part of its process. Quite literally, I have explored the urban space for years using cameras. My goal on these outings has always been the same: to capture and identify the smaller elements that begin this system. At this level, a much different structure begins to reveal itself. It is one of order and simplicity. In larger metropolitan areas, I believe it is this underlying structure that allows the chaos to function as it does.
I am interested in both where this chaos begins, but also where it will lead. How limitless is mankind’s ambition to build? How will this ambition and desire transform the landscape? In Shanghai, over 400 high-rise buildings are built every year. The cityscape literally evolves before your eyes. Obviously, this rapid expansion comes at a price. It drains natural resources, compromises the living situations for millions in the city, and has numerous other implications to the environment.
I want to address these issues by creating a fantasy urban landscape. My urban landscape will be inspired from my own personal experiences in urban settings, my photographs and videos of various cities, and from my own imagination. I plan on using vector graphics as my primary tool for illustration. Upon completion, the scale of my urban landscape will be large. This is to convey the notion of a limitless urban space. Through detail and a wide color palette, I also hope to convey the chaos and energy inherent in all large urban spaces. To push my concept even further, I want to create a time-based element that will accompany my illustration.
This time-based element will utilize the buildings and other forms I have created in Illustrator to construct an entirely new landscape, one that literally does evolve before your eyes. Using programming, I essentially will bring my cityscape to life. Buildings will either spring up from the ground, disappear, or be replaced by other buildings. The end result will be an ongoing, ever-changing urban space. A time feature will let the viewer know how long the space has been evolving. The illustration accompanying the piece will be a reference point as to where the landscape initially began.
Outline for New Artist Statement
1. Background Story - my personal experiences with big cities
2. Passion relating to the subject
3. Theme/Subject - fantasy city, limitless space, ordered chaos
4. Process - inability to draw, years of night time photography in cities
5. Event Work - idea for final piece
2. Passion relating to the subject
3. Theme/Subject - fantasy city, limitless space, ordered chaos
4. Process - inability to draw, years of night time photography in cities
5. Event Work - idea for final piece
My Original Artist Statement Sucks
To fix this, I met with Professor Tan and discussed my thoughts on the project so far. I also went back and did additional research on the industrial revolution, Russian constructivism, and looked at Dziga Vertov's Man With Camera.
Meeting With Professor Tan:
-mega city
-constructed space
-future of constructed spaces
-sensation of urban space
-where are we headed?
-imaginative, combined with real experience
-vectors are mathematical representation of form
-chaos and order; structure; traffic patters
-rythm
-urban space: fantasy
-2d space is fictional from the beginning
-city space is 3d
-collapsing experiences into 2d plane
-what can man made be? or mean? how far can it go?
-a limitless space
-the industrial revolution
-generating a city through programming
-everyday the landscape would be different; it evolves
-vectors are readily portable
-changing landscape
-moving elements vs. time based
Brainstorming:
-the possibilities of what man can build
-fantasy city based on real experiences, imagination
-2d image of a 3d environment
-negative chaos/positive chaos
Meeting With Professor Tan:
-mega city
-constructed space
-future of constructed spaces
-sensation of urban space
-where are we headed?
-imaginative, combined with real experience
-vectors are mathematical representation of form
-chaos and order; structure; traffic patters
-rythm
-urban space: fantasy
-2d space is fictional from the beginning
-city space is 3d
-collapsing experiences into 2d plane
-what can man made be? or mean? how far can it go?
-a limitless space
-the industrial revolution
-generating a city through programming
-everyday the landscape would be different; it evolves
-vectors are readily portable
-changing landscape
-moving elements vs. time based
Brainstorming:
-the possibilities of what man can build
-fantasy city based on real experiences, imagination
-2d image of a 3d environment
-negative chaos/positive chaos
The Show
The BFA exhibition will take place in Portland in the gallery at the UO White Stag Building.
Free Write On Artist Statement
5 words: energy, line, space, color, location.
traveling distances exploring senses exploring sensory sight vision perception perspective angle shape form division dividing space negative space bright colors vibrancy radiance walking under passing through passing between noticing not noticing above below streets lines parallel lines adjacent lines geometry circles rectangles traveling upwards traveling across great distance origin of location final destination terrain hills lakes ponds a mountain a hill signs symbols direction stop go noise traffic overhead honking bustling groups traveling solo traveling in a group clouds smog the sky empty space filled space rhythm, distance in between, cars movement of cars buses, asphalt black building gray windows looking out structure shape steel concrete wood plastics fiber iron pollution electricity work commerce generate generate generating using water using electricity using space uses of public space fountains benches fire hydrant fire department police department protection order law structure function purpose developing development under development spaces of beauty spaces of neglect forgotten spaces seldom used spaces walked on spaces over used spaces worn spaces deterioration erosion growth buildings grow old buildings collapsing the city as living moving breathing eating consuming organism the city is shifting the city collapses the city expands the city adjusts to fit peoples needs people must adapt to what the city provides the structure of the city sidewalks building streets specified areas of travel specified ways of communication advertising relaying information receiving information business residential taxes penalties rules to follow lines to guide us engineers professionals architects government politics designers committees planning controlling developing resolving policies funds development deconstruction expanding contracting falling failing resulting indecision commut commuters work unemployed homeless trash nature natural streets bushes concrete planters concrete no color gray seeing forward buildings tower above 3 dimensional space zoning commercial zone residential zoning light industrial a city on the river a city in the desert a city a city a city
traveling distances exploring senses exploring sensory sight vision perception perspective angle shape form division dividing space negative space bright colors vibrancy radiance walking under passing through passing between noticing not noticing above below streets lines parallel lines adjacent lines geometry circles rectangles traveling upwards traveling across great distance origin of location final destination terrain hills lakes ponds a mountain a hill signs symbols direction stop go noise traffic overhead honking bustling groups traveling solo traveling in a group clouds smog the sky empty space filled space rhythm, distance in between, cars movement of cars buses, asphalt black building gray windows looking out structure shape steel concrete wood plastics fiber iron pollution electricity work commerce generate generate generating using water using electricity using space uses of public space fountains benches fire hydrant fire department police department protection order law structure function purpose developing development under development spaces of beauty spaces of neglect forgotten spaces seldom used spaces walked on spaces over used spaces worn spaces deterioration erosion growth buildings grow old buildings collapsing the city as living moving breathing eating consuming organism the city is shifting the city collapses the city expands the city adjusts to fit peoples needs people must adapt to what the city provides the structure of the city sidewalks building streets specified areas of travel specified ways of communication advertising relaying information receiving information business residential taxes penalties rules to follow lines to guide us engineers professionals architects government politics designers committees planning controlling developing resolving policies funds development deconstruction expanding contracting falling failing resulting indecision commut commuters work unemployed homeless trash nature natural streets bushes concrete planters concrete no color gray seeing forward buildings tower above 3 dimensional space zoning commercial zone residential zoning light industrial a city on the river a city in the desert a city a city a city
GPS
As mentioned earlier, Borrowed Navigation Project brought up the idea of incorporating a GPS navigation system for my project. I am not very familiar with this technology, so I did some research on the prices of hand held GPS systems. They sound like they aren't too hard to use, although it looks like I would be needing to buy software in addition to the GPS device to actually create something useful.
(left) Garmin GPSMap 60Cx 60MB
$320 and (right) Garmin GPS 72 Track Plotter
$160
Most of the hand held models I've come across have been fairly expensive unfortunately, and I am still unsure at this time whether or not I want to integrate this technology into my project.
(left) Garmin GPSMap 60Cx 60MB
$320 and (right) Garmin GPS 72 Track Plotter
$160
Most of the hand held models I've come across have been fairly expensive unfortunately, and I am still unsure at this time whether or not I want to integrate this technology into my project.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Artist Statement, Revisited
I am still working on refining and creating a compelling artist statement. It's difficult to articulate your work into words, but I feel the more I work with it, the better I'm getting. Here's the latest version of my artist statement. If you know anything about artist statements or my work, posting any comments here would be very appreciated! Thanks.
Artist Statement Revisited:
I am creating work that is readily accessible to the public, regardless of their background or experience in art. I strive to depict urban spaces that we are all familiar with. Through the use of color, layering and movement however, I aim at representing these spaces in a new and exciting way that compels the viewer to explore the landscape of the canvas.
I have never been proficient in drawing subjects accurately. From this limitation however, my own style has come forward. Discernible by unique shapes, blocks of bold color and a minimal use of line, my compositions tend to build themselves much like any city would: one piece at a time.
Humans are an integral part of the urban landscape. However, I am portraying only the buildings they’ve constructed. In this way, I hope to pose certain questions to the viewer that reveals something about human nature. Why are we naturally compelled to build and construct on such a large scale for instance? What are the impacts and environmental implications of this?
Having recently visited China, I am very interested in the answers to such questions. In Shanghai for instance, massive skyscrapers and towering blocks of concrete are springing up from the ground on nearly a daily basis. I want to illustrate this in my work by portraying an urban landscape on a truly massive scale. This size will work well in a gallery space, make for an exciting and eye catching piece and will also hopefully make the viewer consider the environmental significance of building on such a large scale.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
"Borrowed Navigation Project" Follow Up
I recently completed my "Borrowed Navigation Project" and was both interested and surprised with what I ended up getting out of it: new ideas for my project. (To view this project more in depth, please visit http://www.joelmertz.net/borrowed.htm). The concept of directly interacting with the physical space of an urban landscape seemed to be more interesting to my peers then the idea I had planned for my project initially. I have seen a great deal of exciting work that has been created in this area of art. Graffiti Research Lab is one such organization that comes to mind. The possibility of dealing with projectors, GPS navigation systems, and other tools like video and photography have suddenly entered the picture for me.
With such variables entering the equation of my final project however, I feel as though I would have to start over almost entirely in regards to my thought process. It's a frustrating prospect, but one I am willing to explore if I begin to find something that interests me in going with this direction. I feel as though I seldom have the opportunity to really explore my own ideas though. This year provides an opportunity for me to do just that. The drawing I've begun (my initial idea) is such a natural process for me. It flows along without a hitch. I want to express the types of colors and shapes within my drawing to others because they are so inherently within me, and they represent my own, personal view of the world.
With such variables entering the equation of my final project however, I feel as though I would have to start over almost entirely in regards to my thought process. It's a frustrating prospect, but one I am willing to explore if I begin to find something that interests me in going with this direction. I feel as though I seldom have the opportunity to really explore my own ideas though. This year provides an opportunity for me to do just that. The drawing I've begun (my initial idea) is such a natural process for me. It flows along without a hitch. I want to express the types of colors and shapes within my drawing to others because they are so inherently within me, and they represent my own, personal view of the world.
Style of Drawing
I plan on carrying out my initial proposal with a specific style of drawing I've been working with over the last year. This style has evolved from previous works I have made as seen below:
I'm drawn to using bold colors coupled with numerous geometric shapes. These elements fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I want to create a drawing of the city so elaborate and detailed with these elements that when the piece is viewed from afar, it looks completely different; A hodge-podge of colors and shapes that resembles something of a Pollock. I like the idea of conveying the city in such a way, because for me, the city has always held so much energy. It's this excitement and vibrancy that I wish to capture in this project. The strength of the piece lies in its vast size and the attention to detail I hope to patiently create.
I'm drawn to using bold colors coupled with numerous geometric shapes. These elements fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I want to create a drawing of the city so elaborate and detailed with these elements that when the piece is viewed from afar, it looks completely different; A hodge-podge of colors and shapes that resembles something of a Pollock. I like the idea of conveying the city in such a way, because for me, the city has always held so much energy. It's this excitement and vibrancy that I wish to capture in this project. The strength of the piece lies in its vast size and the attention to detail I hope to patiently create.
My Original Proposal for BFA Terminal
We're beginning to discuss our artist statements this week. My initial proposal, which was written roughly six months ago, is as follows:
I’ve always been very interested in the city as a place of communication. Within this lively, colorful and densely crowded space, there are literally millions of messages being transmitted at any given moment. Some of these messages are communicated quite directly, by means of expensive corporate ad campaigns that aim at capturing our attention as consumers. Other messages are less direct with their intent, for instance street graffiti. Such scribbles from spray paint and markers are the product of a much different culture, perhaps trying to tell society another story. Still yet, there are signs that direct us where to go, dictate the flow of traffic, and remind us all of the rules and laws we must obey as citizens.
I want to explore different forms of communication within the city. As one part of this project, I intend on using photography in conjunction with Adobe Illustrator. I want to capture images of the city where I feel there is a certain visual language being used to communicate a message we might not typically notice or consider as being relevant to our daily lives. These images will be brought together in a massive collage and re-stylized using a technique I’ve been experimenting with in Adobe Illustrator.
I also wish to explore the concept of communication overload using video as a medium. By displaying brief instances of different kinds of communication in our cities I plan on producing a unique texture of visual chaos that will hopefully represent some of the problems related to our era of “information overload.”
Finally, I plan on using the Situationism movement as well as Guy Deboard as inspiration for my ideas related to the city as a place of intereaction and communication.
I’ve always been very interested in the city as a place of communication. Within this lively, colorful and densely crowded space, there are literally millions of messages being transmitted at any given moment. Some of these messages are communicated quite directly, by means of expensive corporate ad campaigns that aim at capturing our attention as consumers. Other messages are less direct with their intent, for instance street graffiti. Such scribbles from spray paint and markers are the product of a much different culture, perhaps trying to tell society another story. Still yet, there are signs that direct us where to go, dictate the flow of traffic, and remind us all of the rules and laws we must obey as citizens.
I want to explore different forms of communication within the city. As one part of this project, I intend on using photography in conjunction with Adobe Illustrator. I want to capture images of the city where I feel there is a certain visual language being used to communicate a message we might not typically notice or consider as being relevant to our daily lives. These images will be brought together in a massive collage and re-stylized using a technique I’ve been experimenting with in Adobe Illustrator.
I also wish to explore the concept of communication overload using video as a medium. By displaying brief instances of different kinds of communication in our cities I plan on producing a unique texture of visual chaos that will hopefully represent some of the problems related to our era of “information overload.”
Finally, I plan on using the Situationism movement as well as Guy Deboard as inspiration for my ideas related to the city as a place of intereaction and communication.
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