Contextual: Hans Bellmer

Hans Bellmer (13 March 1902 - 23 February 1975)

"He initiated his doll project to oppose the fascism of the Nazi Party by declaring that he would make no work that would support the new German state. Represented by mutated forms and unconventional poses, his dolls were directed specifically at the cult of the perfect body then prominent in Germany."

I have always been interested in the idea of removing or altering something to change how people see it. I was having trouble on trying to find ways of working with concepts that I find interesting into this project. But the human body is instantly recognisable, even in its crudest representations. But how would the body look of I altered major defining aspects, such as the head, torso or arms?
The idea of mirroring objects came from my earlier facial prints, and while I really like the effect of using paint to do this, I felt like I could communicate this idea better through the use of photography and minor editing. The effects I used are basic to say the least, and the idea really came out of nowhere.

 

 

The human body has the ability to create so many emotions in people, but it is the ability to unsettle that I find the most intriguing. The naked body has many connotations, sexual and otherwise. But can nudity be used to unsettle and disgust? While these were done on a whim of inspiration, this is a concept that I would like to come back to at a later date.

These images have been heavily inspired by one of my favourite artists, Hans Bellmer. Contextual work to follow.

Recently, I have been looking into the space my body occupies within my own space, such as my physical surroundings. I believe that this is an interesting concept and I wish I had decided on something as simple earlier in the year, with that said, I doubt I would be confident enough to step outside of my comfort zone if I didn't feel so lost in regards to my work for so long.
I find mirroring images to be an interesting method of showing the body, even if it isn't groundbreaking it is effective.
Basically I painted my face using red lino paint and placing a piece of paper over my face. The nose and lips in the center is my face looking straight on, while the left and right profiles are the result of bending the sheet over both sides of my face.
Hopefully more attractive work to follow!

sickness and a crushing lack of inspiration

The last two weeks have been a complete disaster for me as both my college attendance and ability to create work has suffered. Now that I am well again I feel that I have the chance to really redeem myself and make amends for my shortcomings.
Over the past few weeks I have been looking into objects around my own space, and the relationship between these objects and my own body. I will hopefully have a series based around this concept completed for my assessment on the 8th of January 2013.

Back to the start

After meeting with my tutor today, we discussed where I was going with the cocoon idea and I was advised to go back to my original idea of "creating a sense of a large, open space in a confined space". I feel like there is more chances of exploration here, even if it is more difficult. I have decided to find some confined spaces and photograph them.

Cocoons

During last week, I started making 'cocoon' like structures out of chicken wire and thin fabric. I soaked the fabric in water and ink first and attached it to the wire shell using liquid latex.
In reality, you are able to see through the fabric and into the cocoon.