Module: Masters Project

Discussion:

I explained to Susanne how I’m feeling a sense of trepidation as to how the complex Masters Project will work.

As I’m currently sourcing a programmer to help with the online aspect, I installed some pieces in locations last night ready for a test group to begin.

Susanne helped me consider a few aspects that I was definitely looking over. Instead of trying to rely on anonymous members of the public to go on the journey, why don’t I consider an invited audience? Target people that may be interested in such a project; geo-cachers, schools, think about ages and demographics. This certainly frees up my worries of who would actually go on the journey – granted though I only need to perform this project once as an assessable project, it’s beneficial for me to consider “real world” participants. For this reason, I should make the testing aspect “real world” and get people to really go on it – these people will be my test group.

There was talk about how to advertise this project to people too. How would I go about getting people to start the journey? Social media or advertising?

There were other aspects I overlooked too. Do I communicate a message that people can relate too? Or does it have to be global issues? I still believe it has to be global issues, as this has been the nature of my work from the start. It has always been about global issues in a local context. However I do recognise Susanne’s point of, “Would your Average Joe relate to it?”

Something else I did not consider was side effects. What outcomes might happen that could further impact how people experience the journey. I believe I will uncover these during the testing phase.

Action Agreed:

Find a group to go on the testing journey as well as a programmer to assist in the online section.

Module: Masters Project

Discussion:

Today I was updating Chris with the development of the Masters Project.

We discussed how the intricacies of the project would work as this has been an area of concern. I had in my head that the person finding the instructions, would go to the website only once and go off on a journey. Chris suggested that this may not be enough interaction between the offline and online aspects. Can I not put it in place that the person goes back to the website after each destination? In some ways their progress can then be charted to mirror both worlds.

I mentioned this idea briefly in my sketchbook but it took our discussion today to point it out.

We talked about the use of psychology within my project too. I need to choose the correct language that will resonate with people’s minds because I can’t afford to be vague, cryptic or misleading. I mentioned this briefly in my sketch book too, by using persuasive language, encouraging imagery and incentive subject matter.

We also discussed what my choices are for Coursework 2. Perhaps I can explore the power of psychology within street art and examine how this may be used by artists today.

Action Agreed:

At week four now, I need to be making definite steps towards starting the project. I’m completing a plan for myself to stick to which outlines what the pieces of street art will be. As I’m nearly finished this I feel I am on good time and can begin on making the pieces of street art in question.

I need to outsource a programmer that will be able to help me with the online section of the project. I will make a start on finding someone capable of this.

I want to see if a global journey can in exist in the world’s biggest village

For the purpose of the Masters Project there will be one journey, however after my time spent on the Masters there nature of the Project allows for subsequent journeys to be made.

Should art/design always ask a question? Am I asking a question? It seems that my Masters Project is highlighting themes and issues that currently exist without addressing a question or adding to that field. Again, should art/design always ask a question? I want to say no. I believe it’s possible to communicate a thought or an emotion through art/design just as much as it’s possible to highlight issues through art/design.

At the minute I’m working backwards. I was coming up with street art ideas, coming up with this journey I want people to go on without properly addressing the reason for it or what it is I’m trying to say overall. At the minute, I want that reason to be exposure. I want people in the streets of Belfast to be exposed to themes and issues outside of their lives. I don’t necessarily want to provoke a reaction, but want to see if a global journey can in exist in the world’s biggest village.

Module: Masters Project

Discussion:

As part of the work I’m doing for the Masters Project, I feel as though I’ve came to a fork in the road and was a little unsure of which direction to take.

I was describing to Nick today this journey I want the public to go on – how they are presented with various pieces of street art along the way and that it all has an environmental theme to it. I drew up two conclusions as to how the direction of the project should go, Option A has lots of work involved and generally needs more money, Option B is the opposite.

Our discussion didn’t necessarily reflect which direction I should take but more to do with, “What is the ultimate message I’m trying to convey?” I have in my head all these pieces of street art I wish to do and seem to be just injecting them into this Masters Project without a purpose. I should have in my head a primary message I wish to convey, the method of how that is achieved should be secondary.

In an epiphany sort of way, Nick asked me, “What is the purpose of the journey?” The danger is that I risk having lots of disjointed pieces of street art with no clear message wrapping it all up.

Action Agreed:

I need to take some time to think about what is the message I want people to hear/see/experience? There’s a bigger concept here and I need to see it.

Nick suggested I ask myself (and in some respects other people), “Why should people in N. Ireland care about water shortages in Africa?” This is one message I’ve put out through Earth Divided. A relevant message for my Masters Project might be, “Why should people in N. Ireland care water charges?” This is an issue that would hit home with people here.

Personally, I think these are two schools of thought and while I can see Nick’s point, I like the tone and voice of the various Earth Divided messages. I believe these messages affect everybody and open people’s eyes to the world around them. One of the problems N. Ireland has is that it barely looks beyond it’s own borders and fails to see the rest of the world.

In an effort to spark off some inspiration I borrowed a few books from the library. Berlin Street Art by Sven Zimmermann is, as the title suggests, street art from Berlin. While it’s a nice book, it’s mostly about sticker art, a compilation of images from lots of little districts. It makes for an interesting flick through. The second book was Urban Recreation by Akay and Peter Baranowski aka Barsky Brothers, two Swedish artists (one who refuses to be called an artist) that reject spray cans and wheat paste for really rare installations and fun work.

Urban Recreation gathers their work from 2003 – 2006 and it’s a truly inspirational read. There is an interview from each artist at the back – it’s fresh to find artists who aren’t full of their own self worth and care so much for their work in an almost child-like way. They are interested in livening up a dull city, Stockholm. What struck me from the pages was the use words they use to describe their work, “playground” “fun” and “hilarious.” These are meanings I never thought street art could be. Why should it always carry a deep and meaningful significance? I began thinking my work is fairly close to these meanings. They are serious yes, but I never want the work shout at the public, telling them how they should care for the environment. I drew the line 50/50 in regards to my approach and want the public to observe it and make up their own minds.

Tourists

Traffic Island

Zoo

City Swings

In the book when describing “City Swings” the Barsky Brothers say:

There is something simply charming and disarming about swings. It’s hard to describe the feeling of watching crowds of people hurrying along the sidewalks, then suddenly seeing someone break way, take a seat, and start swinging. It’s like love. There’s a feeling of instant affection for any individual who would stop everything and just take advantage of the moment, allowing herself to get swept away.

I think this really sums up how they work. How they want to break the monotony of everyday life for the residents of Stockholm. Having been there a few years ago I wish I knew to keep my eyes peeled for their work!

So it’s all good being inspired, but what can I learn from the Barsky Brothers? It’s ok to have fun with the work I’m doing. To not be afraid of what I have to say. To make a mark.

Module: Masters Project

Discussion:

Today’s tutorial was to get Chris up to speed with progress over the past week. So far I’m on track with the development side of things. By writing everything down such as reasoning and the justification of some of the ways I’d like to implement the work, it was agreed that I’m heading in the right direction.

Everything I’ve been researching, analyzing and been inspired by is good and relevant too and should continue to do so.

Chris has encouraged me to stay on track and keep things at this pace. I aim to have this stage of the work finished for the end of next week. By then I’ll be able to have some prototyping finished and get a rough functioning version of what I wish to achieve through the Masters Project. This is should be a good course of action to take as it may throw up some warning flags or further areas I can develop. A good idea would be to include some of the first year students as it means the testing is carried out on people who have no previous knowledge of my work, that way the project is given a fair trial run before it goes live.

Action Agreed:

“Keep on rollin’”