Exporation of The ICA

Institute of Contemporary Art 

Jacob Kassay

  

 The work was interesting to an extent. The main idea was that as people walked by they would in a sense be interacting with the pieces. Because they were just painted (with a slight amount of texture)silver as you would walk by there would be a glimpse of a figure. Personally i think the concept sounds more appealing than the actual pieces, not to say they were grotesque (infact they were rather beautiful) but that the work was not as striking as one was led to believe. Possibly if the artist had explained in more depth as to what he was thinking while creating, I would have enjoyed it more. 

As an artist this was Jacob Kassys' first solo exhibition in a public gallery.

AD Reinhard 

Thoroughly enjoyed this part of the exhibition, AD Reinhardt had designed a series of comic-esque illustrations discussing a wide variety of ideas. Some were ironic and funny, others were deep and almost philosophical. He questions art and designer, but also the makers them selves. Poking fun at them, mocking them with their own work which is a risque move. In fact its rather ironic he is ultimately taking the piss out of the creative world when in reality he is part of it. One quote in particular stood out, It is now on the cover of the sketchbook; Art is not a bag of trade-tricks of hack-skills, a property of the few, but a dangerous propaganda for changing and controlling the world so that everyone can be creative'

Sleuthing through my sketchbook

Page from sketchbook..investigating textures, layers, and colours of slums, poor sanitation, over population, disease, and grime. Throughout the sketchbook natural colours are used to create a 'mood' within the book, a mood of distressing, dark times. The use of layers on this page, and generally through the sketchbook is key. Using layers of different media unique effects and colours are achieved. They add to the mood creating depth. The book is heavily textured to portray the polluted slums, and grimey conditions. On this particular page many media have been used, wax, lentils, barley, plastic, coffee, tea, ink, paint, tin foil, and combinations of them all.

Layers of lentils, ink, paint and coffe have been used to imitate the growth of bacteria.

 

further along in the sketchbook, experimentation of stuffing things to create 3D cholera imitations appears. Pictures of the sample to the left show it has been used around the neck and chest area to suggest infection creeping up the body, entering the mouth, and festering in the body.

Although the idea of infection is a grim one, the objects have been 'decorated' using bright colours, and atempt to make bacteria beautiful, accepted, and possibly not feared?

 

The above image is one of a diving page, representing the beginning of the 3D workshop. The page is not particularity significant in its self, bu the beautiful deep layers and colours that are shown are full of emotion. Possibly suggesting a take over-infection, or possibly bacteria festering under the layers of dirt. The colours are natural and graduated, from dark to light, adding to the notion of disease and its ability to grow and multiply.

Task 2- Blog entry- Critical review

The peer assessment was very intimidating at first, but it turned out to be very useful. I was nervous to show my work, because I was worried as to what people would think- or even if they would understand it- due to my lack of organisation.
These insecurities started when we were laying our work out on the tables. I was not feeling very confidant because my sketchbook was not in a book like evryone elses, but rather in a very uninviting pile. I realized at this point how important presentation was.
My project still is not properly organized within a sketchbook, I have not done so because I am not finished creating samples, and drawing. This is a method I have been using for a while, in which I produce all of my drawings, research, and experiments first then organize it all. I work this was so I can clearly see all of the connections and links, but also the flaws and weak areas in my project. This approach also makes me immune to the white page syndrome, which I suffer from ! I find it a lot easier to work outside of a sketchbook so I am not confined within a book, in which I can make mistakes, and regrets in.
Generally this method is very effective for me, however, it is considerably time consuming and almost overwhelming when I have to put an entire sketchbook together. I am thinking that when I have to organize all of my work that I will give myself more time and start the process earlier.

When comparing my project to others I noticed that I was severely lacking in contextual research- that of artists, exhibitions and museums. This is, I think a major part of our projects and its something I need to bulk up on for the assessment. I'm planning on going to several exhibitions, museums, and the library to fix this problem before it is to late.

The experience of having our friends "secretly" assesing our work was very nerve wracking but in the end it turned out rather useful, and helped with my confidance. Someone left me a note in my 'pile' complimtenting me on my wide variety of media and scale I had used while doing my drawings. I was thirlled by this, and my confidance got such a boost off of that. Especially since I had actively made sure I used a lot of different medias and scales so the drawings would not get boring or repetitive.
The idea of using a wide variety of scale is a very important part of my project, because I have focused on something so miniscule (cholera) that to see it - or a portrail of it- on a large scale is almost bazaar, and in someways beautiful. I have tried to use as many medias as possible because each tool weather it be paint or wax reacts differently, especially when mixed together. They also project different emotions and 'vibes'.
This 'mini-assesment' has helped me pinpoint my weaknesses and strengths, it has also helped with my openness (with my work) and confidence levels, although it was rather daunting !