Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Straight Lines
Way home
Went to the Tate Modern today. Thought Richter exhibition was on, but got the wrong date. I looked round and made some notes. I find that most works I'm interested in are mixed media and have slightly disjointed elements. I have written a list of artists that I think could connect to my studio work. Will look into more.
Saw a poster (below) of a smeary Richter and thought of a train rushing past. I think I could make the same effect.
Saw a poster (below) of a smeary Richter and thought of a train rushing past. I think I could make the same effect.
On the train
It's lucky I have to commute to get to college. I can start work right away.
I am taking pictures secretly of the commuters opposite me: a middle-aged man keeps yawning as he plays on his phone.. Another military-type is next to him, head resting on the window; older, seemingly worn out. Unusually, he's got no phone with him, just an newspaper crossword which he works at closely, peering over his big glasses.
The man next to him keeps casually peering over at the crossword. He is not particulary interested, but he can't seem to focus on anything. He keeps putting his phone away, then getting it out, closing his eyes, opening them...thinking of the day ahead, maybe... I have the impression that he's very tired.
The important thing, right away, is to get a feel for the people. I wonder about their lives. All the important details of their lives are elsewhere. Here, you see just a surface. There should be a sign over their heads: MIND THE GAP. So much is missing - but on the other hand, this is such a large part of their lives. I need to think about how to deal with this.
One thing I have enjoyed doing in the past is to create a traditional painting from a photo of a very modern scene. The picture above appeals to me.
But then again, I think of Gerhard Richter and his blurred images...
I am taking pictures secretly of the commuters opposite me: a middle-aged man keeps yawning as he plays on his phone.. Another military-type is next to him, head resting on the window; older, seemingly worn out. Unusually, he's got no phone with him, just an newspaper crossword which he works at closely, peering over his big glasses.
The man next to him keeps casually peering over at the crossword. He is not particulary interested, but he can't seem to focus on anything. He keeps putting his phone away, then getting it out, closing his eyes, opening them...thinking of the day ahead, maybe... I have the impression that he's very tired.
The important thing, right away, is to get a feel for the people. I wonder about their lives. All the important details of their lives are elsewhere. Here, you see just a surface. There should be a sign over their heads: MIND THE GAP. So much is missing - but on the other hand, this is such a large part of their lives. I need to think about how to deal with this.
One thing I have enjoyed doing in the past is to create a traditional painting from a photo of a very modern scene. The picture above appeals to me.
But then again, I think of Gerhard Richter and his blurred images...
Monday, 3 October 2011
Oliver Reed
Must see if I can get hold of a copy of Oliver Reed's photo of a girl writing a text message on a train. I saw it at the 2011 NPG Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition. Just the right kind of 'secret' snap. Here it is! A Text Message. I like the way the girl sits in her own space, completely absorbed in what she is doing.
What comes to mind
Gerhard Richter. The blurred images. They look like photos from a moving train.
Thinking of taking pictures of commuters, tired, on the way to or from office.
Remember a photograph by Doug Dubois, of his commuter father. It looks like an oil painting.
Thinking of taking pictures of commuters, tired, on the way to or from office.
Remember a photograph by Doug Dubois, of his commuter father. It looks like an oil painting.
Idea
Thinking about first project. Everything I have been interested in up to now has been to do with everyday life. Ordinary things. So thinking about a theme like commuting, for example. Maybe Back & Forth or Coming & Going. Or just Commute.
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