Testing Colours

Tomorrow I will be going into the knit room to start on some physical samples and I'm really looking forward to it. I would say that it is usually in the making stage that most of my ideas start to come about and develop, which is perhaps why I've found it difficult so far. 

I'm hoping to create some samples using the colours I've chosen and then some more plain, muted colours like beiges, creams and light greys to hopefully print on top of. I've been doing some colour work in my sketchbook and also colour wraps and as you can see, the tones have turned out really differently:

The paler shades may work better for the atmosphere I'm trying to achieve, but just to be sure I'm going to make sure I try both as well as any other ideas that might come to me whilst knitting. 

The thought of going into workshops has put my mind at ease.

Marcel Wanders.

Marcel Wanders is a Dutch designer who specialises in interiors, architectural design & furniture. Apparently he's been described as 'the Lady Gaga of design', which I found really funny!

Expo 2000

When I first looked at his work, I noticed that the rooms & spaces created tend to make an instant impact. They're definitely not shy & retiring pieces. They make an impression at first glance & I'm starting to think that might be something that I'd like to try & incorporate into my own work.

In Expo 2000 (pictured) the ice-like reflective floor reminded me of the reflections in the water of the canals. 

Creating an atmosphere...

I've felt a huge sense of relief recently as I've finally been able to visualise an end point. Not being able to figure out where I wanted unit X to go has been really difficult, it's felt as though I've been carrying this big, black cloud over my head.

Speaking with people from other groups as well as tutors has really helped & made me realise that the literal mindset I was in wasn't doing me any favours. I needed to get that 'make a final piece' nonsense out of my head. And now that I've been able to chase away the rain cloud, I can finally think clearly about what it is I'm interested in & what it is that I love about art & textiles.

Right now, the focus is to create a space that is based on the canals around the city centre; however instead of thinking so much about the imagery I'm now thinking about an atmosphere. The areas around the canals have this sense of tranquility & calm. It might sound simple but it's just a lovely place to be & that's the kind of mood that I'd like to bring to the space.

Using the imagery.

I've been unsure on how to use the imagery that I've collected, especially with still being slightly unsure of my end point. I started to do small, simple watercolours in the hope that an idea would spring up. 

I'm not sure why I always take things so literally, I hoped I'd have learned my lesson for this project!

However I think I've finally got it in my head that I don't always have to draw things out. I'm going to move on to a different approach, hopefully it will generate more ideas.

I've started to think more about atmosphere & mood. Looking at Michael Lin's work has given me the idea that maybe I should create some sort of public area.

Arrivals Part2: 6 images.

The task was to select 6 images that I thought summed up the project so far.

So from the top left, clockwise: my first colour wraps, imagining the space in google sketch up, a photo of the canals complete with vidid reflections in the water, Michael Lin's 'Grind', a photo of a goose & the tiny 'goose houses' that I loved & the original Arrivals image of Ledbury High Street.

'The sun makes everything better.'

After the last photo's I took around the canals, I decided to go back & take some more, hoping for brighter weather this time! I had a couple of false starts were I thought the weather was better then it would suddenly start to rain. Typical Manchester.

But when the sun finally showed itself, I was out with my camera.

I thought taking photographs from near enough the same positions was a good idea, just to see how the weather can have an effect on changes in atmosphere & mood. 

Narrowboats & Canals

So I went back to the places I had originally photographed & it's amazing what difference a bit of sun makes. The areas looked so much fresher & just more appealing. The sun had brought out an abundance of narrowboats which was exactly what I was after.

I've been looking into the history of Manchester's canals & how they played an intrinsic part in carrying materials into the city & transporting goods out. So while the canals have an important history, the narrowboats are just something that I feel add character. I just think there's something really charming about a neat row of colourful narrowboats, bobbing along in the sun.

Michael Lin

Michael Lin creates art from & within public spaces, usually with floor or wall pieces.

His work is so bold & colourful & like nothing I've ever seen before. I love the idea of making an art feature out of a cafe or foyer.

'Palais de Tokyo'

'Grind'

In 'Grind' the feature is a combination of wall & floor, almost as though a giant roll of wallpaper has been dropped from the ceiling & rolled across the floor.