Extended research
Heading into Unit 2, I started to question, what is a book object? and what can book objects be? Also I began to explore the conflict between my tradition and my current cultural position. Having a conversation with Leora Brook about cultural interaction, I approached the idea of conceptual book art and used the conflicts on book objects.
By using book objects as media for delivering messages into my work, I broke away from the idea of book objects of traditional concept. I wanted to develop the ideas and expand the scale of the book object. So I am trying to place the book in the form of a architecture.
Lakov Georgievich CHERNIKHOV (1889-1951), The Laws of Construction
My researched was Influenced by CHERNIKHOV's The Law of construction, "every new construction is the result of a human being's investigations, and of his requirement to be inventive and creative." I visited and examined architecture at the architectural museum in V&A, also exploring the connection of the college building and everyday space. Because I want seek to an idea of how to connect my book objects from the connections and buildings as I want to portray in a unique way about my personal modernism like encountering Korean culture and British culture.
Research for Constructivism architecture
![Screenshot_20230512_230656[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_76fb6150d98f4c28a24acd4145db5b5c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_91,h_89,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Screenshot_20230512_230656%5B1%5D.jpg)
![Screenshot_20230512_231653[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_e88f4f663eda4d89a78defac93241fbe~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_89,h_89,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Screenshot_20230512_231653%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
Camberwell college
The connection between the different spacese
![20230518_141723[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_c47a27327c8445a5bdfe13c39de8e352~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_67,h_89,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/20230518_141723%5B1%5D.jpg)
The connection between the different places
![20230513_163733[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_c147fe0eb291406ebe3c895aa6a49173~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_67,h_89,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/20230513_163733%5B1%5D.jpg)
![20230513_163145[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_7f91e40b7824497bbb5df2eabba43dcd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_144,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/20230513_163145%5B1%5D.jpg)
Deconstructivism in Architecture, V & A
Hand nail sketch
![20230521_201722[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_1490ad30bd474d76abe60f4798eb37a3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_110,h_147,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/20230521_201722%5B1%5D.jpg)
![Screenshot_20230520_234807[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_71bc8ceaca164810aee78428d4ffc9a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_124,h_48,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Screenshot_20230520_234807%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
Card modelling
![Screenshot_20230520_234807[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e41e8_2948abe8cde948afb4ec610c0fc78695~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_123,h_49,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Screenshot_20230520_234807%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
An experiment was conducted to connect two books and one panel. This is to connect my past with the present and portray how they interact. I like the second model, since the 90-degree angle is like turning a page of a book. I also consider the third model as an alternative, because I should be considering to support the centre of gravity when the objects is big and heavy. However, if I produce this on a large scale, I realized that the weight of the material should be considered for stable installation. To solve the problem, I decided to choose the plywood recommended by Leo, as it is lighter than MDF. Next, I considered coming up with the idea of making supports with small plywood pieces on the floor to fix the object in place.
When researching about this topic, I had to take into consideration about the laws of construction.
The third law: 'a fully constructive combination is obtained when elements are grouped together in a way that creates harmonic relationships between them.'
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the fourth law: 'elements amalgamated into a new entity form a construction when they penetrate or embrace each other, are coupled or bedded together, i.e. when they demonstrate their active participation in the movement of union' (The Laws of Construction)
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In Unit 1, my main experiment was Hanji, whilst also exploring the combination of Korean paper with printmaking pigments. Through the researching and studying Hanji, it was found that the strong ingredient was Dak fibre from mulberry trees.
While appreciating the folding screens at the Korean Wave exhibition, I studied silk, the main material, and I could see that silk was also made of Dak fibre. Both Korean paper and silk were used as the main materials of painting in Korean art tradition, but in contemporary art, they are also used in crafts and fashion, since Dak paper is strong and tough. I have been exploring to make a book out of silk paper, a contemporary material. Not only does it work with PVA, it's tougher than Hanji whist having the oriental aesthetics.
Silk is made from mulberry tree, meaning it is tough and adheres well to wood. However, since Hanji is thin and transparent, it is better to add a layer of Hanji on the plywood when attaching images. Next, I experimented with wood panels to see how to display my image and connect between structures.
When I cut down the wood, it cuts wider than I intended. I have learnt 5 tips from Tim, the wood technician to prevent this issue from the future.
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Mark with sharp pencil
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First cut
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Measure again from the first cut
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Cut inside the line
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Measure twice and cut once
Through my exploration of constructivist art and architecture, I have made the deliberate choice to utilize cost-effective materials like plywood in my practice. My intention is to delve into the realms of artistic value, aesthetics, and functionality, while simultaneously expressing artistic expression through acts of destruction. By doing so, I seek to break free from my traditional thought values and embrace new concepts, as I have long grappled with the tension between tradition and innovation.
As a result, in Unit 3, I have planned to further develop these ideas and concepts. Inspired by the insightful discussions held during the reading group, I have decided to incorporate the notion of limited edition into my artistic practice. The objective is to create prints that amalgamate elements of painting and transform them into sculptural artworks. It is worth emphasizing that these prints can be produced in multiple copies through various printing techniques, including photography. While this may attenuate some of the inherent functionality and uniqueness of each individual artwork, it grants a wider accessibility and enables broader dissemination of my artistic vision.
References
Website: African art and architecture, Available at, http://www.kmtspace.com/chernikhov3.htm
Text: Saying Goodbye to Rafael Viñoly, the Creator of Prize-Winning Buildings Around the World. Available at, https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/rafael-vinoly-obituary
Book: Mark Wigley The art of deconstruction, The MIT press, London
Book: K.E. GOVER, Are All Multiples the Same? The Problematic Nature of the Limited Edition
Book: Douglas Davis, The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction, An Evolving Thesis:1991-1995