2356QCA Ideas and Images: WEEK 1 and 2 : COLLAGE: ‘ Material Thinking’

Theorists

Edmund Husserl - transendental Phenomenology
1901 ... hated the reliance of science even tho he was a mathematician.
He proposed, "what if you have an object but do not know its purpose"
Hasserl - reduction methodology
Suspended meaning and associations.

Martin Heidegger, JP Sarte , Maurice Meleu-Ponty - Exestencial phenomenology

1. COLLAGE: ‘ Material Thinking’

Through the collision of disparate images and surfacesthe process of collage continually swings between opposing realms of experience, from the permanent to the fragmented, the structured to the chaotic. How collage artists navigate their response within these realms often relies on the juxtaposition of images or surfaces that instil the work with unexpected meanings and associations. These out of the blue interplays often come from an instinctive response towards the fundamental elements of line, shape, value, texture, and colour.

For this initial collage exercise you will not be given any guidelines in terms of the ‘aboutness’ of your series of works but simply encouraged to recognise your most innate intuitive response in the collecting of random and disparate images.

BRIEF: From the resource material supplied students are to collect approximately 20 separate images and complete a series of three collage works. The images can be very deliberately cut with scissors or stencil blade or simply torn from the pages of the resource material. Be conscious of engaging with a variety of images and don’t stick to one resource for your collection. The style of images may be figurative or purely abstract surfaces. The decision to cut or to tearand how that action is juxtaposed with other edges becomesa fundamental part of the overall feel to your piece. At some point the introduction of another medium may also be considered.

Essentially these works will rely upon the most basic intuitive response from students. Without a specific concept or narrative you have full creative license over the associations you set in place. Once you have gathered a selection of images asuggested starting point is to spread them out in front of you and begin playing with possible associations. Take time to allow images and shapes to suggest how they might come together butjust as crucially be aware of what needs to bediscarded.

Materials: A2 [Canson]300gsm white card x 3 [or cartridge paper A2 x3]scissors, stencil blade knife[optional] 1cm and 2cm flat brushes, charcoal, 2B or 6B pencil. PVA glue will be supplied.

2. COLLAGE: Extending the Medium

Within its often-‐minimal approach collage allows the artist to dissolve many inessential elements and in doing so provides the most direct method for interpreting perceptions and everyday experience. This very direct approach to creating collage can also be used as a basis for discovering new associations when re-‐interpreted through other mediums. The broadening of cut-‐up collage technique into another medium can often bring one to a closer understanding of a certain subject matter.

BRIEF: The exercise in this lesson can be viewed as a sequel to the series of works created in the previous lesson. As a way of extending your interpretive skills this exercise requires that you develop one or more of the collage piecesyou completed in the first lesson by reinterpreting it in a medium of your own choice.This broadening of the original work may also include collage fi you wish but predominantly the work is to be reinterpreted with a totally new medium.Drawing, painting and mixed media are all worthy options but please don’t let time restrictions desist you from being more ambitious if you see the potential for your original collage works to be reinterpreted in three dimensional form or filmic sketches.

If you feel somewhat underwhelmed by your collage efforts from the first lesson find a photocopier and begin by altering your original pieces as a way of reinvigorating its associations then use this as your starting point. Photoshop may also offer another form of altering your original collage pieces.

Materials: Students must come prepared with whatever medium and backingthey wish to use so please give this serious thought between lessons.

CONCEPT:
Furthering my explorations into identity, in particular the self. Viewing people devoid of race gender language etc.