CAP Year 3 Negotiated Self Directed Work Proposal

So a bit late to this party, as most people had done this weeks ago. But I have thought through and written a proposal which I was hoping to discuss today. Sadly tutor is ill, but I have decided to put it out in any case as I hope that will hope me to focus on work - or more specifically, work that matters; something I find tricky sometimes. Haven't done the 'negotiated' bit yet. Having read it again, I find it a bit pompous. Probably I'll reword it.

Proposal

What are you intending to investigate or explore by making this body of work? 

Firstly, I wish to improve my Illustration practice, exploring ‘Illustration’ in the broadest sense. I’m not sure where this will take me, but I have a short time to work this out, so I will work on a number of prototypes until one takes the fore. This will be the visible focus of this semester’s work.

Figure 1: Adventure game/story based on Alice through the looking glass.

These works could take the form of adventure stories (figures 1 and 2) or the form of a fictional or autobiographical catalogue with artefacts (figures 3 and 4.), I want these to move beyond the book.

Figure 2: This box is haunted an adventure game/story based on 1950s horror comics.

I am also interested in producing books/comics/posters on anatomy - aimed at children perhaps and not particularly accurate; imparting some information and having fun is a big part of it, but so is the grotesque.

Figure 3: A personal reflection, parts of which maybe fictional, contains artefacts that are relevant to the story.

Figure 4: Mechanisms a story with fictional artefacts. Based on an earlier work.

Secondly I am fascinated by the interaction between technology, and art. This realises itself in the development of interactive machines. These are ‘arcade’ style machines, which I hope to be coin-operated. Some inspiration has been drawn from using AI to generate some images such as figure 5. This could also be the subject of an artists’ book. This work will done as ‘skunkwork’ as it has a high probability of failure. 

Figure 2: Dawn AI generated iamge, as are some in the Mechanisms box above.

What will be your main areas of research?

I am currently seeking out similar products and work, spending time in the library and visiting exhibitions. In particular I am researching the following:

• Puzzle/adventure books.
• Anatomy: I am currently fascinated and looking into a number of sources - wax anatomical bodies, the work of Fritz Kahn for example.
• Fairgrounds/arcades - low-brow/accessible entertainments and shows. The issue of accessibility as in making things that ‘non-art’ people can appreciate - note I didn’t use the word enjoy

Do you foresee any need to use specialist equipment and, if so, what?

I am trying to avoid too much specialist equipment - and amseeking to obtain my own where this is possible. But the university does have some technology that will speed up work, so I shall make use of the workshops. 

• Lasercutter
• Metalwork/woodwork
• Large format scanning
• Additionally I shall acquire a drawing board - last year I found a broken one and repaired it.

What are your anticipated strengths in this area and how might you draw on them? 

• I don’t accept ‘orthodoxy’ probably age. as well as attitude. I can understand (sometimes) new technologies and embrace them.
• Ability to draw: As demonstrated.
• Curiosity: I am always looking for new stuff. This is both a strength but also a weakness as it leads to procrastination.

What are your anticipated weaknesses and how might you overcome them?

My main weaknesses are flitting from one thing to another, never finishing. 

• Procrastination: make lists, avoid screen time.
• Inability to focus: ditto.
• Never finishing anything: I just have to start something and then finish it. 
• Complicating things: this can be a strength, but is often a weakness as I addintricate details. I must learn to stop.