Summer work 2010

The below is a record of the work I have been carrying out over the summer. I am developing my question but I do not feel until I have a greater knowledge about my chosen research field - crafting - that I can come up with a question.

Books:

McGovern, U. (2009) Lost crafts: rediscovering traditional skills. Edinburgh: Chambers
Quinn, T. (2010) Mastercrafts : rediscovering British craftsmanship. Cincinnati, Ohio : David & Charles
Berger, S. (2006) Readymade : how to make (almost) everything : a do-it-yourself primer. London : Thames & Hudson
Johnstone, K. (2007) Impro: improvisation and the theatre. London : Methuen Drama

Exhibitions and workshops:

Various. (2010) How time flies: Gardening. London: Camden Arts Centre. 21 July 2010.
Various. (2010) How time flies: Knit, Stitch and Sew. London: Camden Arts Centre. 14 July 2010.
Various. (2010) How time flies: Craft. London: Camden Arts Centre. 7 July 2010.
Various. (2010) Jerwood Contemporary Makers. London: Jerwood Visual Arts. 17 June - 25 July 2010.
James Mylne. (2010) Private Art Show. London: The Firehouse. 24 June 2010.
Various. (2010) MA textile Futures Degree Show. London: Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. 18 June - 24 June 2010.
Various. (2010) MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments Degree Show. London: Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. 18 June - 24 June 2010.
Various. (2010) MA Industrial. Design Degree Show. London: Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. 18 June - 24 June 2010.
Various. (2010) BA Product Design Degree Show. London: Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. 18 June - 24 June 2010.
Various. (2010) BA Ceramic Design Degree Show. London: Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. 18 June - 24 June 2010.
Various. (2010) Summer Open Studios. London: Cockpit Arts. 11 June - 13 June 2010.
Various. (2010) Summer Open Studios. London: Great Western Studios. 5 June - 6 June 2010.

Websites:

http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/channel

http://www.materia.nl

http://www.creative-choices.co.uk

http://www.fashioningtech.com/

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/funding/public-engagement/grants/arts-awards/index.htm

http://www.cimss.vt.edu/research/current_projects.html

http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~database/MEMS/sma_mems/smrt.html

http://department.fzu.cz/ofm/sma//

http://www.design-technology.info/alevelsubsite/page11.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/designerproducts/

http://www.yourdiscovery.com/technology/basic_materials/smart/index.shtml

http://www.agrfoto.com/philipball/docs/pdf/Oxford_smart_materials.pdf

http://www.iom3.org/content/smart-materials-and-systems

http://www.iheartswitch.com/

http://www.asci.org/artikel1095.html

All of my reading and exhibitions and workshops have directed me to further areas of interest. There are some quite random books in there, and probably will be going forward, which I hope will just help develop my imagination and creativity.

At the moment I seem very far off from creating a precise and concise question that encompasses my interests and passions in this field.

My initial ideas have changed dramatically from the idea of green roofs, and throughout the summer my journey has taken me down a variety of quite different paths.

Japanese hybrid textile

I have found only a little information about a new process, where woven textiles are made from silk and urushi lacquered wall paper. These two traditional Japanese techniques and materials are employed to create a hybrid  textile used for luxury home accessories.

Artquest Jumble Sale

Today I went to the annual artquest jumble sale to see what other designer makers and artists manage to accumulate in the name of the 'creative process'!

It was very intriguing, and from the collections you really couldn't tell what creative process people were involved in. It was another interesting adventure along the lines of my Collections project.

The whole day was infact filled with markets, sales an fairs in the East End and was as ever truly inspired. There were some great ideas for my jewellery collection also.

How time flies: knit, stitch and sew

tonight I went to the Camden Arts Centre for the first time, it was great fun, amazing building, great exhibitions, talks and workshops, and of course most importantly a wonderful, well-stocked bookshop.

I went for a workshop called How time flies: knit, stitch and sew It was the first of a series of events I have registered to attend to help with my Masters, celebrating crafts and making as social pastimes. There are activities that have traditionally drawn individuals and communities together to share knowledge and experience in a social context. In this spirit artists, amateurs, experts and makers have been invited to the Café and Garden to share their enthusiasm and knowledge – each will have a different focus offering demonstrations and a chance to learn new skills. Overall I found the evening extremely enjoyable, with my favourite artist was Serena Korda, she photographed photos of old men's tattoos in pubs and put them onto a material, which she then encouraged groups of ladies to embroider in their own way over tea and cake.


OLD MEN'S FLESH
Ena holding the artwork. Embroidery on linen, 2005 – 2010

Extraordinary Measures

Found a wonderful exhibition I wish I could go to at Belsay Hall in Northumberland. Slinkachu is in great company... there's even a Garden of Unearthly Delights...

Made from bamboo pulp, and have the feel of solid fibreboard.

I have been carrying out a lot of research on interesting new materials lately, so I will start to make a note of the ones that appeal to me the most here in my blog.  I do not know if I will use any of these or what ideas might develop from learning about their functions, but I hope they will inspire me to come up with new ways of collaborating the old and the new. 

Reef Sculpture

Jason deCaires Taylor's La Silenciosa is being installed in the National Marine Park of Cancun, designed to form a reef structure that will be colonised by marine life, the sculptures represent the diversity of the human race. I would love to dive round these in a few years when are really established.