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Writer's pictureAdam Evans

Week 9: Formative Assessment (ART723)

Updated: May 14, 2023

Week Beginning 27th March 2023

Formative Feedback


I intended to showcase an A1 research poster displaying my findings regarding the environmental issue, Deforestation. Alongside this I intend to create and develop a thesis and possibly a series of prints or photographic works about forests and the threats they face regarding deforestation within the UK., again like the previous module I will be Exploring themes of nature and landscape in the process, as areas of interest. (I plan to react creatively to my findings and to be informed by my research in regards to what I create and develop)

A brief look at the initial brainstorming stages and development.


I accomplished these tasks by using various methods. Using both practical and theoretical knowledge to progress. Using research methods and methodologies gathered and learnt whilst reading "Visual Methodologies" by Gillian Rose.


  • Researching INTO the subject using critical studies of practices, historical studies, and past collections etc. This includes artist research, both primary and secondary research and imagery, analysis of past art collections and gallery visits. (This is all documented within my research folder, to be presented upon request). This also includes a placement at Thetford Forest, developing an understanding of the deforestation effects within Norfolk and the efforts to tackle this issue, such as replantation and preservation of dwindling species.

  • Researching THROUGH performing the acts of printmaking and/or photography as processes, developing ideas and works along with experimentation. This experimentation took place in the form of wet cyanotypes and illustration pieces similar to the previous module.


As documented within my blog, I began by sketching and responding creatively to my found research. I also continued to collect found objects whilst on my placement, in order to continue my experimentation in the field of cyanotypes, continued from the previous module. I originally had the idea of creating many photographic pieces, almost a cyanotype forest built up by using found barks and wood chippings etc., connecting the pieces together in a possible booklet format, this was something I explored within the previous module but would love to develop further in the coming weeks. I wanted to create something which was strong and beautiful in appearance but was too be destroyed by a devastating process such as cutting or burning. This of course portraying the deforestation element, the tree being a symbol of beauty and a structure which stands strong and powerful, yet it can be cut down as a result of deforestation in an instant.


During my fieldtrips into the countryside, local areas and my placement within Thetford Forest, I found many opportunities to respond to my environment by sketching and photographing my surroundings. I began experimenting with what kind of imagery I could use for final pieces.

I took several photographs, initially digital photographs using my mobile phone and then I moved to analogue photography techniques. After capturing these photographs of trees and the canopy above, I developed the films and created contact sheets. I then chose which images might work best and scanned the negatives into my computer. These were then converted onto black and white and reverted into both positive and negative images. In order for me to explore which worked best during the cyanotype process.


I found critically engaging with my environment through playful and experimental means helped influence my creative journey, it inspired me to develop my ideas further, from 2D to 3D. I almost viewed walking and recording as a way to unearth stories about the landscape around me.

  • ACTION RESEARCH: Testing ideas, peer group discussions, exhibitions, practice led research. I have also conducted field work throughout this module to inform my research and rate of study.

  • Researching FOR, collecting source materials and acquiring techniques and skills to produce outcomes. (Gathering both primary and secondary research and attending workshops).

Drawings of various species of tree, Oak, Pine & Birch


I aim to demonstrate my development and progression through the presence of an online blog/WordPress. And visual progression is to be stored within sketchbooks and workbooks throughout the year as evidence. These will be coherent and available for referencing as and where necessary. I will also produce a thesis/reflective review alongside my online and visual documentations.


Methods of working: Studio work, printmaking workshops, research visits, trips to galleries and exhibitions, creative/critical writing, location drawing, fieldtrips, sketchbook development, WordPress, (Blog updates)


Outcomes: An A1 Research Poster, Thesis and series of prints or photographic works about forests and the threats they face regarding deforestation and climate change.

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A1 Research Poster

Poster Displayed within the forest


ART723 Research Poster displaying The Environmental Impacts Of Deforestation on Forests within the united Kingdom: (Thetford Forest as my main point of interest), After the presentation I aim to print the final draft out on handmade paper sized A1. (As pictured) I'm thinking possibly a lighter coloured paper to display the text and imagery with clarity.



Cyanotype Pieces

Cyanotype on Wood Pieces displayed within the Forest

Whilst on placement at Thetford Forest, I took part in aiding Forestry England colleagues to tariff (take stock) of the species of tree within the forest. This included photographing, drawing and documenting the trees growth and comprising an in depth analysis of the changes compared to the year previous. I developed the idea of cataloging the species of tree in artwork form using the techniques of alternative photography and cyanotype. The idea developed after photographing the close up textures of each individual tree we were cataloging and printing them via the cyanotype process. I then blocked circular shapes out of the cyanotype to allow me to sketch/draw the tree in which the bark belonged too, creating an almost identification card for each species/Individual tree.

Booklets




Burning and Destroying pieces

After creating the above pieces using the cyanotype process and illustration methods. I began thinking these pieces were unique and beautiful like the tress themselves, a true representation of the actual physical forms I was observing, so why were they being destroyed and deforested? and how could I portray this devastation within the artwork itself? I began creating art works in order to destroy them, whether this be by burning, cutting or ripping. In terms of creatively interpreting the research I wanted to create pieces which invoke emotions such as guilt by creating Id profiles of each species, capturing them with such beauty and elegance also narrates their story, their growth, informing my previous subject of the memoires they may contain so by destroying this narrative, this beauty invokes emotions. DESTROYING SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL aspect.




Adam


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