I’ve reached the end of the time I’d allocated for Stage 6 – Prototype/maquette-making. In Stage 5, Sorting (28-Feb-2016) I set the goal of developing my collection and use groups of vessels in exploring space and presentation. This approach allowed me to keep sampling and exploring right to the end – which in effect makes “end” an inaccurate term.
Rather than “ending” with Stage 7 Reflection, I really want to do another round of Sorting, and then some more Sampling. That’s what this course has been training me to do in my future practice, and fits so well with Ruth Hadlow’s model of practice as a series of strands of investigation, like currents in a river (25-Feb-2016). With on-going exploration / experimentation / sampling in each strand, a particular exhibition represents the state of investigation at that point. Rather than an exhibition I will be presenting the current state of my investigations as part of assessment.
But I’m not finished! This post is to record some strands I want to return to, after all the business of writing up reflections, preparing my submission to tutor, then adjusting as advised for assessors.
Vessels and material exploration: having learnt with Lissa de Sailles to make paper yarn (19-Mar-2016) I am very interested in the possibilities it brings, and started a little basket-based object using some of the plastic horsehair.

Final sample

Final sample version 2
The newspaper yarn brings something quite new.

Final sample detail
I’ve already mentioned that research on Eva Hesse is ongoing. It’s not ready for a neat post, so will miss being presented within this course. Related at least in part to that is other reading – Part Object Part Sculpture, edited by Helen Molesworth. I’ve been writing of my work as vessels and objects. What is sculpture, and is that where I’m headed?
This week I saw a work that attempted sculpture using scent – I think. The artist, Dane Mitchell (http://www.danemitchell.co.nz/) participated in a panel discussion and described his work as showing “non-presence”. He explores the senses as a sculptural material, creating objects that take shape in the brain. He’s interested in making tangible, physical, aspects of the unseen. In a sense in the discussion Mitchell kept his scope contained, unlike the more grand responses to the theme Embassy of Spirits (this was all part of the Sydney Biennale). Is there something for me in this???
Other Biennale work was by Jumana Manna and involved film and sculpture (https://www.biennaleofsydney.com.au/20bos/artists/jumana-manna/). I’m hoping to find time to post some brief research on that within this course. My note here is on the combination of multiple media. My photography / video / lighting skills have not given the results I wanted in this part of the course. This is definitely an ongoing strand of learning and exploration.
With that captured for the future, I now feel able to turn to the important business of reflecting on the recent past – Assignment 5, and Mixed Media for Textiles as a whole.
T1-MMT-P5-s6 Loose ends
Textiles 1 – Mixed Media for Textiles
Part 5: A final piece
Stage 6: Prototype/maquette-making
Loose ends