MCC IWD Group Exhibition 2021
Piss baby redux (Damage, Z 2021). Photo © Silvi Glattauer.
470x700mm
Photogravure print on paper from scanned original diptych liquid emulsion print on paper created from 35mm negative.
This photograph is of my daughter.
I asked her what she would like the title to be, to which she replied, "Piss baby".
I added "redux" to reflect the multiple analogue processes (redux of bespoke liquid emulsion darkroom print to photogravure).
The image symbolises the challenges of what it is to be a woman today. The diptych format raises the question (encourages discussion) of what defines womanhood.
Pull life apart.
Put it back together.
Revise.
Redefine.
Be yourself.
Photogravure plate making workstation
Rolling ink on photogravure plate
Pressing ink into photogravure plate
When scanning the original liquid emulsion prints to make the photogravure plate, I left the rough edges in (see below). After making the photogravure proofs, I was not happy with these edges as it felt like too much was going on in the image to the point that it was distracting.
Piss baby proofs (plate 1 and 2).
It is essential to note the many process and subsequent nuances. The original image was photographed on 35mm film, created as a bespoke diptych liquid emulsion darkroom print on Fabriano Rosaspina, scanned, and then recreated as a photogravure.
Although I considered remaking the photogravure plates, which is expensive, I decided to experiment with the existing plates, cutting them down to remove the rough edge, which worked well.
Piss baby redux (Damage, Z 2021). Photo © Silvi Glattauer
Keywords
Photogravure, Liquid emulsion, 35mm, Darkroom, Printmaking, IWD, MCC, Proofs
The Renaissance and Modernism
I have begun to research the Renaissance and Modernism from a different perspective. Modernism is considered to be the most historically significant art period since the Renaissance, leading me to question why, and to learn more about each period, the art movements and artists, and what the connections and similarities between the two are.
It is interesting to consider the sociological implications in both periods, particularly in considering social structures, class, political climates, religion and philosophy.
I no longer identify as a photographer and am questioning why I have not enrolled in the MFA program.
Keywords
Modernism, Renaissance, Photography, Visual art, Conceptual thinking
Book design on the fly
A friend needed help with the design for their latest book with only hours to make the print deadline. The cover they had created was simply not working. They were having problems with the file they had created in photoshop. Below is the cover art they initially send through to me to troubleshoot why the colours were not translating correctly.
BRAVE (de Angeles, L 2021)
Cover design Ly de Angeles. Photo © Serenity de Angeles
The file included poorly executed photoshop masking, a low-resolution base image, and multiple filters not suitable for print. From a design perspective, the cover (front and back) needed to be simplified with fewer font families and assess the integrity of the original base image.
I took a punt and sent Ly a sample which she loved.
After a brief phone call followed by an email outlining what was needed to complete the job, Ly sent through everything I had requested, including prepress specifications, the list of fonts used in the initial design and the original image as supplied by her photographer which was, fortunately, a CR2 file.
Below is my redesign as supplied to Ly.
The book is now with the printer.
BRAVE (de Angeles, L 2021)
Cover design by Zo Damage. Photo © Serenity de Angeles.
Keywords
Book design, Redesign, InDesign, Photoshop, Prepress, Friends
References
de Angeles, L 2021, Brave: Lore for the Unclaimed People, Ly de Angeles, Melbourne, Australia
Tokenism and cultural appropriation
I am researching tokenism and looking at the comparisons between it and cultural appropriation, reading scholarly articles on the subjects.
I have found articles about tokenism in academia. It is encouraging to know that people are investing in questioning this topic.
It would also be interesting to research the issue of cultural insensitivity. I must add here that, having witnessed this myself on several occasions, I firmly believe that this issue stems from ignorance and a genuine lack of cultural understanding, which is inexcusable when considering the political foundation of academia in the arts.
Will this politically correct bubble fuelled by middle-class guilt, fear and ignorance burst? Of course not, it is designed to ensure its survival.
Historically, extremism on any side of the political fence are inevitably followed by a knee-jerk social reaction in the opposite direction, which substantiates (no matter how vile) the current rise of the extreme right.
Critique & reflection
Critique methodology, practice and intent of work.
Is it technically driven?
Is the narrative aesthetically or visually driven?
Is it both? It should always be both.
Research past and current practitioners in direct relation to project intent and outcome.
Keywords
Critique, Gestalt, Methodology, Aesthetic, Visual, Narrative, Lens-based, Film, Colour, Double exposure, Heuristic, Reflective