usergeneratedprofiles - installations

Hi Liz: I have been thinking about the installation, and possible ways to 'map' our relationship online, and our blog.  I have a few ideas but I am aware that I do not want to project my ideas too much.  I often work in installation/ and or drawing, but it is important that there is elements of both our practices within the work.  As you say, once we get images of the space, this will help to form the development of the work.

Usergenerated blog 'Timeline'

Often development of many issues, relationship or history can be tracked by a 'timeline', which can be pin-pointed by visual and textual information, see below;

I have imagined that the timeline could function in a 'daydo rail', with us adding visual and textual significant developments along the timeline.  A possible way to use the time line, would be that the points on the upside of the daydo rail could be your interpretation, and the underside could be mine.  With regards to materials, we could use paint, pencil and photography, if we could work straight onto the wall?  The timeline would be adjunct to the rhizomatic nature of internet navigation, reflecting our journeys through a summarised, linear diagram.

'Spider Diagram/ Chart'

We could chart our communication in a more multi-directional manner through a spider-chart diagram, which could also be made in similar materials as above.  See some examples of the visuals of spider charts -

'Profiles'
This is similar to my original idea where I thought we could get to know each other online, and write a profile for each of us, as we knew each other initally(which we first did upon the blog), and then a profile within the exhibition, once we have known each other for a period of activity upon the blog.  We could create a profile through drawing, painting for each other on the wall.

Let me know what you think...

Hi Jenny - hurray blogger is back up and working. Suppose it is all part of the process with trying to communicate and create your own content on-line. 

I am glad we are thinking along the same lines, I am interested in the timeline especially in terms of 'tracking our relationships' but I think the spider diagrams are more aesthetically interesting for an installation. I do drawing work and obviously photography but don't work in painting much at all so would not feel to confident working in that medium, but maybe that is all part of the experiment of working together. 

I have been making sketches of text based maps - I'll send them via the blog tonight. 

Once we have the images / dimensions of the space we will probably be able to push things forward! 

Send me any sketches once you have them and we can see what to work on. I am also going to start making some photographic works as well, just in terms of me responding to the 'concept of profiles'! 

from intangible to tangible...Task 10 (6.5.11)

Hi Liz - thinking about the various forms of user generated content online, what do you think would be corresponding visual forms or processes that we may want to work in? And that would also lend themselves to a collaboration of two artists?

Hi Jenny - I am quite interest in the idea of physically tracking our on-line relationship - as some kind of navigation, or mapping? For me the visual form of mapping is quite powerful, although your reference to playing / games above is quite charming - suits the 'tasks' element of how we have been communicating so far. Let me have some time to think and I will get back to you in day or so, maybe with some visual mapping sketches too.

In terms of outcomes that would lend to strong collaborative work, perhaps we need to see the space first as I feel what we make will be quite site responsive?

Starting to see links in eachother's work

Hi Jenny, I was just thinking you mentioned in task 8 that your interest in Digital Communication actually developed from a preoccupation in written communication. This is something that I am always referring to with my work. I have always been interested in the archive, found object, or found body of text - I like to read something from one context and give it a new relationship / context in my work. For example a lot of my degree show work was conceptually inspired by a piece of text I read in an old book at my Dad's auction house (he sells lots of books and general philatelic material) It was an old science book which talked about the concept of 'string theory'. Someone had mentioned in a previous art crit that my work often looked to find connections between two objects or figures, giving the empty space in an image importance, linking the two somehow. String theory as both an idea and as a title then had a huge impact on my general practice.

In terms of more direct inspiration most of my familiar series work was born out of an initial visit to an house, where the old couple had passed away and the new owner had let me go inside to have a look. Everything was untouched from around the 1970's era - the decor, fabrics, everything was amazing. I found an image of a young man alongside a letter, which seemed to be a love letter. I wasn't sure if the letter connected to the man in the photograph, but it started an imaginary life for this man in my head, which I still think about today. It was the most important letter I have ever come across - I still have the photo of the man but I left the love letter in the draw where I found it, it seemed wrong to remove it.

When you move to the North West I will take you along to my dad's auction house - I have a feeling that you could spend an entire day looking through his written materials/ book collections. It is a world of stories, information and ideas, sold on either because they are unwanted by their owners or because they are deemed to be worth considerable value.

 George at Trafford Books

Task 9 - 05.05.11

Hi Jenny - can you ask five people, strangers, friends - anyone, what they think user generated content means and do they use/ work with it? Keep a note of what they say or you can blog it - up to you.

Hey Liz: I have asked four people and I am waiting for their response. In mean time, my partner Dave's feels that 'user generated content' is mainly more substantial videos and photographs that you may upload onto Flickr or YouTube.  For his business Burgtec, he uploads a lot of videos and photographs he has taken of downhill mountain bike racing (his business makes downhill mountain bike parts!), mainly uploading to Flickr, his website and Facebook, as well as linking through Twitter.

Task 8 - 3.5.11

Hi Liz, what aspects of user generated content interests you?
Could you name any sites or spaces online that produce data or information that you find particularly interesting? What elements of this data do you engage with most?

I will have a think, and a search and post...

Jenny:  I initially became interested in information from digital interfaces, when I started stitching evidences of online communication in 2007.  Previous to this, I had based a body of work on written communication, such as letters and other ephemera.  As the majority of my own personal communication then began to be online - the internet screen seemed to be the instinctual place to draw from.  In addition to textual information through hotmail, I also started recording messenger conversations, and mobile texts through stitched textiles, and printmaking.

'Messenger', 2007

'Account', 2007

'Text Message', 2007

Ultimately, I became interested in the landscape of everyday digital interfaces, which is at times banal and jokey.  I had a desire to make features and icons of digital interfaces into physical forms - tangible objects -trying the humorous and useless process of making these objects 'real' again, often in three dimensional installations.

'Solitaire Game', 2007 (from Installation 'From the Other Side of the Screen it All Looks So Easy'

'Briefcase Icon', part of 'Desktop Diorama' Installation, 2007

My recent practice explores navigation of a multitude of digital spaces, particularly veering towards juxtaposing digital and physical architectures.  However, I am interested in the myriad of opportunities online to self publish and create - however, so many of these 'platforms' sit within a generic predetermined framework, or architecture.  For example, Blogger allows us to design our blog we are now working within, and there are of course, millions of variables, in how we could design our site, and yet, we are limited to its facilities, but many aesthetics of a 'Blogger Blog' appear similar.  I am interested in the tension between our considered 'user generated content', and how much our use of the site, and production of it is controlled by the designer of the software.


Hi Jenny : I had a very sudden relationship with on-line identity and user generated content. In my photography department I was one of only a handful of students who was not working mainly in digital - I very much found my home in the darkroom, especially colour - and for me this was the beauty of being able to study at GSA - being able to use the classic photography equipment. So generally I was quite stubborn with changing technology - and this included on-line usage.
It was only when I graduated that I suddenly had to consider how to go from 'student to professional', and then it dawned on me I needed to exist where everyone else seemed to home their professional identities - on-line!

Firstly it started with the change of my teenage and stupidly named hotmail account to my professional googlemail account, then came the 'artist website', and then finally I joined up to the world of facebook - which had both personal and professional perks.
Then I guess I became hooked, constantly sending, receiving and checking for emails, checking who is where and doing what on facebook, writing for the CAC blog and actually enjoying it!

For me I find the blog a very recent but interesting area for user generated content. Facebook has its purpose but I am always scepticle of a site that allows you to assign yourself a 'relationship status'.

So after a lot of ranting, I would say it is the blog that is most interesting for me, I like the idea of an on-line diary, sharing ideas, images and conversations with others - it is like the ultimate way of getting things off your chest! I am pretty new to the world of blogging but I am very much enjoying it, and in terms of identifying myself as an artist, it is a very free and open way of expressing my ideas.

Goolge search image for blog

Task 7 - 02.05.11

Hi Jenny - What are you currently working on in your studio at the moment? Can you upload some images of your current works in progress / research in your studio? Or maybe something from a sketch book?

Here is my studio, via my very quick phone snaps:

Hi Liz - I am afraid my studio space at home is in such a mess, I will not subject the www to my disorganisation! Here are some close up photographs of a woodblock cut I am doing, and some initial prints.  However, the press was not large enough and it needs to be cut further, as several of the edges were squint, and there was not enough pressure to print properly. I am hoping to print it at LPS next week.  It is a long process, but I am enjoying it despite several cuts on my hands!

Woodblock print after printing

The process of cutting

Close up after test prints - wonky edges!

Test print on newsprint

Close up of test print on newsprint (upside down!)

Test print on newsprint

The last drawing I worked on is the one below, which I might add further 3d relief to.  It is called 'Netizen Layout' - I am going to take some well lit shots of my drawings this week...

Netizen Layout, Pen, pencil, vinyl and cardboard relief on paper

Task 6 - 31.4.11

Hi Liz: I am going to be moving to the North West area after my residency in June-July in China.  This will be a big change for my partner and I after 6 years of living in London.

What for you are the highlights/strengths of the visual arts scene in the North West, particularly Manchester?

Hi Jenny: There are some key galleries/ art organisations in Manchester and indeed the North West. In terms of main art galleries some of the smaller venues have some really exciting programming developing, obviously there is Chinese Arts Centre, but also Castlefield Gallery is one to visit. Cornerhouse is a larger venue that is well worth a look at, particularly its film programming. Some of the most exciting places for me in Manchester are actually the artist studios, and I imagine the studio rent in Manchester will seem massively cheaper than in London. I am based at Islington Mill Studios - the studios home a huge number of multi-discipline artists, run a residency programme, as well as loads of other events based programming, with two gallery/ project spaces and a club venue. Other artist studios to visit are Rogue Artist Studios, Mirabel and Suite Studios, all of which have something interesting on offer.
Generally as someone who lived the past 6 years in Glasgow, since returning to Manchester I have been made to feel extremely welcome in the arts scene here. There is an enthusiasm to meet with new artists and art pracitioners here, which is something you don't always get in some cities unless you actually studied at the art school there first.

In terms of the North West, I would not miss a chance to visit Liverpool and see FACT (foundation of creative technology - I love some of the work they do there), and also a little further afield is Grizedale Arts in Cumbria, they run a brilliant residency programme there.

And then we are also home to a number of festivals that your work would actually be quite well suited to, in particular Future Everything Festival and AND.

I could go on but there are loads! Hopefully this will give you a good starter into the Manchester arts scene.

Hi Liz: Thanks, this is helpful. Yes, organisations and venues such as CAC, Castlefield and Cornerhouse are what attracted me to the area, alongside an approachable and proactive arts communities. I have been in touch with a few studios about potential, although I had not heard of Suite.  Similarly, Grizedale Arts and the AND festival were new to me.  I am actually presenting a paper at FACT in September, so I am looking forward to visiting it then! Thanks :-) .....