Hi Five to the Archive
An archive is any extensive accumulation or collection of records, observations, data, documents, examples, iterations. The archive has two faces: one is external, available for perusal, displayed for access, organized for the public; the other is inward-looking, dreaming and murmuring, composed of subjectivities and hidden connections. One can create meaning with this material through the quality of one’s arc through an archive. The library is, of course, a paradigm for all archives, but you may consider collected civic documents, natural history specimens, art work, films, photographs, and more as the material body of an archive.
In previous projects, we have considered the drawing in isolation or, at most, in pairs, but not yet in series, multiples, or multitudes. Now I’d like you to consider a single work composed of many parts and how an accumulation of examples might enrich, enhance, complicate or underscore your content. Think, for one simple example, of how Monet’s series of paintings give us an expanded idea of his intentions and content beyond a superficial depiction of a single haystack at sunrise.
I would also like you to consider the method of display as integral to getting your point across and creating the interpretive situation you desire. Think of how your presentation can allow for or limit the viewer’s access to the body of work such that they can draw conclusions, find narratives, make comparisons, feel resonance or discord. Another simple example might be the difference in interpretation of an illustrated book (sequential images) and a grid of framed individual works, available for overall view where the directional movement is at the viewer’s discretion. To spark some ideas, your mode of presentation might be: books, frames, shelves, stacks, drawers, boxes, piles, tabletops, slideshows, bulletin boards, and so on.
ASSIGNMENT DUE APRIL 24:
One work comprised of MINIMUM 12 (twelve) individual works on paper (possibly traditional drawing media, watercolor, collage, etc.) I am not specifying a particular size. You will give careful deliberation to the presentation / method of display as an extension of your content (Please no pushpins in the wall or tape. Unless, of course, this has something to do with the dialogue you are trying to convey.) Any questions, please ask. I will be giving a presentation which should help to flesh out this concept, but you should begin work ASAP.
Some artists to consider: Mark Dion, Tacita Dean, Christian Boltanski, Ilya Kabakov, Louise Lawler, Rosamund Purcell, Thomas Hirshorn.
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