Anna Garforth

Ive included Anna Garforth in my essay because I love the way that she creates these beautiful thought provoking pieces of art. The materials she uses range from moss to cookie dough and it seems as though she works with a really positive attitude towards the environment.

I wanted to know if this was her main aim when creating work or not, so I contacted her on tumblr. She hasn't replied yet, maybe she never will but I tried! 

If we were all to use sustainable materials in our work a little more, the percentages of waste would surely drop. I know we recycle and thats fantastic, but we can do more. We need to. I need to start considering materials for my book. At the moment I'm thinking of either making sculptures or taking photos with a 35mm film camera and working with these. It needs to raise awareness, or speak some truth at least.
Endangered animals is what I'm thinking at the moment. Its all linked.

Triangulation

Triangulation is a number of theories or methodologies that combine.
Gathering different kinds of data on the same subject, using more sources to back up an argument.

1. A paragraph that shows the ability to triangulate between the 3 texts...

Designers take on meaningless jobs instead of trying to make a difference in the world. Giving in to consumerism. Becoming corporate sell outs. Culture and design can be about shaping a better future but right now thats not what its proving. Consumerism is sucking the soul from design and culture.

"Our culture is a corporate culture"
(Kalman, 1998, p.2)

"We think that there are other things more worth using our skill and experience on."
(Garland, 1964, p.2)

"Encouraged in this direction, designers then apply their skill and imagination to sell dog biscuits..."
(Adbusters, 2000, p.1)

Evaluating one of the texts-

The texts are all very similar, which makes triangulation a little easier to understand. Everything said in each relates in one way or another. Highlighting a deflating fact, that we change the way in which we make work in order to meet the clients needs. Where we could be making a difference we are designing packaging for dog biscuits and tooth paste. The tables should turn, creatives should take a stand and make work with more meaning and a greater social impact that highlights the greater good.

4.
The essence of the design world has been lost in the realms of consumerism. We've lost all imagination when working for large corporate companies. As Kalman states:
"Creative people are now working for the bottom line."
Being a creative should mean you have the ability to shape the future, but instead we are taking corporate jobs from those that are shaping it for us. Pushed to the back, when we should be the ones paving the way for the younger creative generations.

"Let's bike it"

A few Latvian activists from a branch of the bicycle advocacy group Let’s Bike it recently created a visual reminder of the space taken by cars on a typical road. To accomplish this, the group fabricated bamboo skeletons shaped like actual cars and mounted them on their bikes. The activists then cycled around the streets of Riga for several hours to highlight the absurdity of using a large car to move a single person. The stunt was organized as part of European Mobility Week, an ongoing campaign that explores sustainable urban mobility around Europe. (via Designboom, My Modern Met)

Fantastic idea! its creative, inventive and a strong point to raise awareness. When it comes to my practical body of work, I want to make something that does all of these things.

Need to -

- Think of alternative ways in which to raise awareness for the said problem I am tackling.

- Be creative, do something that hasn't been done before.

- Take the examples of things people have done on board and form my own understanding of how things can be done to make people realise the importance of sustainability. 

Brandalism and my thoughts.

I found out about brandalism on colossal and thought it was a really fantastic idea, with a really thought provoking message behind it.

Brandalism is a revolt against corporate control of the visual realm. They've done quite a few projects, but the one I was looking into was the Paris Climate talks, where 600 posters were installed by a network of 70 people all over Paris. It was aimed at air lines and car manufacturers who claim to be on board with the climate talks and sponsor the whole thing, when in reality they are part of the huge problem. 

The more I read, and the more I learn, it seems that everything is linked. 

At the moment, Im tracking everything back to huge corporate companies. They are the reason global emissions have risen by 63% in the last 20 years, the reason deforestation is is happening and species are becoming extinct. We buy into this. WHY?! 

We buy into all of this but then we just waste it. So its almost all for nothing.

How these statistics are real is beyond me. We are all part of the problem. 

Recycling

Study task 3

I always find it difficult to have tasks like this so early on when I have no idea what Im doing. But this one was actually quite useful because myself and Charlotte stayed behind and talked out a load of ideas with Pete. I don't have a solid idea as of yet, but I now have a few more topics to explore.

Suggested research question-

Something to do with deforestation-
Deforestation and the effects on the creative industry?
How does deforestation impact the creative industry? (this could be difficult)
Do we as creatives take a sustainable approach in our work?


Academic sources-

Still not sure, I will have to take a trip to the library asap.

Images to analyse?

Ive been collecting lots, I just need to narrow them down once I have a clearer direction. Heres a few I've collected though...

Could look at images that have been created with recycled materials, or ideas that push the idea of a greener future.

I didn't do an essay map while I was in class because I didn't have any solid ideas. But my four main points moving forwards would be-

- Deforestation, the effect this is having on the world and what is being done about it.

- Climate change and why this is happening and how this is linked to deforestation.

- The importance of sustainability, looking at this from a creatives point of view, whether is it possible to be a sustainable practitioner, advantages and disadvantages.

- Whether creatives are using their visual skills in order to bring these issues to the publics attention or not.

To move forward I need to start doing ALOT of research.

Identity Lecture 5th November

This lecture was really interesting, and I really enjoyed listening to James Beighton speak.
The lecture didn't particularly have anything relevant to what I will be researching but its good to think about various topics for the future.

Im really interested in photography, I always have been, so I mainly noted the photographers he was showing us. I liked the concepts behind the work that were explained.

Humphrey Spender /Mass observation- worktown project 1937.
This project was interesting, being a man from upper class London, he took the trip to Bolton to document the working class life in 1937. It perhaps insinuates an uncultured town, where there are only a small handful of people at the theatre to watch 'A mid summer nights dream', and definitely reflects the lack of money in one place with children on the streets playing with chickens feet rather than toys, but its raw and honest and I like that.

Martin Parr- again photographs the lower class folk, in projects like New Brighton, Merseyside, "The Last Resort" (1983-86). A lot of his images are very stereotypical and they condescend the 'poorer' people. These images are the sort that would be displayed in upper class places, where only the rich can enjoy them, but it could be argued that its almost mocking the people of lower class. Is this Parr's tactical approach to photography? Or is this the point he's trying to put across?

Gillian Wearing- her photography was by far my favourite, as it focused on what the people wanted to say about themselves or life in general. Its not someone coming in with their own view point and making money from showing the lives of the lower class. Her project 'signs that say what you want them to say' is a really interesting concept. It shows people the way they want to be shown, and gives them their own voice.