Exhibition Visits- 29/8/13- 31/8/13

Last week, prior to officially starting the course I visited 3 exhibitions: 'The Future is here' at the Design Museum, 'Ellen Gallagher AxMe' and 'Meschac Gaba, Museum of Contemporary African Art' at the Tate Modern.

                               The Future is here

The responses of the public concerning the making process were  interesting and slightly disheartening as 88% weren't interested in owning a 3D printer and 66% of people would rather leave the design of household items to the professionals. These statistics reminded me how detached I am from the actual designing process of the products I use. These days the only choice I make is concerning trivial things such as colour. 

     

I found this exhibition extremely insightful as usually I am presented with visuals whereas in this instance I was presented with concepts/ideas. Upon entering, the work displayed was put into context. I found this extract very thought provoking:

'Karl Marx suggested that those who control the means of production control political power. it is possible that changes in manufacturing will challenge traditional manufacturing power bases' (A New Industrial Revolution)   

As I studied Sociology I am very familiar with the writings of Karl Marx nevertheless seeing them linked to design surprised me slightly as I myself had never linked the two together. I also find it odd that although I want to work in the creative industry and I interact with manufactured products on a day to day basis I've never actually thought it could get any better in terms of manufacturing. I agree that the Future is here. 

The themes of the exhibition such as innovation and purpose behind production- in terms of creating to meet the individuals needs reminded me of the story of Lego. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdDU_BBJW9Y 

                                                    
                                                    Ellen Gallagher AxMe

                

                                                         http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/ellen-gallagher-axme 

    

                                                  (http://www.latriennale.org/en/artists/ellen-gallagher)

I found Gallagher's range of work impressive as it varied vastly in terms of the themes and techniques that featured in it. My favourite technique was the use of a cutting knife which leaves delicate, faint lines which are however prominent at the same time in the Watery ecstatic series. In reference to her themes i particularly find the pieces where she works with black lifestyle magazines interesting as on their own the pieces look quite funny but when put in to context conceptually as well as visually I understood why they looked funny.

Photography wasn't permitted so I made note of the pieces I liked.

- Pinnochio theory 1996-: oil and pencil on wood
- Untitled-: I liked the detailing in the eyes, it made it realistic
- Morphia
- Mobb deep
- Eleganza

'...a kind of refusal, even when reading them- if you stand in front of them then go back and then if you stand at the side you see only a little'- Gallagher referring the large 'black paintings' in Room 4. I thought these particular pieces were beautiful because they were so original. It made me want to know how she did it. 

- Oh! Sussana
- Bird in hand
- s'Odium
- Bonebrite
- Greasy
- Moon glow
- Watery ecstatic

Meschac Gaba: Museum of Contemporary African Art

                                             

                                                 Who says money doesn't grow on trees?

Although this exhibition doesn't link to my project directly, Gaba's personal approach in terms of the names of the rooms such as (Marriage room) links to my theme of past and present. His use of personal objects from his past inspired me to be selective in choosing my 10 objects from my past and present as my choices have to reflect me as a person.