Assignment four: Responding to a theme

Variations on a theme

Variations on a theme, is a creative response through the medium of still life to the Covid-19 restrictions in the UK. This period for me was characterised by restriction, repetition, and rainbows, drawings of which seemed to be in almost every window. These three elements combined to influence the choice of objects, presentation, and colours. Each image presenting a variation on the theme of repetition, using restricted colours and objects. The project developed from an initial exploration of colour to be refined into a more complex response to the restrictions and repetitive nature of lockdown.

Influences

The images have a number influences for example Laura Letinsky’s use of real and printed versions of objects (reference), spirals from Andy Goldsworthy’s land art installations (Goldsworthy, 2019), and Andy Warhol’s use of repetition (MoMALearning). Perhaps a less obvious influence to the viewer is the preparatory course work, in particular, work from Project 1 Experimenting with still life, and Project 2 Combining images, objects and concepts. Both of these had an impact on the experimental approach, combinations of objects, and final presentation.

Choice of background, subject and objects

During lockdown access to materials was limited so each image uses objects that were easily available at home, but aims to find beauty out of something ordinary. Though the preparatory work trialled different layouts with a number of items of the same colour, I was drawn to objects and backgrounds that could be used to create patterns. The backgrounds use a variety of objects including coloured card, a mirror, a chair, and in the only image to use layers (the sunflower), sliced lemons provide the texture to subject.

Choice of colour and light

To create strong colours, where possible, the images were shot in bright sunlight and processed in Lightroom and Photoshop. The choice of colour was inspired by the colours of the rainbow However, in keeping with the rainbow, the images use a range of individual colours rather than a solid block. Throughout history, the rainbow has been used to represent different hopes and ideals, with most recently in lockdown, support for the NHS, combined with the more traditional symbolism of faith and hope, which is very relevant for today’s situation.

Interaction with the viewer

Underpinning each image is the framework of repetition, though the placement of the objects and in their presentation. The presentation in a grid could highlight the sense of restriction by being viewed as bars or as windows looking in on the objects. Each image interprets the theme of repetition in a different way, with the use of colour, objects and composition. However, I would not want to impose an interpretation on the viewer and would be happy for them to create their own impression of the images. Larger versions of the individual images can be viewed at Variations on a theme.

References

GOLDSWORTHY, A. 2019. Andy Goldsworthy Digital Catalogue: Home [Online]. Available: https://www.goldsworthy.cc.gla.ac.uk/ [Accessed 22 Oct 2019].

LETINSKY, L. Laura Letinsky [Online]. Available: https://lauraletinsky.com/ [Accessed 2/11/20].

MOMALEARNING. Campbell’s Soup Cans, Andy Warhol [Online]. Available: https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/andy-warhol-campbells-soup-cans-1962/ [Accessed 2/11/20].