BA (Hons) Illustration Context of Practice 3 Proposal Form Make sure you print a copy off for your own records Name:
Astrid Weguelin
E-mail:
aw106045@students.leeds-art.ac.uk
SUBJECTS OF CONTEXTUAL RESEARCH ALREADY UNDERTAKEN
Level 4:
To what extent did the Russian Revolution affect the art and design of the time?
Level 5:
To what extent does architectural and environmental design manipulate our behaviour?
AIM AND/OR OBJECTIVE OF YOUR PROPOSED C.O.P.3 PROJECT th ‘Was the rise of Communism in Russia during the 20 century down to their use of Propaganda? Focusing on the period surrounding the Russian revolution of 1917, looking at how the propaganda infiltrated the culture at the time. I want to explore the design techniques used within the propaganda, and the psychological effects they had on the people. I am also interested in exploring how the propaganda and constructivist aesthetic encompassed all cultural activities (film, music, theatre, art etc.). I will also look at current propaganda e.g. in North Korea, but also how the Russian aesthetic has influenced posters and artwork today.
1. What research needs to be undertaken into the general and specific contexts of your practice? Research into the historical background of Russia, who Lenin and Stalin were, why the revolution happened and why there was a necessity for propaganda Research into common themes within the propaganda posters – subject matter, illustration style, colour, composition, shapes, type etc. Research into some psychology theories surrounding visual effects of posters – how much can we actually be manipulated, what aspects will attract attention most Research into other methods of propaganda e.g. the art movement ‘constructivism’ became the aesthetic of the communists and influenced how textiles, instruction manuals, theatre design etc. was visually perceived Art movements – constructivism, Bauhaus, suprematism Review current posters with similar attributes with the aim of manipulating people in some way – advertising? Current political propaganda – ISIS (their modern take on propaganda by using a variety of platforms), North Korean political posters
2. What approach(es) will you take and what processes, methods, materials and tools are to be involved in research into your practice? Exploring the design techniques within the poster art using my own materials
BA (Hons) Illustration Context of Practice 3 Proposal Form Make sure you print a copy off for your own records Collage work – experimenting with photography and paint/texture/colour etc. initially using imagery from the historical examples but then moving onto more current examples – local and worldwide, not necessarily big issues Experiment with photomontage, mixed media Respond to written research with sketchbook drawing Mono/screen printing – relevant process for examples I am looking at, look at quick processes which can be produced on big scales Try and create a narrative within the illustration – a lot of the propaganda posters appeal to emotion and real life situations – try and capture similar feeling within own exploration and drawings Maybe look at local surroundings for inspiration (leeds) lots of industrial buildings which featured a lot within soviet posters Photography; take camera to locations for primary research – can build up collages through own photographs Use photocopier – the propaganda posters were all about quick production with simple, bold designs – use photocopier as a tool for similar effect Look at illustration as a function – simplifying ideas, statistics, information into simple shapes/images.
3. What preparation or investigations do you need to undertake for your creative practice to take place? Lots of contextual reading surrounding the theme – artists/illustrators, theorists, history, analysis of art, art movements. Rodchenko, El Lissitzky, Constructivism, Karl Marx, Jean Piaget, Lyubov Popova, Leninism Watch any documentaries surrounding the theme Read relevant articles/academic analysis of posters See if there are any exhibitions at the moment which might relate Start sketching in response to the information I find out – play around with colour and shapes, abstract and simple versions of posters?
BA (Hons) Illustration Context of Practice 3 Proposal Form Make sure you print a copy off for your own records 4. What research do you need to undertake regarding who your creativity is for? ‘Intellect publishers of original thinking’ – this site has a journal dedicated to ‘the poster’, which are different issues with collections of academic essays analysing art posters. So my essay could possibly fit into this type of category. I’m not sure where my practical will fit in as I am not yet sure what it will consist of, I need to start producing experiments and sketches before I can visualise what it could turn into.
5. What research do you need to undertake regarding who your creativity is for? ‘Intellect publishers of original thinking’ – this site has a journal dedicated to ‘the poster’, which are different issues with collections of academic essays analysing art posters. So my essay could possibly fit into this type of category. I’m not sure where my practical will fit in as I am not yet sure what it will consist of, I need to start producing experiments and sketches before I can visualise what it could turn into.
Primary Sources of Information 1. Description Location
Questionnaire Online
2. Description Location
My own visual responses to research Studio/on location
3. Description Location
Talk to curators at galleries Art/history galleries and exhibitions
Secondary Sources of Information 1.
Review my level 4 essay on art and the Russian revolution
2.
Books about propaganda, totalitarian states, graphic design within poster art
3.
Exhibitions relevant to the theme
4.
Online articles/reviews on the subject
BA (Hons) Illustration Context of Practice 3 Proposal Form Make sure you print a copy off for your own records 5.
Documentaries on the subject
6.
Perceived problems or difficulties: I still think my essay needs a more focused question, I know what I want to research into but I’m not entirely sure what I am trying to say. It is still quite a big subject and I have to be careful to not just talk about lots of different examples of propaganda without making a solid point. I am struggling a bit with the structure, as I know I need to bring in some contemporary examples e.g. North Korea, but I don’t know how much of the essay I should dedicate to that or if I will have enough to talk about. Coming up with primary research will be difficult as it is such a historical based essay, it would be good if I could find some texts written by key figures from the time. But also with my practical, as most drawing work would be from old photos as reference – I’m not sure how to carry out the practical without just doing posters with modern day content, which I don’t think will be very strong.