Cop 3 proposal

COP3 Research Proposal Question 5: To what extent does Aesthetic ‘Style’ reflect the context, audience and/or function of contemporary Illustration?

I have decided to extend my investigation of visual communication in illustration, specifically in relation to abstract forms of image-making. This year I researched into abstract art movements of the past, such as Cubism, Fauvism and Abstract Expressionism, and evaluated these with reference to their influence on contemporary illustration.

I have found that using COP as a means to research methods of image-making within illustration that interest me deepens my understanding of my own practice. Through this research, I intend to develop a way of making images, both practically and conceptually, that uses abstraction in a functional and meaningful way.

In COP3 I would like to continue to research into means of practical abstraction, such as the use of simplification, reduction, use of colour and visceral expression in the making of images, through looking at key artists such as Matisse, Picasso and Jackson Pollock. I would like to gain a more in depth understanding of the theories behind movements such as Fauvism, Abstract Expressionism and Constructivism.

Extending this investigation into visual communication, I would also like to look at the use of symbolism, surrealism, and visual metaphor as a means to communicate complex ideas, such as in editorial illustrations. By evaluating how illustration communicates ideas, through more conceptual forms of problem solving, as well as practically investigating abstract forms of image-making I hope to push the boundaries of what can be functional and communicative illustration.

Subjects/themes of interest : • • • • • • •

Abstrac)on Func)on Communica)on Conceptual illustra)on Visual metaphor Symbolism : (semio)cs) Abstract Art Movements e.g.

• Construc)vism • Fauvism • Abstract Expressionism

Possible Essay questions :

How do contemporary illustrators use forms of abstrac)on to communicate complex ideas?

5 contextual images :

Rene MagriQe, ‘The Treachery of Images’, 1929

Picasso, ‘Les Demoiselles D’Avignon 1907.

Henri Matisse, The Sheaf, 1953

Ed Fella, Flyers.

Jackson Pollock, ‘Convergence’, 1952

5 books, journals or articles :

Fletcher, A. (2001) “The Art of Looking Sideways”.

London: Phaidon.

Britt, D. (1999). “Mondern Art: Impressionism to post- modernism” London : Thames & Hudson.

Hockney, D and Gayford, M. (2016) ‘A History of Pictures’ London : Thames & Hudson

Bergstrom, B. (2008). “Essentials of Visual Communication”. London : Laurence King

5 relevant websites : • • • • •

www.ny)mes.com www.moma.org www.itsnicethat.com www.houseofillustra)on.org.uk www.designobserver.com

Wilde, R. (2000) ‘Visual Literacy : A Conceptual Approach to Graphic Problem Solving’.

Watson- Gup)ll Publica)ons.

5 Relevant quotes : Gagnon, L (2012). An introduc)on to abstract art and history. Delhi: The English Press.

‘Abstrac3on exists along a con3nuum’ (Gagnon, L. 2012)

Male, A (2007). Illustra)on, A theore)cal and contextual perspec)ve .

Switzerland : AVA Publishing . p54-70.

‘Illustra3on prac3ce is not judged purely by visual literacy and technical quali3es, but is a discipline that is firmly established as one that engenders the best intellectual engagement with subject maCer, problem solving and visual communica3on’ (Male. 2007)

Abstrac)on : The Art of Design, Episode 1, Christoph Niemann : Illustra)on.

2017. Nealix.

‘Abstrac3on for me is this idea of geDng rid of everything that is not essen3al to making a point’ (Abstrac)on: The Art of Design. 2017)

Mathias. (2015). Naviga)ng the World through graphic abstrac)on : David Lemm. Available: hQps://intoshallowdepths.com/2015/08/05/naviga)ng-theworld- through-graphic-abstrac)on-david-lemm/. Last accessed 19/04/17.

‘I’ve been exploring ideas rela3ng to knowledge communica3on, specifically maps/diagrams, and our assump3ons of truth based on abstract, symbolic representa3ons of reality’ (Mathias. 2015)

Spurling, H. (2014). Henri Ma)sse : drawing with scissors. Available: hQps://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/mar/29/henri-ma)ssecutouts- tate-modern-drawing-scissors. Last accessed 19/04/15.

‘Ma3sse himself talked of abstrac3on and the absolute, saying he wanted to dis3l each image down to its bare essence, and insis3ng that, however incomprehensible it might seem in its day, his latest work would speak to the future’ (Spurling. 2014)

5 illustrators that link to subject area:

Anna Kovecses, illustrations for diagnosis column New York times

Keith Negley, illustration for the New York Times OP/Ed

Mathew Richardson, editorial illustration

David Lemm, series of illustrations for Atlas Arts. ß

Gizem Vural, How Trump’s wall will hurt El Paso. New York Times OP/ED

Jillian Tamaki, ‘A Drug to Cure Fear’, editorial illustration for New York times, Sunday Review

5 proposals for practical work : Iden)fying a complex subject I would like to communicate (probably along the lines of environmental issues) and using my newfound understanding to communicate this using conceptual ideas and abstract processes of imagemaking.

Selec)ng one subject maQer or idea/ concept, then simplifying this down to its bare essence con)nually - to test how far you can abstract something before it becomes uncommunica)ve.

Tes)ng different combina)ons of image-making – e.g. abstract expressionist/visceral mark-making and figura)ve together. How much needs to be evident within a image to then trigger an audience to understand the rest?

Tes)ng different media – collage, cut-paper, print, gouache paint and ink – to see how process influences abstrac)on and communica)on.

Develop a collec)on or series of symbols in communica)on of a par)cular content – this can be mark-making, objects, figures ect.