OAXACA/ MEXICO CITY
JANUARY 7TH TO MARCH 8TH
VISUAL STUDIO VI ASSIGNMENT 1
Authored by: Esther Oluyomi (Afolayan) Abraham
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Workshops
Ink pen, Sumi ink, Geso, Water color
I will summarize my study abroad for the sixth semester as inspirational as a result of the new skills learnt, the knowledge of the cultural orientation of Mexico, the importance of storytelling to imagery or an idea; most especially because I could see and feel the impact of what I am being thought. With the successful completion of Text and context III, I come to the conclusion that “success is finding greatness in what I have created” and that “art enters your soul”
The first week began with an orientation on how to use the above tools in generating imagery from live observation, in a quick succession.
I find this knowledge to be very useful as there is a limit to which water color paper or sketchbooks can take, this process reduced the limitations of water color drastically.
Print making
This was thought by Museo Maximo, different etching styles were thought, and when to apply them. We used Japanese carving tools to make imagery of our choices with the Mexican linoleums, which were very easy to carve into. I noted that the result from these prints were not as satisfying. Other print shops where visited and etching on metal plates yielded best results, in my opinion. Images of my prints will be made available ones I retrieve them in Columbus.
“Success is finding greatness in what I have created ”
I.D CABASA
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Charcoal, Vaseline, eraser, pigments
The art made at Mision Diletante was an 8weeks of experience I hold so dear, it was a new way of making art thought in two ways;
Emotionally- feeling the subject matter mentally/visually and then loosely forming the image based on that feeling, more like molding the image but in a two-dimensional way.
Story telling- This is about the vision of what one is trying to create and how the audience is to perceive the art work, this also entails some form of emotions and vulnerability in both material and what is imagined.
Product making- pigments, dyes, pastel (dry and oil), paints/ sealants, water color
The segment was facilitated by different professionals- The main lessons from these classes was sustainability. I learnt how to make all of the above and also used them in my sketchbook/ other paper sizes made available to us which will be exhibited in Columbus, the quality and texture of art that can be made from this tutorial will go a long way in finetuning my art process.
Ceramics/Pottery, hydraulic tiles and Sculptures
Clay harvesting and processing was thought, as well as how to knead it before making whatever image or form that has been predetermined. I made some pieces and also fired them, the most important lesson for me was how to fire properly and how each type of clay will behave in this heat, as well as the resultant effect of painting before or after firing the clay.
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Appendix
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MEXICO CITY
The four elements of Mexican architecture are;
Voids
Color
Walls Light
These I have seen characteristically in both architecture and art of Mexico, discussed as follows:
Color Craft
There is a lot of lessons I find from Mexico based on my observations which I documented in a separate sketchbook, (images are shown from page 32). Color is majorly used to define structural elements in buildings as well as in art (paintings and the likes). It is used to define volume and perception, an example of this can be found in the paintings of Jose De Santiago Silvia currently on exhibition at Unam University Mexico City (pictures can be made available).
Building and its elements as sculpted forms
Unam University is an example of how art and architecture meet, this was evident in the building form as well as the art around it, Museo Eco was another example of this union. I have had this struggle on how to infuse both worlds into one and now I have pointers on how to engage this process.
Emotions
I had several examples on how art and architecture met, this was beautifully done by Alexander Apostle, there were non-conventional use of materials - metals, beds as canvases, curtains as canvases, sign posts with human portraits- (Coleccion Muac- he exemplified void, light, and walls on his panel exhibition), environmental safety and
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consciousness through art is an experience found in Mexican art- (Lawrence Abu Hamdam).
Coleccion’s art pieces have been used a lot as door pieces for buildings, Root Studio led by Joao is an example of architects that has imbibe this form or art in architecture.
Summarily, Mexico City has further broadened my thought process and approach to both art and architecture. My body of work last semester was beautiful, it is going to take a new turn now as I am thinking of a canvas that will be a curtain with art pieces on then that is both sculptural and planer. I purchased amate paper and some found objects that will help me birth this new thought I am having; I also have a muse who is both of Spanish and Asian origin.
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Appendix
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“Art enters the soul”
I.D CABASA
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