FIA2 - Art as Lens Folio: Will Z
Reflective statement In this unit of learning, I chose an object to create various artworks, using different mediums. I was required to
demonstrate how different lenses can change the meaning of an artwork. The object that was selected was a film clapboard (Slide 9). This object was taken from a personal context because it holds personal significance to me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a love for film. This idea and thought process was influenced by Australian contemporary artist Michael Zavros’ Falling series (Slide 12). This was due to the simplicity in his process of manipulating his object. I can relate to this choice of object, as Zavros’ passion has certainty, but the movement and direction of the horses has drama and uncertainty. Within my experimental artworks, I aimed to show a clear difference in viewing the clapboard through an objective and subjective lens. By distorting and creating varieties of my subject I was able to tell a different story and lead my viewers to a new thought path. I hoped it would open people’s perceptions, encourage them to make a judgement on what they are seeing, but then lead them down a completely different path.
Folio of experimental works
The deconstructions of clapboard Nikko pen 10.51 cm x 18.68 cm
Folio of experimental works
Material: Watercolour
Untitled Watercolour/Ink paintings Mixed Dimensions
Material: Ink
Folio of experimental works
Blurred Digital photography Mixed Dimensions
Folio of experimental works
The Clapboard Digital Photography 2.01 cm x 10.38 cm
Folio of experimental works
Close-up
Sound of clapboard Audio Recording 13 sec/15 sec
Distant recording
Folio of experimental works
In Motion Video Recording 1.19 seconds
Supporting Evidence
Object Background:
Supporting Evidence Existing artist research:
Michael Zavros: Artist Background: • Australian based artist - born in 1974 • Worked exhibited in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe •Graduated from Queensland College of Art with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in
1996
• Renowned for his hyper-realistic drawings and paintings • Has received plenty of awards and honours throughout his career
• The Sydney Morning Herald:
"I still remember the first time I saw a Zavros drawing... I was stopped in my tracks by Falling August... The drawing is dramatic and at the same time ineffably sad, as if this horse has no choice but to fall – its eyes closed against its fate". • Minon:
"Although it was a beautiful image... It frightened me... Beauty and desire in Zavros’ mind, comes with a cautionary tale although it’s not implied outwardly via a strident critique. His comment is more elusive than that. He taunts with the beauty of his images. The beauty is rendered out of reach, fairytale gorgeous, faux aristocratic and lost to us by the day, as we wrinkle and grey and fail to achieve."
Falling August Michael Zavros, 2006 Charcoal on Paper 122 x 86 cm
Falling September Michael Zavros, 2006 Charcoal on Paper
Techniques and conventions: •Zavros uses oil paint to create hyper-realistic drawings in most of his
artworks (including the falling series). •Scale and proportion are used to change the size of the horses, as well as their position. In doing this, Zavros creates an abstract shape, and a rather uncomfortable one. •Movement is another convention used by Zavros. The use of lines, edges and colour on the horse guides the viewer to examine the object and highlight the abstract position of the animal.
Supporting Evidence – Beauty and Aesthetics