Working at home during this pandemic isn’t so bad as it brought me closer to my practice by using nature as my studio. The location of my home allows me access to natural materials and the use of unlimited outside space. The process of my work has enabled me to adapt on a personal level with my artwork by using the natural space around me. Nature changes everyday, this has inspired me to change with it and to adapt to any situation. Engaging with my work outdoors has not only influenced me to reconnect with nature but also to reconnect with family and friends by hosting ‘The Painting Party’ and” The birthday Trees”. These gatherings offered an opportunity for everyone to participate and socialise outside, following Covid-19 guidelines, and contribute to my work. Everyone's creativity was explored using different playful methods during these collaborations. This interactive approach influenced my production. The use of unlimited space within my work is located outdoors and the constitution of producing the finished form in nature is also where I present my work. The transition from working outdoors within daylight and presenting my work at night has enhanced my practice to perceive the changes and adaptations within the finished form. The public and animals have access to viewing my work and the natural surroundings can inform the viewers. As light and darkness can govern the presentations, so weather can limit the presentations throughout this interactive approach. The fluorescent trees and branches are placed into the ground outdoors and with the power of UV light their presentation is accelerated within the darkness. The natural outdoor space I use as presentation sites are accessible to the viewer and can be as temporary or permanent as required according to my decision as well as the interactions with the human and animal viewers. I also present my practice through digital platforms, such as Instagram, as way to document and perform live streams, videos and images. My audience can be seen by all living creatures including humans and they usually encounter my uv artwork in the darkness outdoors within nature. The audience’s are entertained as they participate within my work by being part of the artwork itself and experiencing first hand the sights, sounds and emotions involved by interacting as witnesses to that moment and environment captured within that time. The environment and living organisms are hidden audiences themselves. The artwork presented outdoors is part of the public community and is in a public space which can be viewed as a public artwork. The audience asks and answers its own questions by their own interpretation of the experience from the artwork itself. Depending on the location of the artwork in situ, it can be as public or private as needed depending on the context and the reaction required. My public artwork is displayed outside and can be disassembled by the public, human or animals, and made private with the intervention. As my artwork is appropriated from natural materials and returned into its natural environment, its juxtaposition is recognized through its fluorescent colours. Social media and the Internet connect audiences through the digital realms and can be shared by the artist and the human audience themselves. My artwork exists physically within the public and nature, and virtually through videos, documents and live performances/ streams. Theoretically, working and exhibiting outside has enhanced the presentation of my practice during Covid- 19. Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson inspired my practice and how it informs the audience to be apart of the artwork through its site specific location. I am also inspired by Antony Gormley’s Field and his inclusion of allowing others to collaborate with making art and generate ideas which is significant to Joseph Beuys practice and activism of how “Everyone is an artist“ within his 7000 Oaks.
YouTube, Where’s this all coming from? Outdoor Installation during daylight and night time, featuring fluorescent trees and branches with Ultraviolet torches, Peterlee, 2021. Documenting this outdoor installation for a wider reach of audience. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V9ymPAksLI
Outdoor Installation with Fluorescent tree branches under UV light.
Outdoor Installation with Fluorescent tree branches under UV light.
Outdoor Installation with Fluorescent tree branches during daylight.
Outdoor Installation with Fluorescent tree branches during daylight.
15ft fluorescent tree securely in the ground. Required two people to assist me during this exhibition.
Animals are AUDIENCES TOO:
More examples of creatures interacting with my work.
(Semester 1 and Below)
Outdoor installation using painted twigs and branches with fluorescent wool under uv light. These images remind me of cells and neurons explored in my research.
Nature as a process
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Tree log, acrylic and fluorescent paint, wool, hot glue. Viewed under UV light.
Instagram Live Stories & Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/user132409446
Instagram: @uvartbyamber Video/ live videos/ outdoor walks
Going out on dog walks and walks while documenting my work on social media platforms has allowed my audience to become familiar to the identify of my work. The involvement of the fluorescent and alienating imagery within nature is displayed through using filters to capture this vibrant appearance.