A Glove or an abstract shape?

Making plaster castings of latex gloves and abstract shapes.
Virtually lost in a world of lifeless abstractions.

Blank thoughts

Continuing with researching about memory, and looking into memory loss and dementia.
From reading the book 'The man that mistook his wife for a hat' by Oliver Sacks, a neurologist who documents the stories of his patients suffering from unusual cases of dememtia.
The book is made up of short stories, I found the first story particularly interesting, it explains how this one patient becomes unaware of the identity of everyday objects and he can only see them as an abstract shape or he explains what their function could be but doesnt actually know what the object is.
In one particular part of the book the patient can't seem to remember what a glove is, when the doctor asks him what the object (glove) is he lists what its functions could be;

• A continuious surface
• Infolded on itself
• Five outpouchings
• A container of some sort
• It would contain its contents

Project evaluation

Memory erasing

 

Throughout this project my intention has been to broaden my use of different and unusual materials. Many of my samples portray a minimal approach to the use of materials, by using gesso and plaster; as seen in the images they have been applied with a repetitive nature in order to express the concept of something (a memory or thought) gradually building up over a certain period of time. Through my samples I wanted to express how in relation to my original idea of memory erasing that perhaps memory can never truly be erased and that it is deep-rooted inside and it may not be clear but it still remains; by following this concept I made my samples very subtle and delicate, concealing marks through drawing and stitch.

Initially most of my samples were rather flat and I experimented with different ways of making more 3D samples. From researching dementia and other memory loss illnesses, many sufferers will go for long periods of time not remembering anything and then there will be some kind of spark that makes them remember something (the light bulb effect), a long forgotten thought or memory. I started then using light bulbs and glow in the dark paint, bringing actual light to the samples.

The samples using the glow in the dark paint made me think more about the use of colour, as I have used a very minimal palate, the glow in the dark makes very neutral marks until the surroundings darken and the marks turn a luminous green. This also reflects my idea of concealing and revealing as the marks are concealed by the light of the room. Also from attending the embroidery workshops it has made me think more about the marks made from stitch and how to apply them using different media.

My main inspiration for this particular project originally came from watching a film called ‘The eternal sunshine of the spotless mind’, about how two people have one another erased from their memories but how overtime they slowly remember each other. This then led to further research about the science behind memory erasing and how during the twin towers disaster many people were trained to use this specialist equipment on the victims of the disaster. For the summer project I researched brain circuits and experimented with ideas of making my own circuits through repetitive stitch and trying to make sense of a subject that is very complex but then simplifying it in my own my and creating samples in an order and categorising them.

This project has been moulded in a way to potentially be displayed as an installation piece in a gallery. I think some of the pieces I have made in this project would benefit from being displayed in a very blank space as I would want the space to reflect the clinical look of the work relating back to the scientific elements, I think this would make the audience think more about what each piece reflects in terms of minimalism and the concealed meaning behind them.

 

 

 

Final board display

Light Boxes

Taking elements from the plaster light box castings and making a series of four silk organza forms concealing the small plaster components, each painted with luminous paint. Each marking represents a thought or memory embedded within the brain that is hidden or fogotten.

Robert Ryman

I have always had a great admiration for the the work of Robert Ryman. From reading an article about particular elements to consider when putting together an exhibiton, his main concern is lighting and its perception by the viewer.
 in his statement Ryman writes: “In my studio I see the paintings with daylight from above, on cloudy and sunny days, and in incandescent light, in various strengths, without daylight. It is not just the intensity of the light, but the direction of the source that is important, and in each light situation the paintings looked different. At one point, I thought I would not be able to show the paintings because I could not know how they would look. How is someone going to know how the paintings work with light? However, I quickly got over that. Paintings don’t have much meaning unless they go out into the world”.

Light boxes in the dark

I found that photographing the light boxes in darkness quite challenging, as the paint can only be revelaled in complete darkness. But here is the evdence of the hidden colour whithin the sampes, contained within the light boxes.

Minimalism

How the storage space for retaining memories is restircted, and applying this to my drawing.
Blanking out spaces.

Memory research

Scientists have come to realise that our memories are not inert pockets of data and they dont remain constant.
Even though every memory feels like an honest representation, that sense of authenticity is the biggest lie of all.
Everytime we recall an event, the structure of that memory in the brain is altered in the light of the present moment, warped by our current feelings and knowledge.

Erasing memory

Blocking out and Blank spaces.. From watching the film the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, about how two people have eachother erased from their memories.

But perhaps some part of you will never forget what has passed and is embedded within your deepest of memoreis and can never truly be erased.

Light reflective markings

Experimenting with luminous paint, thinking about how the markings are concelaed when shown in the light and then revealed in the dark.

Concealing and revealing light

Using luminous paint to seal light into the silk organza cube forms (light boxes). When shown under light they appear to be a neutural tone and then the colour is revealed when shown in darkness.

Plaster light boxes

Finding ways of concelaing light, casting 'light boxes' in plaster and coating the inside of them with luminous paint.

The light bulb effect

Thinking about how memories are imprinted within our minds and how like a light bulb effect certain memories are remembered. How the thought is concealed and then the action is revealed.
Using gesso as a way of concealing the light bulbs.

Block amp drawing

Pen drawing using individual dotted marks to represent the indivdual neurons within the brain to form a complete circuit.

Circuit stitches

Creating samples of stitched networks, a mass of french knots and hanging threads.

Brain circuits

The brain has billions of neurons, arranged in complex circuits that allow us to percieve the world, control our movements and make decisions.
Deciphering these circuits is critical to understanding how the brain works and what goes wrong in neurological disorders.

Block amp fuses

Thinking about how a fuse could represent the brain, as it controls activity. Trying to find ways of incorporating fuses in stitched samples to express the idea of a journey to the brain.

Block amps

Making my own circuits using block amps, thinking about the repetitive nature of the amps and perhaps how I could use these on a mass scale.

Agnes Martin

From looking at minimalist art such as the work of Agnes Martin, thinking about how her work is very ordered and clinical. I intend to make my samples with these elements in mind. Trying to find ways of representing something very complex but in an ordered and structured way.

Thread thoughts

How thoughts could be represented in a linear form,and how the journey of the thoughts could be represented in stitch.

Brain Circuits

Carrying on research from the unit x project and thinking about the workings of the brain and how to make some kind of order from a subject that is very complex. How the brain forms a circuit that controls activity within the body. 

Final installation

Final Exhibition

Magnetism Division

The final samples exhibited at Blank Space Media. I made three pieces for the installation, each of these samples express the magnetic element to my project as each individual resin cast is connected to the fabric with a small magnet. The hanging threads represent the magnetic activity that occurs in the brain. The installation reflects my research in a minimalist form.

Final write- up

Magnetism Division

 

My work has come together to reflect Magnetism and Control in relation to the Manchester Music Scene of the 1970s and 1980s and the band Joy Division. The city became a 'magnet' drawing people in, a mass of people all attracted to places where they were sure to experience a vibrant and interesting time.

Ian Curtis from the band Joy Division has been a very influential part of my work. Listening to his lyrics filled with imagery of desolation and emptiness. Trying to portray his struggle with depression and epilepsy, he was as controlling as he was uncontrollable.

The idea of controlling the reaction through magnetism, and magnetic systems:
Resin entrapments containg iron filings, connected on the fabric using magnets, representative of the uncontrollable reaction of mass of people being attracted to the music scene and how the music controlled them.
Resin entrapped straws, representative of the electrmagnetic systems in the brain in relation to how Ian Curtis suffered from epilepsy and his fight to take control of it.

'Confusion in her eyes that says it all.

She's lost control.'

The piece is a delicate response to my reasearch about the Manchester Music Scene but thinking more about the scientific elements and creating a regimented controlled structure of a magnetic form.

Unit X summary

Reflecting on how Unit X has been over the past few months, I have so much appreciation for having the opportunity to work in such a fantastic environment as Hotspur House. It helped me generate so many ideas by just looking around the workspace, there was always some visual inspiration.

 Also I have furthered my knowledge about the Manchester Music Scene, in particular about Joy Division and Ian Curtis. I didn't think that that was the way my project was going to go, but I went with it and I'm really pleased that I did. During this project I have experimented with many different types of materials such as magnets. I have found that the link between textiles and science is very interesting and it is something that I would like to explore more in future projects. 

I look forward to our exhibition, we have a lovely space and hopefully it will generate a lot of people visiting the gallery at blank space. I think we have pushed the boundaries of Textiles and the outcome of our work from this project has been created from quite industrial materials.

It has been the best project for me so far in terms of pushing me to really explore what I want from my work, and having time to think abut the processes.

Postcard image ideas

Another possible image for the postcard..

Postcard ideas

I would maybe like this to be the image I eventually put on the potcard..


Textile In Practice


Hannah Sulek - hansulek@hotmail.com

Magnetism Division


Im not sure about the name yet but I was thinking as Joy division and magnetism have been the main foucus of the project it might be a good idea..

Hanging Resin Straws

Experimenting with ways of displaying the resin casts, using magnets attached through the fabric attracted to the iron filings set in the resin. I intend to use a similar idea for my exhibition, through the connection of magnetismand making a hanging form with threads falling through the fabric also.

Resin Straws

Thinking of ways to create this linear connection. I initially didn'tthink this idea of setting the resin in drinking straws would work, I thought the resin would just stick and would'nt peel off.. However I am really pleased with how they have formed. I intend to try several ieas I have of how to display the straws, by entrapping them in fabric and also having them attached by the magnets to see how they hang..

The brain and magnetic activity

Thinking of ways to connect my samples through magnetism. Making networking systems using magnets and magnetic painted threads.. Taking inspiration from imgaes of how wires can be connected to the body, in particular the brain, as it is a main example of a networking system. Also relating back to my past thoughts about Ian Curtis and his struggle to control his epilepsy. Linking these ideas, of trying to control something through magnetism..

Resin entrapments

Experimenting more with the iron filings entrapped in resin, then using a magnet to create movement within them. Also trying to create some kind of ordre and thinking about how I could possibly embroider them onto fabric, or use magnets to connect them to something. Still thinking how to create this idea of a magnetic network, and making connections.

Eva Hesse

I have been very much inspired by the work of Eva Hesse, her drawings and structured pieces express ideas of ordered arrangements in a regimented style. I have been applying a similar idea to my own work, creating somekind of control and order to how I have structured my samples. For myfinal exhibition piece I plan to make a series of hanging forms as part of a instalation piece and I think Eva Hesse has so many amazing examples of this. In particular I have been looking at how she arranges her pieces within the sapce in order to make as big an impact as possible, she seems to keep the arrangment very structured and tidy, this is what i would like my work to portary also as our group have discussed the ideas of a space that is quite clinical and clean looking, in keeping with our collaboration of textiles and science.

Victoria May

From seeing this image in the book By Hand her aim was to illustrate the idea of heaviness as a comfort.
This really reminded me of the piece I made entrpping the iron filings into the fabric, I di like the weight of the fabric caused by the metal, and this is what she has created here.

Metal Paste

I made my own metal paste using metal powder, glue and water. I then painted it onto the fabric. I was quite difficult to stitch into but the idea of the sample is to portray the idea of opposites attracting like magnets.

Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst, "In and Out of Love (White Paintings and Live Butterflies)", installation view, 1991

Still thinking about this idea of conrolling the reaction and entrapping it somehow. This piece by Damien Hirst keeping the butterflys in a closed-off environment and controlling what they do in just one space. Its making me think how I can use space and take control of the reaction within my piece, entrapping the reaction.

Entrapped iron filings

Still thinking about the ieda of control and entrapment. Here I have made a regimented structure of small pockets each holding a small amount of iron filings. Thie piece has quite a weight to it and I intend to really experiment with this idea and make bigger samples using a similar structure. Each if the french knots represents the electromagnets in the brain and the networking systems are shown through the loose threads. The iron rusted when i bleachedthe fabric and left it dampbut I quite like the colour left on the fabric and I intend to explore this more.

Controlling the attraction

Recently from researching for my contextualising practice essay I have broadened my knowledge about Communism and how it had such a huge imapct on design and art. I have taken this idea of very regemented structure when making these pieces. I wanted to control the attraction of the magnets, and so Ive made these small samples entrapping iron filings and embedding the magnets within the fabric to see the kind of movement the magnets cause, but to keep this reaction within a small, controlled environment.

Sketchbook drawings

Thinking about the structure of the sample and how I can apply this the other ideas. Looking at the movment of the iron filings an then eventually how they settle into place.

CV

Curriculum Vitae Hannah Sulek

Personal Details

Name: Hannah Michele Sulek

Email: hansulek@hotmail.com  

Blog:   http://hansulek.blogspot.co.uk/

 Practice

Currently my practice reflects conceptual art-based pieces, connecting my love for embroidery and also history. I enjoy researching for projects as some of the projects I have done reflect quite sensitive issues or events, and so it does often require a lot of historical research. I’m constantly reading about artists and designers in order to gain a clear understanding of the type of concept I would like my own work to reflect.

My most recent project has allowed me to be a part of a collaborative group, and we have meetings on a regular basis discussing our current ideas and also sharing ideas about other members in the groups work. The theme for the project has been ‘Interrogating Manchester’, and I have been looking at how the city is a ‘magnet’ for drawing people in on mass, I then related this idea to the Manchester Music Scene, in particular the band member of Joy Division Ian Curtis and how he suffered from epilepsy. I have make connections with this research relating the ideas about magnetism to the electromagnetic activity in the brain. I have been entrapping iron filings and magnets in fabrics and seeing the different reactions I can create, hopefully these ideas will be shown in a final piece to be exhibited.

Education and Qualifications

GCSE’s St Gabriels R.C High School – (2003-2008)

(A*)- 1 - Music

(A)- 6- Physical Education, Religious Studies, English Literature, English Language, History, Art and Design.

(B)- Mathematics

(C)- Additional Science

A levels Holy Cross Sixth Form College- (2008-2010)

(A)- Art and Design

(B)- History

(A) Textiles –As level.

BTEC Manchester School of Art- (2010-2011)

Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Distinction

Work experience

Forensic Investigation – Bradford Park (2007)

I spent a week work-shadowing a Forensic Investigator, I was shown all the different department within Forensics, including DNA, Footprints and Fingerprints. I found my week there extremely fascinating and I was able to approach what I had seen in a creative way as it was all very visual.

Imagining Bury (2009)

I was given the opportunity to participate in a group project called ‘Imagining Bury’ with the artist Emily Campbell. We were able to take part in several workshops leading up to creating a public art piece to be part of the new Townside Health Centre. During the workshops we were set a creative writing task about inspirational sites around Bury and we related them to images we later developed using photoshop.

St Mary’s Hospital ( Annie Harrison) (2012)

Earlier this year I worked with the Textile Artist Annie Harrison over a few days helping her construct and installation piece. She was willing to let us tell her our opinions and possible ideas of the positioning of the piece. The exhibition was at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.

Whitworth Art Gallery, ‘Serious About Art’ (2012)

I spent a weekend doing some work experience with Textile Artist Kate Egan, helping as an assistant with the workshops. Together with the people taking part in the workshops we made a collaborative piece and also helped them with techniques such as stitch.

Employment

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum (2010-present)

During my time working at the Museum I have gained a variety of skills, the job requires me to be very versatile as I work I the Museum Galleries and in the Cafe. Whilst working in the Galleries I do 30 minute demonstrations of the old textile machinery and each time I work there I learn something new. It has been a great opportunity to broaden my knowledge about the Textile Industry. Also I run craft sessions with the children visiting the Museum during the school holidays.

Hollister Co (2012-present)

From working in retail, there is a great contrast in comparison to my other job, but again I have gained skills from working in Hollister, as customer care is the main thing the managers expect from their employees and it has also developed my communication skills.

Referees

Kate Egan
Head of Textiles in Practice
Manchester School of Art Manchester Metropolitan University
Tony Ratcliffe Programme Leader, Foundation Art and Design Manchester School of Art

Annie Harrison

www.annieharrison.co.uk

Louise Jacobson

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

Magnetic paint sample

Using magnetic paint on fabric and hand-stitch. Thinking about networking the threads and connecting the fabrics coated in magnetic paint together.

Joy division and Ian Curtis

From researching the Mancheter music scene Ive gathered certain information about the journey of the band Joy Division and their troubled band member Ian Curtis. At first I was attracted to the design of the album cover Unknown Pleasures as it reminded me of one of my samples from the last project, in the sample I had used drawn thread work. However it also made me think that a magnet could maybe be attracting the lines in that direction. Also I became quite interested that Ian Curtis suffered from epliepsy and it made me think about the functioning of the brain and that I could somehow link my idea about magnetism to the electromagnetic fields in the brain.