I am going to be researching various artist from various artistic mediums, who recycle in order to create their work. By recycle I am referring to using things that already exist, and re-purposing them (or combining them) to create something more. Something artistic, or to convey a message. I am doing this because I believe that I have reached a point currently where I have developed a base stylistically from which I can build upon and improve. I am going to do this by researching these artists to see how they create, why they might create, and what I can learn from their work. I think all art is inspired by something else, as nothing is created in a vacuum. The research I will be conducting through watching videos of their work (if they operate within an audio or visual medium). If they don’t and they’re more classic with the creations, as in painting or sculpting, I will try to find interviews of them discussing their work. Or analysis by other people who are experts in that respective field. I want to start thinking in a similar wavelength to these people, to elevate the process of my thoughts. I feel I am still operating from the perspective of a student or novice. I think this will be useful to help me justify what I am creating to myself, and display a higher confidence and intention in the results. I have already begun researching various artists, and noticed consistency in always remaining active. I am already incorporating this by increasing the frequency of my posts on here, already exceeding the last half of the semester.
A second topic I am undertaking is viewing different works based in the Gothic Science-Fiction and Urban-Gothic genre. I mentioned in earlier posts that I am influenced by ‘Cosmic Horror’. Cosmic Horror is thematically linked to Gothic, so I feel it is best to try and absorb as much as I can to give more inspiration to my work. I really love setting my narratives in an Industrial/Post-Industrial setting. I believe in the modern world of fiction it is more relatable to audiences than what a natural jungle is. We’re no longer afraid of what lurks in the trees and the bushes, and more afraid of what lurks in dark streets, forgotten factories, dilapidated mansions, and the shadows of a room. Modern Gothic really encapsulates this more broadly than what Cosmic Horror does in my opinion, while still thematically relating through the nihilistic view of the world and the fear of the unknown. I am going to research this by viewing various movies that fit into this genre and analyse their narrative and visuals. I will also be trying to find short stories as well, and do the same. I think I will also look into the authors of both of these mediums and see how their world view was shaped and the influence it had on their work. This avenue of research will be secondary to Recycle Artists though for the moment, as I feel that will help me advance much better. Though that may change if I find something that interests me greatly.
