Research for Unit X

My research for Unit X has been somewhat ongoing. I have engaged myself in online research, but also physical research and development. So far I have:

• Been inspired by existing performances by artist's and how I could link them to the theme of appropriation. Furthermore this has lead me to be inspired by biblical imagery and the definition of 'The Fallen Woman'
• I have been to a few exhibitions at different galleries and picked out key pieces I have noticed that I feel link to appropriation, and then written about them.
• After thinking about mediums in which I could translate my work the best in, I discovered that performance could be the better way. I'd considered this briefly earlier on in the development of my work, but took the idea on fully after attending a workshop with the performance artist Angela Bartram
• I have also tried to engage myself with other students during Unit X. I have the collaborative aspect of working with other students to put on an exhibition, but I have also helped out a 3rd year with her work, and attended a few 2nd year exhibitions, which has inspired me with brief ideas that I could explore further. It has also made me aware of what tasks I need to carry out in order to work together with my group to put on a successful exhibition.

Several aspects of my research have influenced my ideas and their development. Earlier on in my blog posts I talked about how I took a camera around with me in the early stages of Unit X to photograph anything that might inspire. I also had a brief idea to look into biblical and classical imagery, this now being a main focus in my work.
This is the blog post in which I wrote about these initial ideas: http://ellenmoss.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/last-week-i-tore-down-all-past-work-in.html

I began by looking into the definition of 'The Fallen Woman' and how it links to figures of the past such as Mary Magdalene. I also had a look into how I could take the idea and apply it to modern day, by referring it to 'slut shaming'.

 

From looking into these ideas I discovered the Magdalene Laundries' of the past and this has been a strong influence of my work. I have since then come up with a performance piece inspired by this, that involves me washing clothes like the women put in these institutions where made to, but I slowly stain them with blood. This piece is very symbolic and reflects all aspects of my earlier research as I have chosen to wear red whilst doing this as it represents 'sexuality, lust and sin', and also is the colour Mary Magdalene was seen to commonly wear.

My piece has also strongly reflected my research into performance art, one particular piece it reflects is Marina Abramovic's 'Balkan Baroque' where the artist sits and scrubs cow bones for hours on end and gets slowly more emotional as she tells stories of her homeland.

 



 

Another strong piece that stood out to me was when I saw Riike Enna's 'Future of Venus' at The Manchester Art Gallery. I had never seen a live piece of performance art before and it stuck with me and urged me to create my own piece.
I feel that I have done well with research during Unit X, you can see how each piece I have written about in my blog has influenced me and I have taken time to visit places to extend my research. I have also researched into a new medium that I can express my ideas with, and I feel like I can carry on with performance art after Unit X.