ABSTRACT

ASSIGNMENT

ABSTRACT FORMS.

EXPLORING ABSTRACTION IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

The relationship between photography and abstraction is fascinating. Unlike other visual art forms which begin with a blank space or surface that has to be filled by the artist, photography begins with a world full of information. The conventional job of the photographer is to select and capture a small portion of reality in a relatively faithful manner. However, it could be argued that all art, including photography, is essentially abstract. Photographs are versions of reality. They are flat. They have edges. Photographs are artful selections. They are silent. In the early years of photography, certain artists understood this aspect of the medium and emphasised the abstract qualities of photographs and the disinterested eye of the camera. This tradition of abstraction in photography continues to the present day.

"The enemy of photography is the convention, the fixed rules of 'how to do'. The salvation of photography comes from the experiment."

- Laszlo Moholy-Nagy

"What lives in pictures is very difficult to define... it finally becomes a thing beyond the thing portrayed."

- Francis Bruguière

ABSTRACT PAPER CONSTRUCTIONS.

FRANCIS BRUGUIERE 'CUT PAPER ABSTRACTION'

Bruguière was an American photographer who moved to London in 1928 where he began to experiment with non representational photography. Of these, the cut paper abstractions are particularly beautiful. The photographer exploits the endlessly subtle qualities of both paper and light, manipulating both in order to create complex patterns of texture and form.

JAROSLAV ROSSLER 'AKT'

Rössler was a Czech avant-garde photographer who became known for combining different styles of modern photography including cubism, futurism, constructivism, new objectivity, and abstraction. His photographs often reduced images to elementary lines and shapes, exploring the contrast of light and shade. He experimented with a wide range of techniques and processes including photograms and double exposures.

VJEKO SAGER 'ANTIMATTER'

Sager is a contemporary artist whose series 'Antimatter' combines cut paper abstractions reminiscent of those by Francis Bruguière with charcoal drawings. Whereas Bruguière's images explore dramatic contrasts of light and shade, Sager's photographs are much lighter in tone. The cuts in the paper are mostly located in the central section of the paper. They tend be to be shorter and straighter, producing subtle disruptions of the paper's surface that remind me of architects' models.

JERRY REED 'PAPER WORK'

"Over time, I have come to see that what motivates me is the result of my having redirected how I make images, turning from the externally directed position of witness to that of author. In so doing, I accept the entire authorship of the creative process from my creation of the paper sculpture to making of the fine art print. Paper Work, my current three-year project is comprised of twenty-six images. In my studio, I shaped two-dimensional art papers giving them edges and volumes, then lit them dramatically utilizing Fresnel lighting to emphasize their three-dimensional forms. Though ephemeral, my forms are preserved photographically."

Photographer Jerry Reed cites both Rössler and Bruguière as influences on his work. His objective and analytical approach to documenting visual effects may reflect his early career as a scientist.

TAMARA LORENZ.

German artist Tamara Lorenz creates various constructions which she then photographs to exploit their abstract properties. The addition of strong planes of colour provide another source of contrast in addition to those of line, shape, tone and texture.

Rather than photographs of things, each image seems to create its own reality. Consequently, the viewer is unable to recognise a conventional subject and is occupied with the business of looking.

ABSTRACT IN THE REAL WORLD

ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHERS.

For the second part of this project you will need to research an abstract artist to influence your work. You can look at the ones suggested below or use the "Links" page on the site to research and find your own. It is best to search for artists that generally inspire you.

Andrea Stone 2

Andrea Stone 1

Toru Takagi

Paul Strand 1

Nila Onda

Offer Goldfarb

Ángel Gurría-Quintana

Amy Lee Hochman

Konstans Zafeiri

Larry Simon

Alan Henriksen

Laura Domela

EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES TO CREATE ABSTRACT EFFECTS.

Maurizio Galimberti

Victoria Siemer 1

Jelle Martens

INDEPENDENT STUDY.

Aim: To encourage you to think about and experiment with non-representational images. Focusing on formal elements and light/tone.

Practical work: You are required to:

Create a title page explaining the task and how you approached it.

Create a brainstorm exploring the theme and its relevant ides and concepts. (Formal elements, what is and the meaning of Abstract Photography etc).

Look at the paper construction artists to gain inspiration for your own constructions. Try combining different ideas and concepts together and push creative ideas and outcomes.

Create your own practical response inspired by your chosen artists.
- Using a single or multiple sheets of paper, white or colour, manipulate it to create interesting forms, marks and shapes. Experiment with different methods, such as crumpling, tearing, folding neatly, layering, cutting neatly or cutting with a knife quickly.
- Use light direction and tone to play with the form of your paper, how can the light emphasize your form, shape, tone and pattern on your paper.
- Create a series of 6 images, presented neatly in your book, using different techniques inspired by your chosen artists. Could you combine them somehow? Or do them separately and compare them?
- Remember to frame your images carefully, consider composition. Do you want to compose close up? Further away and leave space? Consider angles to best capture your creation.
- Use your Photoshop skills to refine and experiment with the colours, composition, light and tone of your images.
- A clear link to the artists and excellent visual quality are essential. Use the guide "How to present a shoot" in the "How to" link below.

Create an artist research section using the artists above as well as any you discover yourself. How to complete this section will be explained by your teacher in lessons.

Create a second practical response, developing on your chosen artists and own ideas.
- Consider what made your artists work so successful, lighting, composition etc.
- Take many images exploring multiple ideas, themes and concepts. Remember to experiment with different ways that you can manipulate light to create interesting textures and compositions.
- Make sure to experiment with your images and ideas.
- Create a final series of 6 images, presented neatly in your book, as a series. Meaning they all have a clear visual theme (Curvy lines against straight/ Focusing on strong shadows etc)
- Remember to frame your images carefully, consider composition. Do you want to compose close up? Further away and leave space? Consider angles to best capture your subject.
- Try to NOT SIMPLY MIMIC YOUR ARTISTS, it should be your own ideas and concepts. Influences from artists however are needed but should be develop further by your own experiments and concepts.
- A clear link to the artists and excellent visual quality are essential. Use the guide "How to present a shoot" in the "How to" link below.

Create a practical response developing and exploring more experimental abstract features.
- Create a "brief" artist research of the experimental artists that should be no more then one A3 side for all three combined! Use small notes to discuss the key features and their impact on the image.
- Using your previous images from your second shoot print out and begin to experiment with different techniques inspired by your three artists.
- Create at least one "piece" per artists, meaning you should have three in total.
- Try to NOT SIMPLY MIMIC YOUR ARTISTS, it should be your own ideas and concepts. Influences from artists however are needed but should be develop further by your own experiments and concepts.
- A clear link to the artists and excellent visual quality are essential. Use the guide "How to present a shoot" in the "How to" link below.