Building Bridges

I recently went from London to Leeds by coach, and between Sheffield and Leeds I started to notice the extensive amount of bridges there were. So i started to take pictures of every one we passed. I missed out a few on the way because t my annoyance the camera I had with me was shite. However, I feel that the grainy effect you get from the motion of the bus coupled with the slow, unadjustable shutter speed gives the series of pictures a reminiscent feeling of long distance travel. You are reminded of all the little things your eyes try so hard to focus on as you speed past the landscape that you wish you had more time to study.


Here are a few pics from the series

Translucent Concrete

/See-through Concrete\

Found this Blog: http://greenlineblog.com/2008/08/litracon-light-transmitting-concrete/ It is about a material that I have become increasingly interested in - translucent concrete.


The material - from the company LiTraCon (Light Transmitting Concrete) - works by adding 4% of optical glass fibres to a fine concrete mix, which in turn makes it possible for light and shadow to be seen through the concrete. Light can still be seen through it at 20 metres thick. Their website is here. The only problem for me is that the concrete is very expensive! Here is the price list:

Knowing that I can not afford to buy this material, I really want to try and make my own version of it. I would have to buy some fiber optic cables and some concrete and then find the best way to get light to pass through. I have tried looking on the internet for places that sell the type of glass fibre optic cable that I need, but at the moment I can't find anywhere, which is a bit annoying. I am about to send an email to this company asking them if they could supply me with it.


I have already had countless ideas of what i could do with a material like this, so I am really exited about getting my hands dirty!

Christoph Niemann

I just stumbled across this on the internet... The artists name is Christoph Niemann. I was really interested in the quirky approach he takes to his work. He has very simple ideas that work extremely well. I am mainly interested in his series of leaf pieces called 'Bio-Diversity', but his graphic design stuff is worth a look at too.

/Bio-Diversity feature in the NY Times\

/His Website\

The Secret Life of Machines

My tutor sent me this video the other day and I only just had a chance to look at it... It's strange how quickly technology changes...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V69ZXPJxyZs

I was really interested in the heat sensitive paper that they show in one of the later parts of the documentary, and I think it would be cool to mess around with some of it. I dunno if i could afford to use it though... its quite pricey..
http://www.gotoforms.com/thermal_fax_paper_1208_ctg.htm

Abstract America?

Yesterday I went to the Saatchi Gallery with my friend Danielle. I really recommend going. The show is called Abstract America: New Painting from the U.S. But don't just expect painting, because in my opinion the sculptures and silk prints were better than most of the painting on display. And do not just expect Abstract works either. The word ‘abstract’ has been used very loosely here.

/aagghhhhhhh. man in the way\

As you enter (for free) you are immediately confronted with this horrible, discussing, incredible sculpture, framed by the entrance to room 1. Sterling Ruby's 'Kiss Trap Kismet' is beautiful, yet morbidly repulsive. I loved it!

/Dan in front of Kiss Trap Kismet\

Another thing that was really cool was Aaron Young's 'Focus On The Four Dots In The Middle Of The Painting And Tilt Your Head Back (Frantic Fruit)'. Basicly, you do what it says on the tin: stare at the 4 black dots in the middle of the painting for 30 seconds then close your eyes and tilt your head back. Once your eyes are closed you should be able to see a portrait of Jesus, Che Guevara or Charles Manson! This piece really makes me question how the mind works. It would be interesting to find out why what happens, happens... (If that makes sense?)

/Jesus or Che Guevara?\

My First Post

I dont want to think about my first post too much because this blog is simply a way for me to record my work and to document what is going on in my life.. I considered doing the blog just about the work I produce, but I feel that everything that happens to me effects the outcomes of my work.

So now you and I know why I have set this up I will get the fuck on with it.

This is a piece of work that I did recently. The concept is not new, coz I did something similar last year, but the difference is that I have brought it into a studio/gallery environment. I'm not happy with it yet, so its a work in progress... It is for a project where I have been asked to become 'an expert in one material'.

/Bamboo Work No. 7, 2009\

/Bamboo Work No.1, 2008\