russian!!!!

preservation

The main theme of sonnet 19 I want to explore is preservation. So I have 'built' this little bonsai like tree with paper autumn leaves out of a shakespearean play. I plan to place this in a bell jar to make it more like a preserved scientific specimen. Yes that is blue tak on the tree... im not confident enough to glue them yet... still draft!!

russian!!!!

So this is my initial rough design for sonnet 64.
The plan for this one is to have 2 designs on transparencies, one behind the other. The abstract one will be in front, while the eye will sit behind. Im just thinking where or how to incorporate the text for this one.

Project Proposal

For all you lovely friends who are taking the time to look at my stuff, but who actually have no idea what I'm doing...

Theatre in the round

I have been brainstorming and sketching some ideas for the display of my project. Although the entire project requires the display of 154 assemblages, my major project will only display my 9. I researched a bit into theatre styles, like proscenium, thrust and in the round. I have decided to work with the 'in the round' style of display for my project.


In the round is basically a platform in the centre of the audience, which  can be viewed from every angle. I feel this works for my project as it will allow for better vision, easy movement around pieces, it encourages interaction and it doesn't dictate a certain direction or progression for viewing the assemblages.


I also felt that the circular display worked well with many of the themes of the sonnets, like time, cycles, life. 


Below are 2 ideas for the visuals on the round display. I feel that a lightly textured or visual surface would enrich the viewing experience.

On the left are the plans for Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London, while on the right is a light textured pattern of text.

Sonnet {98}

From you have I been absent in the spring,
When proud-pied April dress'd in all his trim
Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing,
That heavy Saturn laugh'd and leap'd with him.
Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odour and in hue
Could make me any summer's story tell,
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew;
Nor did I wonder at the lily's white,
Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;
They were but sweet, but figures of delight,
Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.
   Yet seem'd it winter still, and, you away,
   As with your shadow I with these did play.

Visual analysis attempt!

Above is a rough visual analysis of the 9 Sonnets I'm working on. I chose certain colour 'keys' for different themes or emotions and placed a corresponding line of colour where it appears in the sonnet. 

Submission Brief

Entries must: 


Take the form of an assemblage  (An artistic process in which a three-dimensional artistic composition is made from putting together found objects)


Act as a visual aid for an accompanying Sonnet. Think as if it is a stage set.


Designs can be as abstract or as literal as you wish, but they must explore/identify/evoke the themes an or narratives within the chosen Sonnet


The Sonnet text must be included


Entries must be individual self contained pieces, and must not exceed 50x50x50 cm

Intro/plaque

Below is my brainstorming for the content of my introduction/plaque. This shall accompany the exhibition, providing insight into the reasoning for the project. It shall contain the following, elaborated:

• Introduction to a Sonnet.. what is a sonnet?
• the timelessness of Shakespeare's work: how the stories, characters and situations are still relevant to a contemporary audience
• The problems encountered when accessing the language and narrative present within the Sonnets

• The importance of the VISUAL: 
• I am creating a  visual platform for 'readings' of the sonnets
• The visuals will highlight some of the multiple various interpretations that are possible 
• I am designing a stage for the sonnets, similar to a theatrical production
• This in turn informs the visual framework for viewer interpretations
• The language is given a visual-aid, while maintaing the important contrasting elements of the spectacle and intimacy of the poems

This just in...

In massive inactive slump... nothing is working dammzit.

Bardy sketches

Thinking of my little booklet/invitation, perhaps I could integrate some sketches into it to give it some texture? I am definitely NOT a drawer though!

Perfume book design

Perfume Book cover design by Gabriele Wilson, Photography by Erwin von Dessauer

I love the type in this cover. I may use this style for text in Sonnet {62} but perhaps a bit less of that 'Moulin Rougey' look!

18th Century French Fashion

 

Brainstorming for Sonnet {62}

While flowers are busy being pressed, I've started brainstorming for Sonnet {62}:



Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye
And all my soul and all my every part;
And for this sin there is no remedy,
It is so grounded inward in my heart.
Methinks no face so gracious is as mine,
No shape so true, no truth of such account;
And for myself mine own worth do define,
As I all other in all worths surmount.
But when my glass shows me myself indeed,
Beated and chopp'd with tann'd antiquity,
Mine own self-love quite contrary I read;
Self so self-loving were iniquity.
   'Tis thee, myself, that for myself I praise,
   Painting my age with beauty of thy days.

I've been thinking about suggestions of designing each assemblage in a certain 'period' or artistic style, in order to create a visual and conceptually associated framework and also to reinforce the numerous readings one can have to each Sonnet.

So the above Sonnet {62}, conjured up images of 18th Century France, a time of indulgence.  The 'speaker' or narrator or writer of the Sonnet seems self indulgent, vain and narcissistic, i immediately drew parallels to this time period. This time in France, the upper class were drowning in wealth and good and riches. Fashion was a huge part of the time, with beautiful silks and cottons. The men and women of the day would wear nothing but the finest and most elaborate costumes. Think Dangerous Liaisons, Marie Antoinette, minus those devious converse. 

My brainstorming has led me to this era being the 'stage' for Sonnet {62}. There is also an air of humour within the Sonnet, which I think works well with this elite French ideal of the time. Please note that while these Lords and Ladies, Barons and Baronesses  were fluffing about, having their dress hoops squeezed through double doorways, the rest of the country was starving. This age of utter social blindness and cultural overconsumption (while definitely despicable behaviour) has a humour to it. 

Sonnet {57}

Being your slave, what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire?
I have no precious time at all to spend,
Nor services to do, till you require.
Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hour
Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,
Nor think the bitterness of absence sour
When you have bid your servant once adieu;
Nor dare I question with my jealous thought
Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,
But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought
Save, where you are how happy you make those.
   So true a fool is love that in your will,
   Though you do any thing, he thinks no ill. 

Sonnet {57}

Sonnet {59}

If there be nothing new, but that which is

Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled,
Which, labouring for invention, bear amiss
The second burden of a former child.
O, that record could with a backward look,
Even of five hundred courses of the sun,
Show me your image in some antique book,
Since mind at first in character was done!
That I might see what the old world could say
To this composed wonder of your frame;
Whether we are mended, or whe'er better they,
Or whether revolution be the same.
O, sure I am, the wits of former days
To subjects worse have given admiring praise.

Sonnet {59}

Bard Box Blog Begin!!

Inspired by Joseph Cornell's 'assemblages', my project is a visual interpretation of 9 of Shakespeare's Sonnets. My aim is to design a different way or medium through which to explore the Sonnets. Some find Shakespearean language difficult to understand, whether read or spoken, therefore my project creates an opportunity to people to engage with Shakespeare visually.


Although we all tend to study Shakespeare at school as a text, it is meant to be viewed or performed. The language is performative, the meter is to be spoken, his works are 'speech-acts'. This notion of the 'spectacle' I am aiming to maintain. My project will endeavour to create sets or stages for individual interpretations of the Sonnets.


Hopefully my visual interpretation will reinforce the timelessness of shakespearean texts and allow people a greater understanding and easier access to the ideas explored.