process-productionryanmurphy

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Process and Production evaluation - Ryan Murphy. 

Following on from the last module I of self protection I wanted to look at self destruction for pleasure and improved mental health, specifically through a kink/BDSM lense. I originally planned for my final piece to be a display of the impact tools alongside a video of them in use in one of Glasgows underground few fetish events. Taking inspiration from artists such as Gareth Knight, Allen Jones and Arnulf Reiner I aimed to create art that was visually impactful outside of the relms of a purely kink lense.

During the process I realised that the videos that I had recorded would pose an issue as a few of the participants became uncomfortable with the idea that their face would be included in the final video, they are not out as a kinky individual and worried they may be recognised. From this point I started to produce a couple of different mummified (full body encasement in cling film and tape, fully restricting movement). The first being a straight bodied wrap that unfortunately was crushed while in transit to college. This resulted in a change of positions for the model as well as facturig in other materials to help add more internal structure to the figure. The second attempt (the one in the exhibition space) was much more successful, adding thick card stock to the initial wrap had the desired effect and allowed the tape to hold shape better. 

Moving forward from the finished mummification in a seated position I elected to use a clothes rail. I used this to hold my personal kink gear, repurposing it to hold the impact tools that I had produced throughout this module. I feel that this layer of height and adding the bound humanesque figue below forces the audience to see the impact tools as more important than the actual figure itself. My hope is that people use the tools to inflict imaginary pain on the figure and to document their emotional responses to the expierinece. I have given the figure the ability to consent to the expierience as I was the model for it. Does consent from an insnimate object affect a participant's willingness to let go and cause damage to it? 

I was inspired by both Allen Jones and Gareth Knight as their work centers around kink and BDSM practices. Jones' use of cast figures in his body of work did help in deciding how to construct my final mummification position. By keeping the figure on its knees, similar to Jones' piece ‘Table’, it allowed for a more structurally secure version of the position. Gareth Knight also utilises natural materials (rocks and untreated hemp rope) in his large scale shibari exhibition/performance pieces which influenced my decician to incorporate the roses as the pain inflicting tool. 

Once the figure was formed and the tools completed I had time to evaluate the process in its entirety. It had many faults and disruptions due to unforeseen circumstances, for example people revoking their consent, which is absolutely not a problem, and some of the components being too fragile to travel without breaking.  

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[process-productionryanmurphy]

Final 10 images + Project statement

Throughout this module, I have studied artists that utilise pain based practices in order to create impactful art. I chose to look at this through a BDSM lens and focus on why we take part in these activities, mainly on its impact on our mental health.

Through a mixed media approach and careful consideration of materials I chose to create an interactive final exhibition. I hope for people to use the impact tools available to beat the body I have made. This was after issues arose with my preplanned photography and videography work, showing the tools in use in my chosen sight was no longer an option.

I feel that it has ended up being a lot more impactful as an installation piece, I can watch people and gauge their responses more clearly as an observer myself.

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[process-productionryanmurphy]

Developments

After removing the full body wrap I patched it back together using the fragile tape and closed off the neck. I like the idea of this person being anonymous, it can be whoever interacts with it, what's it to be. Someone you love, someone you hate, yourself even. When people interact with this humanesque object they will feel many different things, I want them to write what they experienced, how they felt. Did they enjoy inflicting imagery pain on something that can't feel and doesn't mind?

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Development

After the first mummification attempt was crushed in transit I chose to change the position of the figure to a kneeling pose (a position common in Dom/sub dynamics). I added extra layers of cling film, paper, duct tape and the final layer of the fragile tape. The process is done in sections, usually starting with the legs until everything is covered.

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Finished impact implement

Working with wood was a pretty new thing for me, getting it cut down to size and everything to do with it was definitely new to my art practice but something that I would very much like to carry on in the future.

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Further rope development

I wanted to test different placements of the rope on the flowers. Tying the bud was beautiful and took a lot of patience but I fear the long term survivability of what I need it to do will not be met, the rope helps strengthen the stem but it also weighs down the flower.

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Rope development

I am going to use the newly tied up roses as another impact implement. The thorns add extra pain if nothing else but the sentimental impact will be much more prominent I believe. Knowing they are typically a romantic gift, the same can be said for receiving pain from a partner if a dynamic is shared.

Using common shibari ties I bound the stems of the roses to try and create a thicker base for impact that hopefully will reduce the risk of them breaking upon impact.

I added the leather grip at the end to introduce a feeling of comfort and familiarity with the flowers. Usually anything that is held has a grip on it for comfort and to allow you to hold it tighter. The shibari was a beautiful way of attaching it and I think these flowers also stand alone as an art piece.

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Original photos

Pink roses typically symbolise admiration, happiness, and love. More subtle than the traditional bold red rose, pink roses are often used to signify a strong friendship or the love between people. Pink roses can also represent admiration and respect towards someone close to you.

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Original photos

I want to use roses, a traditional gift for those you love, and use it as an impact implement. Would you be willing to be hit with something that could and most likely would scratch you and leave thorns in you?

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Health and Safety/Studio Practice checklist

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Final impact implement

I am pleased with the finished results, it has enough weight and rigidity to be used for its intended purpose. The spikes are a small nod to the roses that I have used throughout my practice.

I am looking forward to seeing it used in person (photos will be added) .

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Original images - Inspiration

I keep the majority of the flowers that my partner buys me. There are always some, either fresh and new or drying out, during the day I forget they are there and at night the light moves the silhouette of them onto the wall.

It's much like my partner, during the day I see him and we can be close but at night when I'm awake and he's asleep is when I miss him being around and the flowers make me smile.

Using them in this process would be very personal and I feel it's a message that would be understood by most. The connotation is so strong and ingrained in us.

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Developments

Adding the screw in spikes became slightly difficult due to the inside of the card having cavities. The punch tool I was using got stuck and removing it was difficult but everything else went relatively smoothly.

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Developments

I tested a few different thicknesses of cards to determine the rigidity of them and how they would hold up while in use. I found that by creating a single piece that I could screw the spikes into one side and fold it to have the screw ends covered.

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Art account

I have attached my art Instagram account as further evidence that this is a topic that means a lot to me. Engagement with the kink community and seeing how people interact with one another to make each other feel good is fascinating. Some are into bondage, sadism, masochism and some are into being treated like a pet, either way these seemingly degrading acts are truly just allowing people to feel joy and pleasure from the acts they take part in.

It is a beautiful bond that is formed during intense play like this, full immobilisation leaves the person vulnerable, they have entrusted you to keep them safe and to fulfill their needs but it is all built in trust and a need to feel pleasure through pain.

[process-productionryanmurphy]

Tape mummification first attempt

Using the human form is integral to my work as there can be no mental gain if there is no one there to enjoy it.

Using layers of cling film, duct tape and the fragile tape I fully encased the models body, keeping their head free. This method of mummification has grown increasingly popular within the kinky gay community. The vulnerability it provides is exhilarating for the person wrapping and the person being wrapped. The options for what to do with them once they are restrained are endless but do rely on creativity and problem solving.

I have chosen to add an extra element to my body of work by adding this body and the impact tools to the end of year installation in the gallery space.

The logistics of carrying this cast around have become tricky due to how thin the 'skin' of tape is.