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chloeharrisfna253090 · 5 years ago

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Summative assessment

One of the Themes that I looked at and enjoyed on a Monday lecturer was ‘the labyrinth and the Maze’. In the text Tim Ingold talks about walking, imagining and the education of attention. After this Monday lecturer my research consisted in looking at a lot of labyrinths and mazes. What is the difference between a labyrinth and a maze? A labyrinth has a single path which winds through it where as a maze can have many paths. So mostly you can get labyrinths in mazes or they can be separate. The design of the labyrinth simultaneously represents a puzzle and a solution, a journey and an arrival.

The word labyrinth comes from a Greek mythology. It was designed by the legendary artificer Daedalus for king Minos of Crete at Knosses. It was to hold a monster who was born from the kings wife and the love with a bull. So this is how the story went. So King Minos ordered the labyrinth to be built as a prison for minotauros. Minos' wife Pasiphae had made love with a bull and the king thought that it should be hidden from the world especially as it fed on human flesh.

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. It represents a journey to our own centre and back again out into the world. Labyrinth have long been used as meditation and prayer tools.

In the text, ‘The Labyrinth and the Maze', by Tim Ingold, goes on talking about that the streets are a Labyrinth. So when you go out on the streets or go in the city it’s explaining your ability to walk around and not knowing where to go. However it argues that the city is not a labyrinth when you consider yourself a business person. It goes on to explain that in your everyday life you get use to your surroundings and making that part of the regular routine on the way to work and it just becomes a place passing by rather than a place to wonder. I think I can argue the fact that I do think that a city or a street is like a labyrinth or a maze. My reason to this is that I believe that although some people walking around the city is normal in there every day life however, can at least one of those people say that they didn’t need to use Google maps to find there way, or signs to guide them out of the maze. Now imagine a world without signs and devices to help you out and what do you call your self in city walking around not know which way to go. Lost in the city. By architectural theory labyrinth has been linked to the archaic encounter between the nomadic and the city.

When talking about a city, we use the word labyrinth metaphorically hinting towards movement patterns. James Donald’s, ‘imagining the Modern City', shows the city and its architecture can be at once rational and irrational, observed and imagined, theoretical and empirical. show a different understanding of space, seeing it as something other and more than a field of mathematical calculation and political instrumentalism.

Some say that the labyrinth looks like a ‘natural’ pattern, reminding of the finger-print, or the interlacing intestines or the brain. I think I can relate to this as when you look at a labyrinth especially the circle ones, it does look like it and reminds us about the body of a human. It reminds us of these natural, biological forms due to the belief the labyrinth is culturally created. So this meaning that it is and artificial construction, made by humans for humans. “The idea of a labyrinth is a place in which we lose ourselves in order to find ourselves is intriguing,” said Anthony Bostrom. With this quote I believe in some level is true, but the problem that people have is if they are completely lost physically, they would mentally not be able to cope. So in some sense everyone needs a pull to their Direction I believe. ‘ To be inside and maze is to be a wildered or afraid, but it’s also to be inside a structure- lost but only up to a point.’ This quote strengthens my theory. Being exposed and not knowing it.

Robert Morris (born February 9th 1931 and died November 28th 2018) is an American artist and sculptor which designed the outdoor labyrinth as a 6-month long interactive illustration in the Donald Hall sculpture park at the nelson-Atkins Museum of art. Built on a base of concrete stone the 7-ft tall glass structure with more than 400 tons and took more than 80 crew workers to build on the site.

Why I liked this piece? The piece, glassed labyrinth, engaged with the public allowing them to experience the excitement as well as the overwhelming of bumping into the see through glass. What I find quite funny is probably the amusement this piece would of created, and making it fun. Roberts work consisted in hand making a sculpture which the public could go through. His work was made from glass which made me consider that most labyrinths or mazes have a wall you can't see through whereas his didn't. It made me think of the difference and come up with theories. Can you see through, do you know your Direction? Going back on the text I read on a walk on a Monday lecture, ‘the maze and labyrinth’, I remember him saying “education along the lines of the Labyrinth does not provide novices with stand points or positions, but continually pulls them from any positions they might adapt. I would of liked to experience going through the labyrinth and to understand more on why people would of bumped into the walls a lot? In some sense I can only relate to a piece like this by remembering going to a fair ground and going through a room full of mirrors. I have a hint that in some kind of way these two scenery are quite similar. What is quite different compared to this labyrinth to others is that most consistent shapes used in a labyrinth would be circles, squares or rectangles. So why did he choose a triangle? Triangulated and constructed of glass plate wall capped with bronze, speaks to the present in the language of modern architecture and design- streamlined, dynamic, transparent and elegant.

The transparent piece allows visitors to see each other and the landscape, while wandering around. The aim was to reach the centre and find the way out of the triangular form. This modern and unique stunning glazed piece was designed for people to experience, explore and enjoy. In his earlier work he explored space as an extension of the self. The viewers were forced to become aware of their sense of place, direction, memory, etc.

I also came across a work by Chris Skinner which is an graphics illustrator from Derbyshire. He has 14 years experience in design. He also works in several different companies making graphic design which meets the clients needs. He has worked with different range of sectors such as, broadcasting, motion graphics, print, etc. His main focus is illustration although, he has done work that consisted in 2D digital, 3D modelling, digital sculpting, motion graphics etc. Chris has his own distinctive style: it comprises a mixture of hand drawn elements and 3D modelling. The work I looked at presented the actual film from the Labyrinth and it included some of the characters from the goblin City. His piece was an print for the 1986, musical ‘labyrinth’. For inspiration, he used the original of the staircases- which was in the scene of the movie of Sarah’s bedroom wall- Relativity by M.C. Escher.

I like this piece because it consists the characters from the film which is one of my all time favourites. What I really find fascinating is that he also included some of the scenarios which are seen in the film. Right at the top of the image you have a sketch of the maze that Sarah the main character had to go though to get to the goblin city. On the right of the piece you can see another part where Ludo and Sarah had to go through the sewer part which there they met two new friends. I think that with this piece I can relate so much to it. It also tells the story of the labyrinth and where Sarah travelled and went by to get to the goblin city and get her little brother back, toby before the goblin king turned him into a goblin.

Escher (born June 17th 1898 and died March 27th 1972) was an Dutch graphic artist who made mathematical inspired wood cuts, lithography and mezzotints. His work ‘Relativity’ is a lithograph print which was printed in December 1953. It creates a visual image of a world where gravity ceased to exist. His drawings plays tricks on the audience eyes, fooling their mind to think that it never ends.

Escher’s work features mathematical objects and operations including impossible objects, etc. Even though he believed he didn’t have the mathematic ability, he still went on making a whole book full of work. In all his work that he did, they all consisted repetition of either the same object or piece. In his earlier work he drew from inspiration from nature, studying insects, landscapes, and plants.

His work creates an art movement of surrealism with a unique 3-dimensional style. Within the imagery of the lithograph is seen as an architectural structure. It has been said that Escher through his research, his did went on looking at the mathematic structure of things such as buildings, rather than the building on the outside. In his work ‘Relativity’, it reflects the different rules of gravity rather than the common form of gravity known in the real world. I find it quite fascinating to look at this piece as to that persons down, is someone’s down. It’s like being a child again and being on that climbing frame with different directions. The people in the piece do not seem to be concerned or affected by the gravity difference.

A book that I looked at which consisted his work, told me that his approach though all his pieces consisted the similar way he would do it as well the repetition.

The difference between Chris’ work and Escher’s work is that the people in Chris’ piece are given an identity as it reflects the film ‘labyrinth’ and Escher’s piece, the people are not given an Identity as they are all the same. They are not given a face as he does not want that to be the attention to his audience. His aim was more to do with repetition of the staircases and looking at the mathematics of the structure. The similarities of theses two pieces is that they both consist staircases and have no sense to gravity. They both also have the same styles. For example, they are both prints, only use black and white and no colour, and the use of the 3-dimensional style/structure. The use of just using black and white gives it a sense of the piece being old and an sophisticated design, it gives it importance in the world. Imagine if was in colour, would the audience it’s trying to attract change? ‘The three-dimensional world may be projected onto a two-dimensional plane to create the illusion of space', this quote made me think of these two works as in a way these two pieces do this I think.

Similarities and differences between these three pieces of work. We can say that with Chris’ and Escher’s pieces are very similar, where as with Robert’s work, its different from these two pieces. What I can say about all three pieces is that they do have that architectural structure feeling to all of them. Even though their formats were quite different in showing of there types of labyrinths, it help me understand what they really wanted to get out of their pieces. With Robert’s he wanted the audience to explore and enjoy his work by making it engaging for the audience. Escher’s and Chris’ were more about allowing the audience to engage though the sense of sight. The type of audience Robert’s piece attracts are very different compare to Escher’s and Chris’ piece. Reason being is that Robert’s work is presented in a park which everyone goes to, children, runners, adults, artists, etc.

With Robert’s work you can see through and it questions all because you can see through it and you see what you want to get to, you want to get there quicker and without the struggle. I think there’s so many pathways in the persons way and they forget about that. With other Labyrinths you can’t see through the walls which, I think it makes it even more easier for you to know which way you are going so for example if you are a student learning science and you want to be a science teacher, to get there you need to go through certain things such as GCSEs and all that. You know that there are different paths in front of you which you have to go forward as there’s no other way. Where as I think that with Robert’s work because you can see through, it makes it more difficult to know what path you are on at the moment as you can see the finish line. In my theory I think that if you see the finish line you rush like a sprinter wanting to win in a race and knowing this I think with what ever path they are on they just want to get through it quickly.

In my conclusion after looking at all theses in my research, I have questioned myself in my making and why I chose tunnels as an approach to my inspiration of the labyrinth? And why I have created them as a solid object (in clay)? Are tunnels labyrinths, and what are the differences between my work and the artwork I looked at? So, what if I took a walk though Colindale and I saw a tunnel and that’s why I chose to do a tunnel, in my sense the tunnel was part of my journey and labyrinth conclude in this. Looking back at Robert’s work he didn’t stick with a shape that connects with a labyrinth on what we know, we normally see shapes such as circles and squares, not triangles. Knowing this I used the same approach as him and looked at a labyrinth being different. For example, the sewers of London are not seen and are well known as a labyrinth. They are like the forgotten parts because they are not pleasant to be included however, they are labyrinths/mazes that are in this world working right under us as we speak. And come to think of it tunnels can be the labyrinth of your journey on an underground train. As an artist I can say where I am still with my work is still experimenting and developing my work in a context as a labyrinth. And in relation to what I have spoken about I can strongly say that I have a strong understanding of the meaning of a labyrinth.

Labyrinth are part of everyone life, you just got to look at things in a different way. I do believe that the city works as a labyrinth or reminds us of the pattern using architectural structure and having different directions which still can lead us to the same destination. I see the labyrinth as a movement of patterns or dance. It has been said that labyrinths have been used for humans entertainment in dance, moving left to right, up or down.

The pieces that I also looked at does present the labyrinth very well I believe. The reason why I think this is because work brings the overwhelming and the feeling of an labyrinth as well as consisting pathways like a labyrinth. So it refers to a labyrinth when you see the pieces too.

References/bibliography

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/28/myth-monsters-and-the-maze-how-writers-fell-in-love-with-the-labyrinth

https://www.citylab.com/design/2014/07/why-every-city-needs-a-labyrinth/373965/

Henning Eichberg,IFO/Research institute of sport, gerlev, Denmark,2004,p1-9

https://www.ancient.eu/Labyrinth/

James Donald, imagining the modern city

http://australianhumanitiesreview.org/2000/06/01/review-imagining-the-modern-city-by-james-donald/

https://www.academia.edu/1330469/THIS_HERE_NOW

https://mymodernmet.com/robert-morris-glass-labyrinth/

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JHRnAPobeo0C&pg=PA35&lpg=PA35&dq=labyrinth+robert+morris+what+other+people+say+about+it&source=bl&ots=ofUYTfgmas&sig=ACfU3U2QJPAGAlbb_0pOpNEDEIsZf6mX4w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjTssvoyszoAhXjTRUIHXotAl0Q6AEwDnoECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=labyrinth robert morris what other people say about it&f=false

https://www.debutart.com/artist/chris-skinner

April Cheetham, a ceiling of identity: anamorphosis as double vision in contemporary art practice, liverpool John Moores University, May 2012, p1-155

Tim Imgold, the maze and the labyrinth, p1-12

Georg Simmel, the metropolis and mental life, p1-9

Massey, A place called home, place and identity, London (1992), p1-17

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