Friday 21 March 2014

Senimar Presentation


 Chiharu Shiota
I have decided to present Chiharu Shiota , I came across her work whilst exploring different artists for myself self-directed project.
 I found it difficult to find information on her work and I really wanted to buy a book of hers, but they were too expensive.
 Shiota was born in the Japanese city of Osaka in 1972, but is now living in Berlin since 1997. 

 Trace of Memory
The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh
Thread
 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANCmHXpEbKw

This is a piece called “Traces of Memory”
This piece is what caught my eye when I first came across her work, as I was researching artists which used intricate details within their practice.
 This exhibition was presented in an old fashioned house which is now used as an open gallery space which is owned by former resident Richard Morris.
 I have put a reference link in which presents Morris exploring the history of the house.
 Shiota “Explores the relationship between waking life and memories through hauntingly beautiful installations that incorporate in everyday objects like shoes, pianos and hospital beds”.
 The way Shiota uses and layers thread and materials is intricate, to almost create a distortion; reflecting the traces of time highlighting an essence of decay. 
The layers of material suspending from the walls almost present a cacoon reflecting a sense of protection
 “This also reflects Shiotas enthusiasm for her desire to draw in the air”
 In silence
Piano Concept and Black Thread
Chiharu Shiota 2011

This piece presents a similar installation presenting a burnt piano which is remained from a burnt down piano concert.
 Shiota wanted to reflect the surreal sense of history within the piece.
The piece reflects a painful sense of nostalgia personally to herself as it incorporates a disturbing childhood memory of witnessing her neighbour being burnt to the ground.
 Having been intrigued with Shiotas most well known work, I decided to explore further into her work, in which inspired my practice.
 Its interesting as you can see throughout time you can see how she has developed her skills within her practice. 
 Earth and Blood ( Video Still) 6 Channel Video Installation

These next photographs are a collection from a series of video stills from her “Earth and Blood” Collection.
 Shiota portrays sensitivity using organic media to capture emotions
 The colour pallet is dull and blood like suggestive of anger and sadness.
 Earth and Blood (Video Still) 6 Channel Video Installation
This arises the subject of pregnancy,  which relates to my concept as her work depicts a contemplation a time in her life where she was exploring her relationship with her body, as she had a miscarriage.
 Earth and Blood (Video Still) 6 Channel Video Installation
These video stills are located and presented in a natural habitat creating a calm atmosphere.
 The materials within this piece are natural substances, reflecting the nature of life, emphasizing the honest subject.
Each material has a fluid and flesh like quality suggestive to the inside of our bodies perhaps Shiota was contemplating the functions of the human body.


 “Untitled “ Performance Photographs, Iceland

These performance photographs, I was unable to locate any depth of meaning, but I feel it highlights a sense of sadness and anger, in contemplation of freedom, a release from pain. 

 
 “Untitled “ Performance Photographs, Iceland

The knitting is suggestive as a blanket, surrounding the figure almost protecting it, which is childlike.
 The colour pallet is flesh and bold reflecting a honest subject, perhaps projecting the subjects insides.
The location of scenery creates a calm and therapeutic atmosphere.
 The wind has captured the surface of the knitting creating a notion of gestural movement, almost swaying which creates a sense of fluidity.
 The knitting intertwines with the human body, almost being a part of the subject, camouflaging as it could be a gesture of life, blood moving around the body. 
 My Stomachache (Video work on Performance)
 I was unable to find any information on this piece, but I feel this reflects her conceptual interest previously, portraying a sense of sadness due to her loss within her miscarriage.
This subject reflects shitoas stomach, which is portrayed surrounded by fluid, almost an emptiness which reflects sadness, the feeling of something missing.
 The stomach is presented almost translucent suggestive to a fragile state of mind. 
The fluid may perhaps preserve the stomach, almost protecting it providing it with space, therefore the fluid may be a natural organic substance which is a barrier of protection.
 Dialogue with Absence 
Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art, Kagawa

“Dialogue with Absences”

There is currently a exhibition of this work in Walsall till the 30th March, which would be interesting to see.
 I feel Shiota has portrayed a sense of the life cycle within her installation and captures clinical elements. 
 It captures notions of blood, highlighting circulations within the human body, an essence of veins suggestive to life or a matter of death.
 The blood is pure and repetitive perhaps reflecting heart beats.


 Ana Mendieta
Shiotas work was inspired by Eva Hesse and Ana Mendieta.
I find this interesting as before I came across Shiotas work, I had researched Hesse and Mendieta myself as there work inspires my practice.
 Ana Mendieta is a well known artist, who sadly died from a young age falling from the 34th floor window in New York.
Mendieta is known best for her earth work and body sculptures, which are fresh and pure.
 Earlier this year in the London trip, I had a opportunity to view Ana Mendietas work in the Hayward Gallery, which unfortunately I didn’t realise my interest therefore I didn’t go and see the exhibition as it had a pay fee.


 "Untitled" Siluetas Series,
Ana Mendieta
Mexico
1976

Mendieta uses natural and organic subjects to create her earth body installations, which have the ability to grow. 

 Alma Silueta en Fuego (Silueta de Cenizas)
Ana Mendieta
Film, running time 3 minutes, 30 seconds
1975

This is a quote from Mendieta
 “Perhaps my images can lead the audience to speculation based on their own experiences or what they might feel that I have experienced. Their minds can be triggered so that the images I present retain some of the quality of the actual experience”
 Mendieta wanted to capture an essence of sound, scent and weathering conditions to present the viewer in contemplation, engaging them to reflect upon sensual emotions and experiences of their own, intensifying a sense of nostalgia.
 The fire is symbolic of something new reflecting upon the past.
 "Tree of Life" Siluetas Series,
Ana Mendieta
Mexico
1976
Mendieta is disguised camouflaging with the natural habitat, suggestive to protection, as she blends in within the tree creating a sense of reassurance.
 She often uses trees within her work, as she believes it reflects wisdom and knowledge within many cultures and religions.
 Overall I feel Shiota has been inspired by the use of Mendietas natural installations, as they capture organic and fluid essences. 
 Mendieta also explores a sense of history, depicting traces of memories.



 Eve Hesse
Eva Hesse is a well known sculptor, who explores delicate and fragile materials which has influenced Shiota.
 "Contingent" 1968-69
Fiberglass, latex on cheese cloth

I find the transcluency within this piece influencial myself, it creates a spiritual atmosphere through its subtle presence.
The suspended material is flesh like creating an organic element  the piece captures a sense of movement, as it inhabits in the natural gestural movement of the environment.

Latex itself grows and decays itself, therefore it highlights a element of the life cycle, reflecting upon memories.
 "Untitled" 1970
Latex over rope, string and wire

This piece was created during Hesse Illness, it almost reflects her persona within a spiritual element.

This piece has been created and exhibited in many different locations, therefore everytime the subject is moved it will change. Significant of the life cycle, as it will adapt to changes experiencing, highlighting a journey leaving traces of memories.

Therefore I feel these artists have all similar interests, through intricacy and context, and overall has influenced Shiota. 

 Paige Uttley-Plunkett
“Untitled” 2014
Paige Uttley-Plunkett
“Untitled” 2014

Individually each artist has impact upon my practice inspiring me to explore intricacy and the natural environment to create a sense of fluidity. 

 Bibliography



11/03/2014 – Ana Mendieta published Broche 2013, Hayward Gallery Exhibition “Traces”
11/03/2013 – Eva Hesse, By Lucy Lippard, Da Capo Press Inc; New edition edition (1 Aug 1992)
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