Research Assignment, cont

Taking Sasek's ways of working I have tried to apply his methods and create my own six page book, each formatted in a similar shape and style having a specific feature of Liverpool committed to each page. I have chosen different elements that I feel symbolise the area in which I am living in, such as the cathedrals, building type, rooftops and well-known features.
For a simplistic but fitting style I chose to print the pages using hand-generated stamps and then adding detail gradually to achieve the affect I wished. Also researching and experimenting with repetition and design of the potential wallpapers, it helped me to create the pages I wanted as final pieces.
I found using natural and simple colour worked well, but only if the background base was appropriate to the rest of the imagery. Whereas on some pieces I had to redo due to usage of one continual colour or the layout was not effective. I chose to bind the book myself along the seam rather than stab and pin bind it; this was due to the thickness of the book and the shaping (which is long and rectangular), opening from the smallest width which could potentially make it quite weak.

Research Assignment, cont.

Alternatively in these modern times, the use of digital technology means that a new range of complex, detailed imagery is possible such as photography 3D images and geometric designs. I have viewed how wallpapers constantly create changing images, just like the work of Sasek and how he looks at the places around him.

Above is an image taken from Sasek's "This is Edinburgh" book, one of many in his collection. Taking this illustration and many others that he has created i have learnt how Sasek roughly sketches the landmarks he is looking at adding the various details he wishes to include in the final works. Sketches spread with notes on bus colours, typography, costumes and people, all taken in the several languages that he understands. After this rough sketch of the place he has visited is complete, Sasek then retreats to his place of work and begins to redraw the image to a satisfied finish.

Research Assignment

Saseks’ approach to working derives from his travels, the wide world journeys. The cities and countries he visited follow with a series of symbolic, illustrative, collection of books. Each place being somewhere he has not yet visited and he has then concentrated on the monuments, landmarks, and places of interest to him.

I have used Saseks’ approach of discovering and the way in which he makes his visual images, choosing Liverpool as an initial idea to begin looking at the way in which I may work. Using this city to explore ideas, buildings and symbolic places to others and myself.

With my object, “wallpaper”, I have tried to manipulate the way in which Sasek works in order to produce a final object or piece. Which relates to the aesthetics of wallpaper but is produced using a similar method of working to that of my selected artist.

I began by taking my object, researching its uses and styles, the traditional block prints, textures and scales. The 70s geometric, 80s paisleys and the retro treatments tried and tested among many wallpapers, original Toile de Jouy features images from the 18th century France which are usually blue or red printed on a white or natural background. All these showing me how the object was used in its early times and how it has adapted.

David Shrigley Essay