Developing purpose & improving technique in Geneva
So, one of the many things I realised during the One-on-One with Jonathan was that I had really wanted to do photography for my “take a risk” week, but that I said I “couldn’t” without an analogue film camera, and Jonathan questioned me on that, and also on why I wanted to do something “abstract” - both questions are perfectly legitimate and made me question myself, to be honest. Why did I say that?
Was I doubting in myself, my medium, my mastery of creative techniques, or simply, of myself and my identity? I.e. Was I trying to do something new in order to change direction, as usual? Or was I trying to try something new in order to prove to myself that what I am currently doing (drawing, illustrating, painting) is more my thing?
Was I unconsciously looking to disassociate with my current practice, through the medium of another practice, in order to reconnect with my art, in a new way with new ideas and perspectives?
Was I simply going out on a whim, because Martina and I had spoken about photography, film, dark rooms, etc?
Or, was I just being curious little Daniella as usual, simply wanting to try new things?
I think it is all 4, mixed together in a sexy, spicy, Mezcal cocktail.
So.
Be that as it may, we are now in Geneva for a whole week, and next week will be a whole week away from home as well.
How should I continue to develop my practice and hone down the details for my Study Statement?
Firstly, making the time.
Time is there, I am slightly lacking in it by travelling and working all the time, but it is there.
So between work and dinner, I went to visit the Centre de la Photographie Genève for the first time:
The Centre de la Photographie Genève nestles comfortably between rooms full to the brim with books and quiet study areas, in the heart of the Geneva university library.
Reflect: What did I learn about photography during my visit? Did it answer any of the questions I was asking myself?
Plan: Taking photos of photos is a wonderful way to realise that I do really enjoy capturing the moment, and creating geometric shapes and perspectives out of certain things that are not THAT geometric or dramatic in perspective when you are just standing in front of them… the stairs look like stairs when you are walking on them, but when you look down from above, they are perfect imitations of Escher drawings… so could photography be a way for me to “study” perspectives and include these into pieces later, when I chose to include figures, or messages? Like Ugo Gattoni’s hyperrealistic yet surrealistic drawings?
Act: Acting on photography without an analogue film camera is just as good as having the camera itself, I do not have to wait before the film is developped (so I can immediately integrate everything on this blog!) but I can also edit, crop, and use the images instantaneously, without realising later down the line that it was blurred, framed wrong, or simply off-target. I love the fact that I can modify the focal point of a digital image quickly, where analogue will take some getting used to. What’s next? I still plan to test analogue photography - perhaps during the Christmas holidays in London, this can be part of my 60 week plan with film, photography, performance and maybe other mediums too - let’s see!
Observe: I am enjoying the new structure that these 4 points give to my thoughts, and I then checked out another art space the day after, so I can create another ascending loop of thought!
After the Centre de la Photographie Genève, I went to visit Musée Rath the day after, just after work and just before dinner. Bearing in mind that I have genuinely seen everything in Geneva at least once if not twice, or sometimes even thrice (Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Genève), it was refreshing to find two new places - just needed to look harder!
Reflect: OK so I clearly lovelovelove the surrealist / hyperrealistic pieces the most - hardly took any photos of the abstract pieces, but the curation was great and had a lovely mix of everything, while maintaining a clear storyline around African artists.
Plan: I need to practice my painting technique, otherwise I am going to feel “stuck” with illustration forever. I would love to create huge, detailed surrealistic / hyperrealistic paintings like this, and like Kehinde Wiley - obviously. That would be a dream come true.
Act: I must get on this when I am back in Paris. Create the time, make the move, start the piece. Even if it is just a small canvas, like the watermelon piece this summer, just a few hours’ work gets me one new test, and then not only have I moved forward with my art, I also feel much, much better psychologically! Such a boost.
Observe: Technique takes time, practice makes perfect, time is what I need to make in the next few weeks, however busy my travel and work schedule is, before the end of the term. Like with the analogue camera, I am not lacking tools or time, I just need to get my mind in gear and reorganise + reprioritise. Who needs to sleep anyway???
Also - side note - I have actually used my blog more than my social media this week…
Perhaps I am getting closer and closer to making this public? Who knows!
