A Level Project: “CITY”
In addressing any of the starting points outlined below the same things will be looked for by those assessing your work:
- A substantial body of visually interesting primary source material, typically this should include your own photographs taken specifically for this unit and a series of high quality observational drawings.
- A broad range of research sources, thoughtfully presented alongside your own analysis of specific images. Research should be complemented by visual responses to the Artists and Designers you have selected. It is important that your sources are relevant to your own work and the links between the two should be explained.
- Meaningful visual development of your ideas, this should explore elements such as materials/technique, composition, colour, tone and scale. Developmental studies should be annotated explaining decisions taken and progress made.
- A well realised final outcome produced early in the Spring Term.
Starting Points:
These starting points are designed to give your project an area of focus, you might concentrate on investigating one exclusively or combine elements from 2 or 3 of the suggestions.
1. City in Motion:
Modern living is a fast paced affair. Cities bring people together in close proximity, busy retail districts of London can become overwhelming tides of humanity, particularly in the run up to Christmas. This spectacle has the potential to lead to powerful visual work.
Capturing the pace and drama of human or mechanical activity fascinated the Italian Futurists in the early 20th century, what would they have made of the motion, volume, light and colour of a modern city? Photographs of crowded pavements, traffic, neon signs and shop fronts will provide rich source material for a body of work that investigates motion.
References: Bill Jacklin, Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla, Michael Andrews.
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| Bill Jacklin |
2. Multi Cultural Hub:
The United Kingdom is a melting pot of cultures. Our colonial past has contributed to fostering connections with Africa, Asia, America and Australia, the expansion of the European Union has also (controversially) opened the doors to people from a range of Eastern European nations. The Brexit vote might be seen as reaction against diversity, but one of the strengths of our society remains the freedom that allows different cultures to co-exist and retain their identities.
This diversity is particularly apparent in our major cities. Consider the imagery associated with the communities that come together in a city such as London: traditional British icons and landmarks (red phone boxes, London buses, black taxi cabs, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the Millennium Eye) are seen alongside aspects of Japanese, African, Chinese, American, Italian and Indian cultures. This is particularly apparent in areas such as Chinatown, Brick Lane or Brixton.
Use your own photographs as the starting point for exploring how a range of cultures interact in the urban environment.
References: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Chris Ofili, Tim Okamura.
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| Tim Okamura |
3. Centre of Rebellion:
Cities act as magnets for the young and new trends are usually first seen on the streets of our major urban centres. Historically successive generations have sought to shock their elders and establish their own identity and freedom by rebelling against the beliefs and breaking the taboos held by the older generation.
The hippy movement, mods and rockers, punk, rave and skate culture are all examples of this. Paradoxically people often seem to feel they are establishing a unique personal identity when in reality they are joining a mass youth movement and simply falling into line with a different set of expectations than those established by their parents.
Examine the imagery that is associated with youthful rebellion, both historically and in contemporary society. Take your own photographs that explore dress, attitudes and behaviour that might be considered rebellious as part of this investigative process. How people within social groups interact might be an interesting theme to explore. Camden might be an especially good area to visit to take source photographs.
References: David Hancock, Nan Goldin, Tim Marrs.
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| David Hancock |
4. Urban Decay:
Cities are constantly regenerating themselves, old buildings are demolished to make way for the bright new face of the city. But regeneration would not exist without decay, look around any urban environment and you will find evidence of this: decomposing buildings, areas of wasteland, vandalism, garbage. These neglected corners of cities have their own powerful and melancholic atmosphere, capturing this will lead to strong visual work.
Investigate surface textures: corrugated iron, rust, rotten brickwork, torn posters, graffiti. A range of photographs will be a valuable resource in developing your ideas.
References: David Hepher, Antonio Tapies, Mimmo Rotella, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly.
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| David Hepher |
5. Modern Architecture:
London is full of inventive modern Architecture, this is particularly apparent in the main financial districts where iconic structures such as Richard Rogers’ Lloyds Building and Norman Foster’s “Gherkin” can be found.
Modern Architecture is characterised by the materials that it is constructed from: concrete, steel and glass create sleek and sculptural forms. Strong primary photographic material (look for unusual angles and zoom in on details) will help you to develop strong abstract or figurative outcomes in 2 or 3 dimensions.
References: Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Carla Klein, Brendan Neiland, Richard Galpin, Ben Johnson.
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| Richard Galpin |
6. Alone in the Crowd:
Despite their huge populations cities can be the loneliest places. In order to function in the hectic atmosphere people frequently seal themselves off in their own bubble. By doing this we become impervious to the problems and suffering of some of the people we pass in the street: the homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, alcoholics and the mentally ill. Each person we pass has stories to tell, if only we stopped to listen.
Images of the people who live on the streets and of the environment they exist in could lead to powerful work. Sensitive use of colour and composition will help you express the underlying human tragedies that are a feature of urban life.
References: Edward Hopper, Peter Howson, Edgar Degas.
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| Peter Howson |
7. Money Talks:
For generations people have headed to the city to make their fortune. The fragile nature of these dreams has been illustrated by the financial ups and downs of the last few years. Consider the positive and negative aspects of life in London’s financial district and use photographs, drawing and collage to develop your ideas.
Imagery associated with this theme might include suits and bowler hats, the Financial Times, Stock Exchange Listings, briefcases, umbrellas, lunch meetings, after work drinks, secretaries and office culture. You might also address issues such as excess, infidelity and stress. Incorporating current media coverage of the financial implications of Brexit could give your work a contemporary twist. Photography in London’s financial districts (around the bank of England and Canary Wharf) will be particularly valuable in developing your response to this starting point.
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| Rene Magritte |
References: Rene Magritte, Edward Hopper, Bill Jacklin.
8. “Get the London Look”
Rimmel’s advertising slogan is evidence of London’s status as one of the most significant centres of Fashion on the planet. Gather imagery that explores London’s style …this could be from window displays in major shops or backstreet boutiques, or of course based on the Fashions you see on the streets around you. Explore the glamour and glitz of the Fashion World: the photographers, the catwalk shows, the models and designers. You could use your work to question some of the ideals of the Fashion Industry such as body shape and age.
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| Alex Katz |
References: British Fashion Designers such as Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith. Fashion Photographers such as Mario Testino and Corrine Day.
9. City on Paper:
How do you make sense of the huge urban sprawl that is our capital city? Cartographers attempt to do this in many forms, from the iconic tube map to the street plans found in an A-Z. London maps hold a multitude of information, but in addition to this they are visually fascinating in their own right.
Develop a graphic piece of work that explores maps/mapping in some way, perhaps integrating images of the streets and sites featured. Photography, collage and thoughtful use of text will help you to develop your imagery.
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| Jasper Johns |
References: Piet Mondrian, Simon Patterson, Jasper Johns.
10. Cityscape:
Cities form a unique type of landscape and observational work based on the city has inspired a wide range of Artists across the generations. Look at how a range of Artists have tackled the built environment through their work to inform your own response to this theme.
You may choose to work in a controlled or expressive fashion as you develop your source imagery towards a final piece. The best work based on cities often succeeds in capturing the character and feel of a place along with a depiction of its physical appearance.
Photos that capture elements such as the London skyline may prove a valuable starting point.
References: John Virtue, Richard Estes, Frank Auerbach, Oscar Kokoschka, Tom Butler, Nathan Ford.
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| Tom Butler - View from the Tate |
