Self-evaluation
Reflection & evaluation
This year was very fruitful for me in terms of creative processes and achievements. Because of the pandemic — which was a tough situation — I was able to focus more on the ‘theoretical’ aspects of my practice, by researching, exploring, identifying, and engaging with my subject matters.
I have learned to be more self-disciplined and rigorous with the research processes, I have also learned to manage and canalise my ideas better.
1st Project:
Exhibition at home — Hypnotizing bathroom
This project was a challenge; we had to find a way to exhibit a piece of art in a domestic and personal environment. I did not want to simply photograph a painting at home, so I decided to transform elements of my flat into art pieces. I chose the bathroom — which was, I believe, a judicious choice — , a very personal space known to enhance creativity.
What was successful about this project is the concept of transforming an object, without modifying its features. I captured footage of me brushing my teeth and spitting onto the layers of cling film in the sink — which did not alter its primary functions — .
2nd project:
Collaborative project — TRANCEMISSION
This project was the most challenging one; all the members of the group were dispersed around Europe and we had to rethink of a whole new way of collaborate digitally (this was my first artistic collaboration and it is also important to note that I am not comfortable with digital art at all. I usually work with ‘traditional’ mediums and techniques).
The result of this collaboration was, for me, a real success. . The essence and main inspiration for this project was the concept of trance. We elaborated ‘responsive’ pieces and, in a second time, established a live collaboration — which almost took the form of a performance — by importing chosen images and artwork to a Google Sheet document and all of us, simultaneously modified, cropped, moved and deformed all the images while listening to the same piece of music. The outcomes were visually interesting and the concept of including and modifying images simultaneously to create a whole new piece was very enriching; it feel like we captured a single version of everyone’s gaze.
3rd project:
Public art — Garlic Mushrooms & Political Graffitis
This project was my favourite one to realise. It took the form of a social experiment within the city of London; it allowed me to observe and comprehend people’s behaviour better, underlining humans’ ignorance — including mine of course — .
These painted socio-political phrases were an excellent way to confront people to my beleifs. After making rather ‘subtle’ works — like the Garlic Mushrooms one — I wanted to throw these ideas out there which, this time, could’nt be ignored by the public.
To conclude, this year was a very particular one, but it was also a very productive one for me; I achieved many art projects and even had an artistic opportunity (Montreux Jazz Festival poster contest) — I had never participated to anything like that before — . This year allowed me to relativise and taught me patience and perseverance. It was socially difficult to pop in a new university, not know anyone, and deal with the pandemic on my own. Now that I look back, I believe I’ve managed to create a decent amount of artworks and researches even without having access to the workshops during most of the time.
I also achieved to identify and name my subject matters within my art practice — it was hard for me to define what my work was about and label the essence of my inspiration — which is a big step forward in my artistic path. This year was, overall, beneficial to my personal and creative mindset.
