COP NOTES - Rationale Proposal, Visual Journal update.

Rationale

In response to the research I have done, this visual journal mainly focuses on the idea of aesthetics and the digital culture. I have mostly been working with collages and personal photographs. Since I am exploring the concept of post-internet aesthetics, I would further develop this approach through using digital media, such as Photoshop. Through collages and the use of digital media, it is effective in terms of creating clear lines, geometric shapes, static elements and glitches. The main intention is to explore society's current interest in the digital culture and aesthetics of minimalism, simplistic artworks. I also have been looking at whether it is possible to create artworks that are purely for the aesthetics with no comment or content. Currently, practitioners such as Weston James Palmer and Barbara Kruger have been my source of inspiration. 

Though this particular area interests me as I feel that the internet and pop-culture are significantly influencing the society. This led me to think about how it could affect artists and their creative practice. With a more definitive intention, I would now focus on developing and looking at other practitioners that may have worked with the idea of post-internet and the digital world. 

Current approach (collages, glitches,
internet stuff)

Look into: 

Holly Herndon

Fatima Al Qadiri

COP NOTES (Note to self) - Japanese Aesthetics? It's an actual thing...!?

• I was reading through the various -isms, and it mentioned the theory and philosophy of Japanese aesthetics being an influence towards modernism movement. I wasn't sure if it would be relevant to my research, though I decided to look into it since it seemed interesting. 

How my brain processed all this: 

Japanese aesthetics = aesthetic ideas + Buddhism (?) 
(it's not as strange as it seems. A very philosophical -ism.)

The principles: 

mono no aware (the pathos of things)

wabi (subdued, aloof beauty?)

sabi (rustic patina)

yugen (mysterious profundity)

iki (refined style)

kire (cutting.)

MONO NO AWARE

• to be aware of things (?)
• valued for its short-lived nature (e.g. cherry blossoms) - since they usually begin to fall within a week of their first appearing
• said to evoke the wistful feeling of mono no aware in the viewer

WABI

• simple, understated (first praised in poetry, art of tea and the context of Zen - Kenko, poet)
• minor imperfections are often valued more highly in comparison to those that are supercifially perfect
• a simple structure, but a special and evocative one
• emphasises on light and shadow

SABI

• something that has aged well, grown rusty or has acquired a change through time that makes it beautiful 
• SABIshi - lonely, solitary
• the idea of older things connects us with the past in a way that shiny products of modern technology simply cannot
• closer connection to the natural environment - older things tend to be made by natural materials

YUGEN

• East-Asian culture favors allusiveness over explicitness and completeness
• experienced through cultivated imagination

IKI

• examine the objective expressions of the phenomenon, which are either natural or artistic
• subtleness, nuance - e.g human body's slight relaxation, a voice of medium pitch
• parallel lines, vertical stripes are expressive of iki
• grays, browns and blues

KIRE

• Literally means cutting
• for an art that begins by initiating their death (?)
• buddhists viewpoint of the impermanence of things, plants, which lack locomotion and by sinking roots into the earth

• What I thought was interesting is that the basis of Japanese Aesthetics revolves around the idea of nature, impermanency and constant change. I feel that in a way, it is related to the current modern culture/society, where everything is always changing, moving forward. (Mind blown!! Then again, this is a philosophical idea on how life could work)

• I feel that this leans more towards the Eastern-Asian culture and philosophy. Though I could see the connection and basic idea taken from it: the idea of experimentation, change, welcoming simplicity and the artists' personal expression. In a way it is something that I could see in my own practice as well.

Sources/Link (further reading):

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/japanese-aesthetics/#Bib
https://www.japaneseaesthetics.com

COP NOTES (Note to self) - Gathering my thoughts: Visual Journal development

• I explored mainly on different media, such as watercolours, markers and simple line work. Though somehow they don't effectively communicate my intent (in which is still muddled at this point). I need to focus more on what I want to communicate through this visual journal.

• I feel that I need to stop exploring around and focus on a specific aspect. I quite collaging as it is effective in terms of combining and synthesising various elements and ideas.