When something unique becomes a copy or several copies how can it still have the same value or aura?
15 separate, individual images or signs put together to become a collective image. Each image was created by the individuals on the induction, we were to create a sign, a symbol of our choice. The idea of signs becoming increasingly important in the world has created its own language as the world has become smaller and the need to communicate messages, give directions, state warnings, in selling, to instruct, to encourage, to shepherd...
This was all to take us through the process of screen printing and see a live job go from creation to completion. Creating the original, making the film on a prepared screen, exposing the screen, preparing it for print, mixing the ink and actually making a set of prints.
We ended up with x15 copies of the original collection of signs. The task was now to take our individual copy and make our version unique again. I deliberated for a long time over this, I considered a 3D version, or making a collage, I also considered shooting it with an airgun to see what it did to the paper. In the end (as it was dark and I thought a little dangerous to shoot things) I decided to drill holes in it. This was really a reaction that replicated the shooting but was more controllable and also reflected my development work in 3D with the acrylic and metal.
It felt wrong to destroy (is it destroying) the only copy I had, as it was in my possession it was precious, I only had one chance to do whatever I was going to do. Considering it was one a few copies of something that we had put together as something to see a process it was strange to become attached to it. As it was dark when I was drilling through it I wondered how it would look up against a light, this became more interesting.
I definitely want to look to do more screen printing and indeed other methods of print as we progress through the units. No idea what but that's the point...
In the meantime I need to research a few artists to see what has been created, how, when and what I think of them. I intend to look at some Andy Warhol (obviously), more Edward Paolozzi, Patrick Caulfield, Berenice Sydney, Richard Hamilton and Jasper Johns to start with...
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