Dry Point
"So let us then try to climb the mountain, not by stepping on what is below us, but to pull us up at what is above us, for my part at the stars; amen." - M.C. Escher
"Void"
12.7x17.78 cm
Dry Point
November 2016
12.7x17.78 cm
Dry Point
November 2016
My piece used "Relativity"by M.C. Escher as well as "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dali as inspiration. While developing skills with using carving tools, I wanted to demonstrate the idea of journey in this piece. I used Escher's concept of an endless staircase and Dali's clocks to create a dreamlike scene. I aimed to make the viewer see how one adventure feels and brought it back to real life (with the use of a clock).
Historical Inspiration
"M.C. Escher." – Relativity. The M.C. Escher Company B.V., 2016. Web. 07 Oct. 2016.
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DianaBudds. "Spy The Unsung Psychedelic Pop-Art Landscapes Of Roy Lichtenstein." Co.Design. Fast Company, 03 Sept. 2015. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.
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"Museum of Modern Art | MoMA." The Museum of Modern Art. MoMa, 2016. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.
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I considered using pop art to create my dry point piece. I decided against this since I would just be using the style, and that doesn't apply well. Pop artists aimed to show emotion through simple but literal cartoons. This doesn't work well with dry point, as it's supposed to be emphasizing detail.
Using M.C. Escher was a better fit for the dry point project. I decided to use one of his most well-known pieces titled "Relativity" as my inspiration piece. M.C. Escher was a graphic artist who is famous for his seemingly impossible works. They're popular amungst lots of people, as they create the illusion of an infinite staircase, and a sense of chaos. I chose to follow this as an inspiration to best fit my theme, journey. Graphic artists used dry point as a method to create their works. They used lines and shapes rather than shading to create a sense of depth. This directly applies to what is required of this piece. M.C. Escher was especially good at using cross-hatching to create the sense of depth.
His pieces were made to confuse and challenge the viewer's eye. I think that this aspect of his work allows for confusion and the sense of being lost. This helps me connect to the theme of journey because while one is adventuring, they face many obstacles. Sometimes in life, it seems as though there's no end to the "staircase".
I also incorporated surrealism in my piece. I used the idea of melting clocks from Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory" painting. Dali was a surrealist painter who aimed to recreate dreamlike scenarios through paintings. In Dali's piece he used deformed clocks to show how nobody really cares how the clock looks, as long as they can tell what time it is. I took this idea and used it to deform my clock, as well as 2 of the numbers on it. There's a lot of confusion created in my piece, just like how there is in M.C. Escher's work. These concepts make the viewer question where the subject is going, since he appears to be at the end of the rope.
Using M.C. Escher was a better fit for the dry point project. I decided to use one of his most well-known pieces titled "Relativity" as my inspiration piece. M.C. Escher was a graphic artist who is famous for his seemingly impossible works. They're popular amungst lots of people, as they create the illusion of an infinite staircase, and a sense of chaos. I chose to follow this as an inspiration to best fit my theme, journey. Graphic artists used dry point as a method to create their works. They used lines and shapes rather than shading to create a sense of depth. This directly applies to what is required of this piece. M.C. Escher was especially good at using cross-hatching to create the sense of depth.
His pieces were made to confuse and challenge the viewer's eye. I think that this aspect of his work allows for confusion and the sense of being lost. This helps me connect to the theme of journey because while one is adventuring, they face many obstacles. Sometimes in life, it seems as though there's no end to the "staircase".
I also incorporated surrealism in my piece. I used the idea of melting clocks from Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory" painting. Dali was a surrealist painter who aimed to recreate dreamlike scenarios through paintings. In Dali's piece he used deformed clocks to show how nobody really cares how the clock looks, as long as they can tell what time it is. I took this idea and used it to deform my clock, as well as 2 of the numbers on it. There's a lot of confusion created in my piece, just like how there is in M.C. Escher's work. These concepts make the viewer question where the subject is going, since he appears to be at the end of the rope.
Collecting Images & Tools
Sketches
While sketching I originally began with just using the train tracks in the photo. I decided that I should use something that would look much more visually appealing. I also experimented with what I thought should be put in the sky. I considered just using the world so the scene would look like it was taking place in space. I then decided the best idea would be to have him walking a tightrope with the clock in the sky.
Experimentation
I started off my experimentation by deciding on which photo I should use to create the piece. After deciding on the photo I taped it to the back of my plate and began to carve the figure on the tracks. I removed the photo from the back and was still trying to figure out what I could do to make this piece more interesting, as well as more developed. I decided to use M.C. Escher as my inspiration to begin with. i then created a series of lines that went back and forth in a continuous line across the plate. I made the figure walk into a black void. I then remembered seeing Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory" painting. I used the idea of the melting clock and incorporated it in my own piece. I traced the clock and then continued to stipple to shade everything in. I stippled too hard during the experimentation process, which lead to the curving of the plate (I kept this in mind while I recreated a new plate). I then proceeded to experiment with the printing process. I found it very difficult to get the print to align properly onto the paper before rolling it through the printing press. A few of the prints turned out decently, which I used those to practice with water colors. I decided to use the colors found in Dali's painting to make it have a stronger inspiration with this piece. After practicing the process, I redid my plate.
Process
To create my final piece I outlined the figure, just like how I did in the experimentation, I removed the background image and free-handed the rope that the figure was walking on. After the outlining was complete, I began to stipple in the foreground. Then I moved onto creating the sky. I created the clock on my own while keeping in mind Dali's clocks. After everything was filled in and complete, I began the actual printing process. I tore up sheets of newsprint, set watercolor paper into water, and put ink on the plate. I used a pallet knife to spread the ink across the plate evenly. I removed the paper from the bucket of water after about 7 minutes, and began to clean the plate. I wiped the plate until everything that should be clear, was clear. I made sure to clean the plate as evenly as possible to maintain an even color contrast and balance. I put the damp paper onto a cloth and made sure it was dry enough before using it. I place this on a folded newsprint and then placed the plate on top (face down). I transitioned this to the printing press where I got my final print. I also decided to use water colors to make the print strongly pop.
Reflection & Evaluation
I'm pleased with the overall outcome of my final print. It has every element that I wanted it to contain, and I think there's another aspect about it that makes it really stand out. I'm happy I didn't use the color scheme that I used in the experimentation, but rather the one in the process. I feel like using these colors gives the piece a more truly surrealist style print. Using the blue sky rather than the orange made me enjoy looking at the piece more. It contrasts well with the bright red and orange/brown hue.
The piece wouldn't have had to be completely redone if I hadn't stippled the first piece so hard. I also got impatient with trying to make the prints off of the curved plate. If I had tried harder I would have probably gotten a better outcome. I felt it was best to just make the decision to redo it so that I could create the best print that I possibly could.
It definitely has a similarity to the inspiration pieces, but since they are combined and not as famous as something like Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", not everyone will see it. Once they are informed of the inspirations used then it will be more obvious and coherent. As for the message of this piece, I believe that is fairly easy to understand. There's a figure traveling and walking this tight line, with a clock in front of him. This demonstrates that he's struggling but the clock still remains. Life isn't waiting for him to finish this maze and make it somewhere greater. He's just directly walking into a black pit but he continues to go. He's ready for the next phase of his life and excited to see where this will go( although it's literally a void). My piece uses a surreal image making it feel like a dream. I enjoy this concept and the sense of illusion that it creates.
The piece wouldn't have had to be completely redone if I hadn't stippled the first piece so hard. I also got impatient with trying to make the prints off of the curved plate. If I had tried harder I would have probably gotten a better outcome. I felt it was best to just make the decision to redo it so that I could create the best print that I possibly could.
It definitely has a similarity to the inspiration pieces, but since they are combined and not as famous as something like Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", not everyone will see it. Once they are informed of the inspirations used then it will be more obvious and coherent. As for the message of this piece, I believe that is fairly easy to understand. There's a figure traveling and walking this tight line, with a clock in front of him. This demonstrates that he's struggling but the clock still remains. Life isn't waiting for him to finish this maze and make it somewhere greater. He's just directly walking into a black pit but he continues to go. He's ready for the next phase of his life and excited to see where this will go( although it's literally a void). My piece uses a surreal image making it feel like a dream. I enjoy this concept and the sense of illusion that it creates.
ACT Connection
1. Between my inspiration and the effect upon my artwork, there is clearly a connection. The foreground mocks M.C. Escher's staircase with it's seemingly never-ending appearance. It also takes Dali's clock and gives the surrealist style feeling to it.
2. Dali approached the topic of journey through how the subconscious saw it. M.C. Escher approached it by creating an optical illusion that never truly ended.
3. From my research I concluded that there's many different ways and perspectives to view life. These perspectives can greatly effect the artist and how they choose to interpret the world around them
4. The theme around my inspirational research was journey. I wanted to represent the idea that journey never truly ends, while the clock continues to tick on.
5. While researching I concluded that sometimes in order to create a piece that will really make the viewer think, it has to be idiosyncratic.
2. Dali approached the topic of journey through how the subconscious saw it. M.C. Escher approached it by creating an optical illusion that never truly ended.
3. From my research I concluded that there's many different ways and perspectives to view life. These perspectives can greatly effect the artist and how they choose to interpret the world around them
4. The theme around my inspirational research was journey. I wanted to represent the idea that journey never truly ends, while the clock continues to tick on.
5. While researching I concluded that sometimes in order to create a piece that will really make the viewer think, it has to be idiosyncratic.
"Graphic Art Drawing." Graphic Art: Drawing, Illustration, Animation. Visual-arts-cork.com, n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2016.