I made an abstraction of life or society by hanging a collection of polymer clay beads on threads and interacting with them. How does this object abstract the society? The way the threads and the beads intertwine with each other reflects on out connection with the others. Sometimes one aspect/person tie us together, creating one like-minded community. Or something/someone bound us together, either in a good way or bad way, but it's hard for us to get away. Sometimes we all move in the same direction together, going for the same thing, on our own ways, not having any direct connection with the others. These threads can get messy, knotted into each other. And sometimes that's just how our life is, it can get messy, one thing connected to the other, we're trying to break free, but it requires patience, perseverance, and constant effort to untangle the problem.
I am hoping to see how different or similar the others’ experiences and perspective are compared to mine. I am looking forward to seeing how many interpretations can be produced form my object. Perhaps I should have put the object in the studio for everyone to interact with it.
Method
I created the beads using polymer clay, embedded a thread inside it and baked them to solidify the clay. The beads are in different colours and patterns to show complexity and richness of our society, made up of different community and individuals. I created a base for the threads to be hanged by cutting 2 identical thick material. I planned out the hanging points and then created punctures using a pencil compass. Then I hanged the threads and beads and secured them using tapes and glued the base with the other identical cut out, pressing and securing the end of the threads in place.
Context
I was inspired when I read this week’s reading by Turner (2003), specifically on how abstract (animation) is to be experienced, to express, and not to depict. I was attracted into this beautiful aspect of abstract animation as I am often personally intrigued with ambiguity, different experience and perception on similar event. I love how something can be experienced and perceived differently by people, and by sharing these variety of minds, we can see how complex and interesting the work may relate to someone. Turner (2003) also mentioned similar idea towards abstract work, which “…can be viewed numerous times as each viewing will reveal a different aspect of the experience.” This idea is also similarly discussed by Fletcher (2015) “The value of abstract animation for this animator is that it attempts to set up a context of viewing where the audience can become author of their own interpretation, and awareness of the immediate and transient experience.” In my opinion, this ability of abstract works to be interpreted openly is a much-needed reminder towards us, living in this world, as everything is open to interpretation, everything can be perceived differently depending on our own mindset and will to look at something in a certain way. Abstract works should and definitely can act as a break from the general hecticness of our life, which tends to be focus oriented. Perhaps it can encourage us to pause for a little bit and reflect on things in a different perspective.
Reflection
I truly enjoy doing this week’s response as I got a little crafty and have fun with the philosophical interpretations about the object. This exercise allowed me to think in a different perspective, looking for a way to make something that can be experienced or interacted with and may serve higher meanings.
Reference
Fletcher P (2015) An Artist’s Appreciation of The Potential of Animation and Abstraction, RENDER, (1), 54–58. http://animaticmag.com/otherMIAF.html.
Turner P (2003) Content and Meaning in Abstract Animation, VCU Scholars Compass. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=kine_pubs.
By Eugenia Cynthiaputri
Email Eugenia Cynthiaputri
Published On: 21/10/2022