‘Independently Dependant’

The Independent Practice portfolio of Lancelot de Vries Jr

In the beginning there were drawings, there was photography, there was light, there was collage, there was manipulation. When all of the above were combined, there was this...

Reflecting upon work past, methods from the summer had been selected and identified. A collage of work produced over this period was created. Lights and twisted paper were added, then photographed. This started something, a new way of navigating the field...

A wide range a subject matter was influencing production. Sources which include, banality, inner thoughts, outer conversations, interpretations, experiences, portraiture and so on.

A film of a time and place, moving through said time and place was made. In attempt to enjoy life and make sense of life and happenings, both as they happened and prior.

The film in turn informed the next, longer period of time.

Five Obstructions: a Dogme 95 Film

Choosing not to continue filming and to begin implementing drawings, collage and photography; still revolving around previous stated subjects and issues, was the next step.

Collecting, collating from the mind and transferring to paper, thoughts began to come and to form. Conversations and experiences were had, translated and interpreted. Their meaning and significance or place in the world was still unknown, but they were there, in existence. Transforming into something.

New points of interests were introduced, such as voyeurism. However, themes also became recurring, for example portraiture and creating beings or characters based on models from film and popular culture as well as other things spawning from the mind.

Materials have been mixed, searching for a raw and organic essence. Also to convey naivety and simplistic approaches to working methods. Striving for something to hit, to make sense, searching for some kind of buzz from the work.

Noting down thoughts, trying to stay positive through some kind of artistic depression. Really pouring in heart also manifested. But everyday there was a struggle with uncertainty and a fear of making mistakes, of failing oneself and others. A deepening raw worry.

This worry became a hindrance which effected the amount of work being produce and a battle to get through and past this worry began.

Music had always been both a direct and indirect influence to the work so although there is ambiguity within what seems like mindless drawings and scraps, there is also meaning through using lyrics such as ‘Sending out an S.O.S’. So the S.O.S. being direct from The Police’s ‘Message in a Bottle’. Which in turn, relates directly to the struggle and battle against worrying.

A simple chance to toy with popular culture and ridiculous behaviour.

At the very beginning there were photographs, these photos were taken whilst exploring and observing in two places, Malta and Atlanta, GA. Landscapes, architecture and people were main subjects but also having awareness and trying to embrace an experience in a certain place at a certain time.

Having been born in Atlanta, GA and living there until the age of nine, it is a place that has always had a sense of home and one where family still exists. Spending life after that in Southern England, growing up, becoming more informed and educated about issues such as religion and race/ racism, has deeply influenced visits back to Atlanta and my own interpretation of American culture and what is means to be an American.

Print and printed matter has always been an interest, the physical nature of dealing with print and analogue processes coincides with the idea of raw, visceral outcomes. Throughout all other experimentation, two processes of working are clear, drawing and photography. With an appreciation for print media the two processes were combined.

Continuing to explore and try out new things, images were placed with thought, but some at random, on A4 documents, printed individually, then put back through a printer for the next image to be printed over the first.

An idea and process which led to the above and following outcomes. Striving for juxtaposition and dialogue. Whilst staying aware of past subjects of banality, and most other afore mentioned interests, ambiguity and so on, these experiments and tests were carried out.

Extra Curricular Activities

Elle Kaye EP

Album Artwork for Elle Kaye:Elle Kaye are a band based in Brighton, UK. I was commissioned to produce artwork for their EP release in January entitled ‘Enough Love’. These are images sent to the band as a proposal for the front cover, the back cover and track listing are still in progress. After some input from the band, throwing ideas around etc, I produced these pieces with the help of my girlfriend, Jen Black.

Feedback from the band has been brilliant. They are very pleased with the outcomes and the images were projected behind the band at their recent debut London show in Kilburn.

I thoroughly enjoyed this project and aim to finish the EP work for Elle Kaye and hopefully work with more bands in the near future. By trying to capture the emotion in the music and compliment the lyrical content, the body represents a loss love.

Website

Personal Website Development:Using a ‘Cargo’ site as a platform to alter my own CSS and HTML, with the help of Justin Devon Moore, I have been developing the layout and design of my own website. Having this space is a wonderful tool to showcase my work to the public, other designers and artists, as well as potential employers.

The idea is to have a clean cut, simple to navigate, space for my work to sit in, so the work can initially speak for itself and explanations are easy to include where necessary.

To view my website in its current state please visit:http://cargocollective.com/lancedevries

Handmade & BoundExploring an interest in portraits and what they are or could be, I began looking at Haida Masks amongst other tribal masks from not only the Northwest Coast of America, but also the world. So I drew some, and then wanted to print them (naturally).

A2 posters were made using basic CMYK and also marbling effects to be sold at an event; Handmade & Bound, which was hosted at St. Bride’s in London in November 2011. The event is an essentially an artist book and zine fair, but any handmade material or work is accepted. It is also worth stating is it a brilliant experience, for the buzz and the vibe of the day but also for networking purposes.

Handmade & Bound

Evaluation

At this stage these experiments serve as their own entity, they are essentially, what they are. However, they could be considered to be snapshots from ones’ mind set over a period of time, recalling specific locations and thoughts. Combined to create some kind of dialogue and meaning for all that has informed them, but still allowing for misinterpretation and juxtaposition, an overall sense of uncertainty.

The work feels as though it would/could sit in some kind of publication, either an artists book or potentially something of a similar nature or feel could be used to accompany a magazine article. This is something which has not been executed to date.

There is still a need to be able to recognise and work through points of hindrance, lack of motivation and the underlying sense of worry I have experienced this semester. Realising that by being active regardless of the outcome, initially, opens up avenues and means I can be less precious about work as there will be more to choose from, edit and use or not use.

However, in regards to the work produced to date, it feels right and feels as though it comes naturally. Although, new routes and interests have been opened and investigated. There seems to be something connecting, even if that is yet to be fully identified.

Although analogue processes and interests are at the heart of what is being pursued, digital skills are constantly being developed and I am aware they are an aspect of my skill set which needs constant development. However, being aware of this does not necessarily constitute a large element of digital happenings emerging in work to come.

To continue to explore and develop manipulation with printers and print media. Although, there needs to be another element added to give the work and process more life and longevity. Not sure of what this could or would be as of yet.

Expanding upon work made to date, I will still be drawing and photographing things that are points of interest, thoughts, experiences and so on. Maybe find a topic or subject area, such as banality or voyeurism to focus on, or alternatively make combinations of interests and produce work around those, for example, cowboys and architecture.

FMP Proposal

The following material has all been accessed between September and December 2011. This material is merely a snapshot of the images, artists, works that I have viewed and consumed over the past four months. However, ALL material below has had direct influence on this semester of work.

Books:Chandes, Her ve. (2002) William Eggleston. London: Thames & Hudson.Lewis, Wyndham. (2009) Blast I. London: Gingko Press.Kerouac , Jack. (1993) Robert Frank: The Americans. Cornerhouse.Lynch, David. (2007) David Lynch. London: Thames & Hudson.Horn, Rebecca. (2001). All These Black Days - Between. Scalo

Websites:Google Image Searches:Calle, Sophie.Clark, Larr y.Emin, Tracey.Grosz, George.Pettibon, Raymond.Richter, Gerhard.Weegee.All accessed 2011.

Rosenbohm, Lars. (2011). http://www.larsrosenbohm.de/

Events:Handmade & Bound: Artists book and zine fair. (2011). London: St. Brides.Critical Tensions Conference. (2011). London: St. Brides.

Exhibition:(2011). Wilhelm Sasnal. London: Whitechapel Galler y.

Bibliography