Started on 19/12/21, finished on 07/01/22. This was the last brief of curation, exhibitions and events, and the second and last big project on the module. The brief was to:
curate, design and produce a digital exhibition. You will create a live webpage [or advanced prototype] that must include:
- Exhibition title, theme and introductory text (250 words)
- A creative and well-designed webpage [or draft webpage]
- At least 10 artworks across at least three artistic mediums; e.g. digital art, VR, sculpture, installation art, performance art
- 100 words of interpretation text for each artwork
It is optional to include:
- Your own artworks
- Digital live event accompanying the exhibition
On a separate document you must also submit:
- 1,000-word blog post outlining your research, curatorial process and key learnings from the term
- Target audience and summary of your marketing strategy
- An associated events programme (live, digital / hybrid) which would accompany your exhibition
Deadline: 5pm, Friday 7 January 2022 [via Canvas portal]
This project begun on the first night that I arrived in Madrid, I realized that the projects I had done up do date relied on some hypothetical scenario where the final result could be possible (institution, location etc.). I decided to localize my efforts and do it about what I know and what I can add to it: my neighbourhood, my city, its traditions and its current situation. I decided to include only artists that I could contact directly, where I could ask for an interview or permission. From high school I knew some photographers and videographers that had an interesting outlook on the city and I decided to base it around them. I found that the aesthetic and the attitude they had belonged to a common theme, that some bigger artists shared.
I realised that the way digital exhibitions are commonly displayed is disinteresting to me, trying to replicate the space of an in-person exhibition in a digital space; or generating a “white cube” where to locate the artworks. I decided to do something that could not have been possibly done in an in-person space, something that takes advantage of the digital medium. I have also realised this year how important context and space is, and how it can change the aesthetic, narrative and interpretation of artworks. Being back in the city, with my previous experience in photogrammetry, I decided to do a 3D collage of relevant pieces of Madrid: buildings, lampposts, benches, store fronts, statues etc. Technically speaking, some of this elements are interactive and either are cohesive with the environment or it tells a story, by clicking on the interactive object it redirects to an artwork or a series of artworks, along with the description and an interview of the artist if possible.
This meant that a lot of this project consisted on observing the city and its patterns, having the opportunity to map what I wanted allowed my own subjective experience to seep in even though the map is somewhat universal. I quickly noticed the exorbitant amount of squares and parks that Madrid has, and how their relevance is stablished even in winter. So I saw that only that would be fitting, calling the project ‘Plaza Madrid’ (translated to ‘Madrid Square’) I decided to locate the square between “Colmenas”, or beehives: a colloquial term given to a series of dictatorship-era buildings located on the “Concepción” neighborhood. They were one of the first blocks of these style to be built in Spain and similar buildings are also called by that name.
They are next to where I live and they have always captivated me, it makes the environment around them claustrophobic and oppressive, even though without them many people would have frozen do death in the streets. So I decided to set the scene in an infinite strip of “Colmenas”, where in a small corner the square appears.
Along with the artworks, there is a lot of historic documentation in this project, places frozen in time or closed that in the near future they will change into something completely different. I included a train modelling store, González, that has been open as long as anyone that I asked can remember, even the owner said he doesn’t even know. It’s closing for retirement. I also modelled the “Jardín de los Príncipes de Anglona”, a small xviii century garden, hidden in the center of Madrid, which is very badly cared for but has beautiful elements; like its hand-made floor. I tried to communicate a sense of disorientation, claustrophobia, familiarity and in a way comfort (which people from Madrid might feel at seeing this).
In regard to the artists, I decided to choose a piece that I considered principal in what they do, that shows best what their approach is, and a second one chosen by the artist (so they could tell a story, something more personal etc.). I tried to get an interview with each of them (I managed six) to let them elaborate on themselves, their process and their artwork. I though it was interesting to, for the interpretative text, include a direct quote from the artist referring to it, where I allowed myself to interject and create connexions. This way I ended up with very rich interviews and accurate interpretative texts. Also the interviews, apart from being extra content, give more richness to the project, to allow for a deepdive into artists that the audience might find interesting.
Technically, this project was very difficult to do, I was only able to upload a prototype in the submission because of the processing power of my computer (it was not able to render the final version of the square) but the final result will be available very soon. Having this deadline allowed me to work incredibly hard, efficiently and fast to finish the most ambitious project I have done up to date in less than a month; which I did not think was possible. This module gave me an incredible basis to work one, with case studies that inspired me to work in new ways, I specially was interested in the section of archival art, which shows in some way in this project.
Overall, even though this project was very challenging, the process was beautiful and very rewarding, I cannot wait to release the final version and see what sort of feedback it gets, both from the public in Madrid and in the UK.
NAMENOTFOUND// 