Research - Terry Ownby

Ownby adopts a critical visual methodology by using photographs and narrative text to create a visual autoethnography. His method here links to what I hope to achieve this year.

"These narrative text panels were used in similar fashion to Barthes’ notion of text as anchorage and how a caption interacts with the photograph in that, “the text loads the image” in order to imbricate the two with cultural and ideological artifacts. In order to

explicate meaning from these visual and textual discourses therefore, a critical visual analysis framed within Barthesian visual semiotics, coupled with traditional and

non-traditional ethnographic methods was used to develop a

visual autoethnography."

Ownby, T. (2013). Specimen Views of my Post-Modern Life. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235419850_Critical_Visual_Methodology_Photographs_and_Narrative_Text_as_a_Visual_Autoethnography. Last accessed 29th Oct 2020.

I found this text particularly useful, especially for the theory side to my work as well the practical. I had already noted Roland Barthes' as an area of interest. So to be mentioned reassured me I was on the right track. Essentially the work I'm producing does use semiotics. The images and chosen shapes are indeed symbols which define my surroundings. To then be interpreted by the viewer. As the Barthes' suggests the interpretation of by societies/cultures is important for the development of semiotics from linguistics to visual images. In relation to my practice, this encouraged me to record my process in a written diary as well as photographed.

Elementary: Little League, © 2008 Terry Ownby

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235419850_Critical_Visual_Methodology_Photographs_and_Narrative_Text_as_a_Visual_Autoethnography

3D forms

Using concrete, I wanted to translate the forms and shapes from the 2D pieces into a 3D format. I like the idea of giving back to my chosen environment, as I got the inspiration from that location I believe these would fit rather nicely outdoors. These shapes have a home so I'd like to return them there. In forward, making a bigger collection of these would be ideal. Their placement and composition are key to making them work so photographed in various positions would be next for development.

Artist Research - Damien Davis

Damien Davis uses autoethnography here to represent black culture. As an artist that is covering a very prevalent political matter I felt he was important to mention as I'm also reporting on current events. He questions how societies code/decode representations of race through craft, design and digital modes of production. Using a range of materials including MDF, mirror, plexiglass and steel. Having intentions of making 3D forms, Davis' work was a good starting point for reference on the path to making sculptural responses.