Starting this project was hard, because I had no clue in what I wanted to do, so I decided to separate the different themes, materials and forms that i could see myself doing for the final piece. The themes I had the hardest time deciding as there are so many aspects to look into within each subject. I also found it hard to limit myself as I didn't want to take away a good idea/opportunity for the project. So I decided to move forward with the topic that would allow me to read more and become more informed from different directions, which was consciousness and liminal space. Within that, there are so many sibjects to explore, especially when you take into account that one can take other topics and look at consciousness and liminal space from that perspective. 

At first I wasn’t sure on what I want to do, but keeping the idea of using sustainable materials in the back of my mind. This led me into looking at sustainable and obtainable materials that I could easily use and recycle at the end of the project. I looked into cans especially, as aluminum is an extremely valuable resource. I like using the reflective silver material (in general) which made me think of using the inside of the cans as the outside is often printed on. It also made me think of creating small boxes to create a column.

For this project, I still want to include sensory effects, so I thought of ways that I could include this in the park. I remember when visiting that it was quite windy, making me think of ways to include the it into the project. I was thinking of the way that wind is able to “whistle” when there are small gaps between areas. I decided to experiment with some of the cans that I already had, by cutting different holes into them to see how it would be affected when placed in the wind. However when attempting to do so, I wasn’t able to capture any sound, this could be due to the fact that the cans themselves are not long enough to conduct the air to make a sound. 

Add about tacky ness above when talking about silver

After discussing my idea with my tutor, I decided to finding ways to remove the printed ink

Performance Seminar

 The performance seminar was really interesting and fun, as I was curious on how I could add more performative elements into my work, especially as it may become more interactive with the audience. 

We played a game that made us engage with silence and how that affects each individual. It was fascinating to see how others reacted, either by giggling, smiling, or disrupting with sounds and comments. The silence was highlighted more than usual because we were all facing each other rather sitting in individual desks where we normally wouldn't see each other - we interacted with others by looking at each other. 

Then, there was an activity where one had the option to come forward and present the shoe and explain why it was important/ the story behind it. Personally, I didn't go up, although I wanted to because I was overthinking what I was going to say. Though this shouldn't have been an issue, I will try to improve it for next time and try to become more involved. 

This seminar has taught me that people can react to things differently, and that some actions can be perceived differently. 

In continuation in my quest to find more tins, I emailed the contact that was given to me by the recycling centre, and found that it may be my way to find my materials. I have sent in my membership and will be heading over on Thursday after my progress tutorial. Hopefully they have what I will be needing

After having emailing multiple sources that could have possibly supplied my with cans, I realised that perhaps my best option was to make a sign and place a box below in my accommodation for others to give their own cans. I will have to wait and see if this actually works, otherwise I will make another box and place it in Archway along with the sign.

After the progress tutorial, I went to the Papa John's down the street to see if they had of the larger, industrial cans available. They were actually able to give me three of the cans which I had to clean first. I was surprised that they would give it to me, however now I know that if I need anymore of the larger cans, I can go to different restaurants and see if they would have any of these cans available. 

Afterwards, I went to the Scrapstore in Tooting, Broadway to have a look around and see if they any cans available. When I first got there, I was surprised by the amount of things that they had, especially as some were incredibly random and I would not have thought that people would have a use for such objects. However, it is very practical as an art student to know of such places. I was able to collect the majority of the cans and take them home with me. This was a huge success as they had many of the industrial cans, meaning that the tree will become much taller and hopefully sturdier. I can't wait to start my project. 

At the moment, I am not sure what I should do for my Park project. I am torn between keeping my idea or developing it further to create something around the crisis, however I think that would be difficult especially due to the lack of materials.

At first I thought that I could continue with my current plan of creating the sculpture out fo cans, however, I think it would be unrealistic as it would be difficult to get the material/equipment as many areas are closed. I then thought that I could make a smaller version around one of the smaller olive trees my dad has (he had cut off the branches due to it being unhealthy), and then cover the tree with the cans. Though this is a good idea, I don't think I would be able to create it to the full effect that I would like to. 

With further investigating, I think my best option would be to make a scaled model of the sculpture, using Nespresso capsules. We have a lot of them due to my parents enjoying the coffee, and that we save them to bring them to recycling. This basically is the same concept as the original piece, especially with the recycling. In Switzerland, almost everything is recycled here, the customers separate the goods and have to bring them to a recycling centre. In London, recycling in general is not as heavily encouraged as in Switzerland, so a lot of recyclable goods end up in landfill, or are not recycled properly. 

I think with this point, it carries the same concept, maybe even more specific, as the piece was supposed to be presented in a Park in London from cans collected in the UK. However, it is being presented using recycled capsules in Switzerland (pretending to be Waterlow Park), using a product that is less recycled in the UK.

During the past week, I have been continuously working on my park project. Throughout the process, there were some decisions that I needed to make which allowed me to complete my project. Some of these were that for the base part of the capsule, I would use wine corks to stabilise it as well as to attach the capsules to each other. The reason why I chose the wine corks is that they are a sustainable and reusable product, which fits my theme. 

As I finished each piece, I wasn't sure how I would attach them to each other, when I realised that by cutting some wire at the length of about 2cm, I would connect the one piece on each end and then push them together, which would give me a stable yet flexible tree, which would allow me to change the shape if need be. 

Throughout the process of rethinking my idea for the personal project, I kind of lost track of what I really wanted to do. My previous ideas were good, however I wasn't sure how to continue them and make it accessible to an audience. So I decided to look back at my original PPP, and realised that was looking more into the senses than I was into consciousness and liminal space. I think to create in this theme is to go "inside" first, to look at how we may be able to perceive the senses the most, and something that everyone can recognise. 

I found that the best way would to be able to do this would be to make a video with each sense in a way that we can identify with and are able to experience.  My first ideas for these would be:

• touch: close up filming of skin (like an arm)
• scent: filming of smoke (everyone knows how it can smell)
• sight: filming of looking up into a very bright sun
• taste: filming of the inside of the throat 
• sound: recording of rain

For each recording there will be instructions where the audience/participants will need material to create an experience. These are some of the things that I came up with were:

• touch: leather shoes or bag/similar material to leather
• scent: a match or a lighter
• sight: a bright lamp
• taste: 
• sound: some water that will be carefully trickled onto the skin, whilst the participants have their eyes closed. 

these will hopefully recreate the senses and isolate each and every single one, which may give a certain clearance to the consciousness. 

At the start of this project, I knew that I wanted to work with materials that I could easily recycle of reuse. This was something important to me as the previous projects always has some kind of remnants that would take up a lot of space. I also wanted to make my project more environmentally friendly and are so that others can see how well this kind of thinking could turn out. When we were back in uni, I was ready to start the project, especially as I had collected all of the tins that would have needed. With the turn around of events, I had to leave London to go back home. This of course changed my project as I wasn't able to transport. the already collected material, and didn't have the right equipment to complete the original idea.

It led me to thinking of other ways in creating and making art with the same mindset of using sustainable materials. Looking around to what was available at home, I was able ro use Nespresso capsules - the use and the way that they are recycled are similar to that of tins, as they are made of aluminium. To stabilise the base, I used cork as it is also a sustainable and recyclable material, which works with the original concept. 

After having completed my piece, I went to photograph it in the park, as if it was still part of the park exhibition. Despite the change in material and location, I think the message is still clear - maybe even more so as it is easier to move. I also realised, that after taking the photographs, there was a sort of livliehood within the sculpture. it seemed to come alive, and depending on the perspective, it had a similar figure to that of a human. I think this makes it even more interesting and changes the way that I saw the sculpture previously. Before it was more of a tree, now it is more of an object that has life and can imitate movement. 

Th park project was something was excited about and interested in learning how to work and exhibit in a public space with lots of other artists. It was saddening that it all had to be cancelled however, I am very lucky that I was still able to change and rethink my project as well as complete and take photographs in a park, where others, due to the situation may not have had the chance. I think it shows that the climate that we are in can make everyone vulnerable and that we really need to think and develop further on how we can create in these circumstances. 

During this session, we were able to show our final projects. I thought it was really nice to look at the work that others were able to make throughout the crisis, and despite being stuck at home/inside. 

My tutor had sent out my project before the meeting started, allowing some students to test out and experience my piece, which allowed me to receive feedback from the session. 

Feedback:

• The skin part of the video and activity was successful - however due to seeing the shoe, it lost a bit of the effect, so if this were to be recreated in an installation, to put the shoe in a box, so the audience would be able to feel it out. 
• The video had activity had a transporting quality; especially the fire/scent part was strong, and the sound was incredibly crucial for the work
• The project became a ritualitic act, especially as the material choice was taken in consideration - items that were available in most households.
• The idea of using senses was powerful - it connected to memory, especially the scent and taste (fire, ocean) as many have been there and are sent back to remember a specific moment. 

I am really happy and proud of my final outcome, and how others experienced it. I think that despite having to alter the main idea of having an installation of my project, I was able to change it that it is accessible to people all over, in the comfort of their own home.