Final sequencing of prints

This is the final sequencing of my images, adapted from another sequence with some scenes rearranged to make the narrative more fitting. I devised it through thinking about how I first remembered the dream upon waking; which was the ending of the dream and leaving the island with Anthony and Ross.

From scenes two to twelve I wanted to display a mixed account of remembering being on the island and watching everyone's panic, juxtaposed with just watching these events through a TV. I aimed to make this as logical as possible in terms of how I remembered it, which involved some events taking place in reverse order (for example remembering watching the TV show, then remembering turning the TV on). 

A couple of prints were kept in their original order like nine and ten (the top two in the above image, 'going into' the TV) which I felt conveyed the pivotal moment in the narrative when the dream completely switched realities, and if displayed in a reversed order I felt this would not be clear.

Images thirteen through to twenty-one show me leaving the group of island survivors to explore the island, and finding Anthony and Ross which led to leaving the island on the bridge. I continued the method used earlier in the sequence; of switching  the chronological order  of the dream according to the order it was remembered.

The last image in the sequence was originally the first image; sat talking with friends before beginning to watch TV.  I chose to put this last after reordering the sequence since this was the last thing that came to me after remembering the dream; almost as a clarification of how the dream began. The second to last image was originally the last image in the sequence, and I think it was good to place these two images together since it sandwiches together the beginning and end of the sequence, and creates a sense of overall unity within the narrative.

Updated Degree show proposal

Final piece: a concertina book which will measure 19cm x 24cm page size, and 6.24 metres in length. To be presented in an open format, on a long and thin table which measures 83 inch long by 12 inch wide. An example of the space and how it will be arranged.

Materials: Either wood or perspex plastic, which can be made in a workshop. Will be supported by wooden studio trestles or discreet table legs.

Preferably in the dark space with some overhead lighting to emphasise the piece.

Concertina book research: displaying and presenting

Research for displaying the concertina in my original idea of a star shape. The above layout would be more appropriate for my design, as it allows for all pages of the piece to be seen. The fastening of the book in the lower image doesn't allow for some pages to be seen, so would not be ideal as a method of installing. However I really like the design and colours used in this piece, especially displayed against a dark background.
For this display the prints on the inner pages are quite hidden, which would create difficulty for the audience when viewing the piece. 

The open format, which is my current idea for display. This will make it easier for viewing, as the audience can see all off the images clearly. The table will be made of a thin plank of wood, and supported by breeze blocks to be in keeping with the degree show theme"Grit".
The viewer will be able to see each print in close detail now, and with more ease so this display is much more appropriate for my work.

 Researching other artists books displayed in an open format, a common background colour for the work is white which doesn't detract from the piece.


These books are largely printed on one side, which is easier to display from one angle.

This is the piece of wood I'm going to display the piece on, today (21/05) I cute it down to the right length, and sanded the edges and surface to give it a nice finish.
I've decided to not paint the board as I was considering to, since I think this will also be fitting for the theme of the exhibition.

Sequencing of dream narrative: arranged in first concertina

I decided to try arranging the prints in a non-chronological manner, and experimented with various ways of organising the narrative of my dream. I tried to arrange it in a similar manner to how I remembered the dream- in spurts of information, usually starting with the last thing that happened, and with the rest filing back into place like a jigsaw. 

Only after that do I try to make sense of the dream, and arrange the events into a logical narrative with a beginning- middle- end point. For this reason I felt it would be relevant to arrange the narrative through this method, and allow the viewer to actualise the piece in their mind, forming their own conclusions based on the information provided.

This is the first narrative where I attempted this:

The second sequence arranged.

Print not working- Decided to not include in final piece.

This plate hasn't been printing well; most of the prints have been faint in areas and having been printing clearly. I think it's because some ink might have become stuck in the lines of the etch, and the grooves of the etch can't be felt. I've re-etched the image twice and tried printing again, but the prints still remain very faint and become fainter with each print. 

This setback has made me think about the image itself, and the event of meeting someone in the dream. In the dream it was the instant where I met my then boyfriend, and because of recent events I feel like not including this scene, and instead leaving a blank space in the narrative. I want to now create the blank space as a fragment which has been forgotten. Also when I remember the dream I recall that this scene didn't actually happen; as I was alone initially and only realised he was there much later when finding our other friend. It was like he had just stepped out of my shadow.

As can be seen from the left image, the prints are very hard to make out. Eventually I gave up on the etch due to frustration of it not printing, despite attempting different techniques like applying more ink or ensuring the paper was not too wet/dry (it has to be soaked prior to printing).

I also decided to not include this print, for the same reason as it includes my previous boyfriend. It shows me walking with him along the island, but since this also didn't happen in the dream and I was wandering alone I felt it was fitting not to include.

However there is another reason for not including, as I accidentally made the concertina book with one page too short, so there wasn't enough room to include 22 prints and keep a cover/back page. Since I wanted to leave these pages available I decided it was best to cut this print also, and leave no blank space in the narrative.

Also aesthetically I don't like this print too much, as the figures of the etch are lacking detail. I think it would have looked better if I hadn't shaded the entire area in, and drawn a similar level of detail as I had in the other prints.

Final crit, 16th May.

Discussed:
-Displaying in a long thin format, on a table or shelf.
-Develop research around display, try out different methods of presenting.
-Material/form of display relating to narrative? Or neutral and in keeping with exhibition aesthetics?

Decided to display on a long table, and have practiced arranging the piece in an open, stretched out format. Example display below, will need to adapt statement with new requirements. Also need to research concertina displays and presentation further.

Title for the project

Brainstorming some title ideas:

I wanted the title to be quite clear and concise which would sum up the narrative and link to the theme of dreams, but still remain "other-worldly". 

Some ideas so far

• I dreamt...
• The Dream
• The Dream Place
• Dreaming
• The/A Lost Dream (since the dream took place within the TV show "Lost", bit cheesy maybe)
• The Dream Experience
• The Day's Residue
• A January Dream (dreamt in January)
• Being/Feeling Lost (links to dream content, also general feeling of the dream- it's about being lost and trying to find something).
• The Other
• An Other Place
• The Dream from An Other Place
• Dreamtime
• Dreamscape
• The Place from Another Dream

 I have been researching a few other artist's who have done a similar 'dream book' project for inspiration, my favourite artist title so far is Klimowski's "The Depository: A Dream Book". I think I've been trying to come up with something similar to this for my project.

I wanted to convey the sense of an abstract narrative, one which the viewer can examine and reach their own conclusions after viewing. Hopefully leaving confusion in it's aftermath, much like after waking from a dream and only half remembering the events.

I decided to title the project/piece "The Place from Another Dream", as I liked this alteration of my original title "The Dream from An Other Place". My reasoning for this title is that I feel it sums up the theme of a dream narrative, yet remains somewhat shrouded in mystery so doesn't elaborate on "what happens" too much. I didn't want the title to give away what was happening or what does happen in the dream, as I think it would be interesting to leave this up to the viewer.

I like "The Place" aspect also, as it creates the impression that this is an unknown and potentially non-existent place, which only exists in the dream as The Place, creating more mystery as to where these events take place. I'm hoping to disengage the viewer from any preconceptions involving "where" or "what" and hope to just land them in the midst of the narrative, which will hopefully lead them to reach their own conclusions.