Tag: light

The Discourse Project

Discourse [41.3777, 2.1416] is a mirror covered ring with the same shape and dimensions as the fountains in the lake of the Parc d’Espanya Industrial in Barcelona. The art installation was originally created for the ephemeral and site specific onsite exhibition I curated in July this year.

After the event, I decided to create a journey through various space- and time-specific locations and create a ‘spin off’ series: The Discourse Project

Although the artwork is the same, it’s installation in each location makes it site specific. This can be seen in the title given to each installation, such as Discourse [14.4446, 35.9148]. The numbers in the artwork’s title refer to the project’s longitude and latitude. Therefore these digits vary from location to location, just as it’s interaction is particular to these varied space and time conditions. At the end, there is one constant: the ring includes a marker and it always points North.

The ring installation is covered with mirrors. This mirrored surface brings what is “up there” to the ground. They reflect what’s above and contrast it with the ground below.
An uncontrolled and totally site specific phenomenon is the Discourse between the installation and the low lying sun rays coming through depending on the time of the day. This interaction creates a glow of light on the ground furthering the ring’s communication with this site.

Discourse [41.3777, 2.1416]

Ring shaped mirror on grass

The idea behind this installation was born with my fascination with the circular unused fountains found in the lake at the Parc d’Espanya Industrial.

This ring was adopted as a base for my own structure using the same dimensions of the fountain itself. The structure was then covered with mirror thus allowing the ring to “discourse” with its surroundings.

The installation has an internal as well as an external discourse. The shape of the ring itself is very symbolic and has many significant internal references. An interesting article I found on the symbolism of the circle.

The external discourse of the ring with its surroundings is also to be taken into consideration.

As mentioned previously, the ring is covered with mirrors. These mirrors reflect the light, trees, people and the general ambient of the park. They bring what is “up there” to the ground – to the soil, grass and fallen leaves. Depending on the sun’s position, the mirrors either contrast with the earth by reflecting the illuminated sky and sun, or they blend in and become practically invisible, camouflaged in the dark.

A third discourse would be with the geographical location itself. The ring has been cut and assembled onsite to create the shape. The cuts are made to represent longitude and latitude lines.

This geographical discourse is reflected in the artwork’s name. The numbers 41.3777, 2.1416 refer to the project’s exact longitude and latitude in the park and the ring includes a marker that marks North.

The idea is to start a journey with this installation and create new discourses in new locations in other geographical locations, always pointing North.

The ring will be the same, the numbers will change, the discourse will evolve and each location will leave its mark on the ring’s surface.

***

Discourse [41.3777, 2.1416] is a site specific installation created for the first public exhibition I have curated called Artist Takeover Vol:1 in the Park. More info about the event available by clicking on this link.

On Inspiration (series)

Inspiration I: a Balloon of Gold Dust, Perfume and Glitter

This has probably been my best week in a very long time… I had a lovely catch up with fellow artist / personal inspiration Rebecca Lyne, then had another great talk with another amazing artist Ely Daou and finished off the week by going to Swab, Barcelona’s internacional contemporary art fair.

After speaking to Ely I explained that I felt inspired like a balloon full of gold dust, perfume and glitter. This feeling stayed with me all weekend and now I’ve got something to show…

Inspiration II: Opulent, Musty and Magical

I have decided to make a three part series on this theme with this piece being the second.
The colours used are meant to represent the richness, sensuality and intimacy one feels when feeling inspired. There’s a whole universe spreading out from the seed of one ephemeral, fertile and opulent thought.

Inspiration III: The Butterflies Within

This is the final photo from the Inspiration series of photos. It’s called The Butterflies Within which is self explanatory really. I just hope to keep the inspiration on fire for as long as possible to fuel my many upcoming personal and artistic projects :)

Synonyms: animated, aroused, eager, enthusiastic, excited, impassioned, juiced up, passionate, stirred up, excited, aroused, awakened, beside oneself, charged, delighted, feverish, fired up, high, inspired, juiced up, keyed up, moved, on fire, passionate, pumped, stimulated.

Conclusion – New Life

First I was melancholic, then I was sad, then I found some way to express myself. I was baffled as I didn’t understand what I was up to. I called the pieces Untitled and moved on. Making the pieces made me feel in tune with myself and I got inspired and my energy came back. I thought about my father lots and sometimes got melancholic again, but not for long. Most of it had passed. Then I realized that the anniversary of my father’s death was approaching and this is what had probably triggered off these experiences. Now I understand and accept giving me a sense of peace. After Coming out of the Dark, I can now conclude with Conclusion – New Life. It does not cut off from my previous experiences but it is a coming together and closing the circle thus starting a new chapter.

In my visual language, darkness is not something to be scared about, or something to stay away from. Darkness can be comforting, it is an unknown, but a comfortable or even friendly unknown and this is shown in the warm and rich hues it which it is embedded.

Coming out of the Dark

In this picture, Coming out of the Dark refers to an understanding of this darkness, what it represents (my melancholy triggered by my father’s passing away) and an acceptance. This understanding and acceptance allows me move on whilst carrying these emotions with me.

Ode to a loved soul

I can feel your energy

My father was my mentor, the one who really shaped my perspective about life, love and all things abstract.

He was also a friend who whom I could debate and learn from life’s many lessons. He’s given me ambition, thought me how to think out of the box and follow my intuition and dreams, no matter what.

He also thought me to know what I want in life, so that if it comes across my path, I will recognize it.
I miss him deeply, but I also know that he is always with me, sometimes by my side, and at other times checking on me and my family from far away. These photos represent just this. The energies of a loved one close by, felt by my soul, yet invisible to my eyes.

“I know you’re here”

“Warmth”

The second year of my father’s passing away is fast approaching. This is bringing a whole new set on unknown emotions to the surface which I am trying to process. Am I feeling melancholic? Am I at peace with his death? I know that I miss him and try to fit his presence in my everyday life, however I still catch myself crying every now and again, especially if I come across a photo of his that I hadn’t seen before, or if a movie or a story reminds me of him, his greatness or his sickness. Will this ever heal? Do I want it to? Will I forget him? This thought terrifies me….

Connecting Energies

This photo is called “connection” as through it I feel as though I can somehow connect to my late father.

A Visual Poem

Portraits in the Dark: A Portrait of my Daughter & Volvo P1800E

I’m going to have to sell my beautiful vintage Volvo P1800E and as a farewell I took a session of Portraits in the Dark with Liza on the driving seat (and my mother babysitting!). I love the contrast between old and new, movement and stability.

Portraits in the Dark: A Portrait of my Father

Light allows us to see what is in front of us; darkness allows us to feel the aura of those around us.

In this set of portraits, I photograph my father in what I believe to be his element.. on his boat.

Statement for Portraits in the Dark:

Darkness can be perceived as a warm thick blanket which allows us to feel more comfortable and less restrained and self conscious in front of others. It makes us feel anonymous and personal, which in turn makes us more akin to those viewing than when we wear our daytime mask and consciously try to appear more alike to those around us. This soul, or aura is what I am trying to project in my ‘Portraits in the Dark’ series; i.e. the essence of those in front of me.

Alight – the opposite of Darkness

In contrast to my post 7/9 MONTHS TO CHANGE, part of A Dance in the Dark series where I took a series of photos of myself seven months pregnant feeling insecure about my future and who I was going to become (or who I was expected to become as a new mother).

I now present Alight, whereby I can now look at those casts and instead of seeing myself in them, I see something that I have moved away from. I now feel as though I’ve awoken from a long sleep. Now with baby having reached her 6 month milestone, my life seems to be much more real, I like it.

To me the darkness referred to uncertaintity about my future.. Therefore the focus on light means stability and puts me in a position where I can look forward to the future and plan for it.

When I look at these casts now, they seem to look like a peeled skin (kind of like a snake skin) full of cracks and creases and fit into a body that no longer belongs to me. This is my break from that Alexia to the new, stronger and more realised one (alas typing with one hand and trying to distract baby with the other!)

A Prayer for the Future

Sometimes life takes us places we don’t really want to go to, thoughts we don’t really want to face. But we have to. I took these photos in a period I knew that some things weren’t right, and yet I didn’t believe it yet, I couldn’t. I held on to hope and chance just like one would hold on to a prayer, or a last dance in the dark. In dark contrast to this setting of apparent comfort – my stage, my routine, my life.

TWILIGHT : HOPE : UNDERWATER (2012)

I come from a tiny island country in the middle of the Mediterranean sea and since I was a child have always felt to be more in my element in the sea than on land. So being pregnant and not allowed to travel to the sea was particularly hard for me.
Until now. Last weekend the doctor gave me the go ahead to travel and I spent a lovely time swimming – I just couldn’t get out of the sea :-)

These are a couple of photos taken underwater.

7/9 months to change

I’ve been going through a difficult pregnancy and have been stuck at home for a while now. Since I am usually a very active, outgoing and sociable person this has been very hard for me.

Although I love being pregnant and ‘interacting’ with baby, I feel as though I’ve lost who I was before, like I’ve lost my spark and my whole outside world has disappeared and only my inside (also inside the house) world exists.

I’ve taken some photos for the A Dance in the Dark series and I guess they represent this melanchonic feeling I cannot seem to shake off.. I’m not sharing these photos with my friends, sometimes it’s easier to share with strangers.

The books represent the readings and attempt at preparation for this new role whereas the casts were made to celebrate my 30th year and various stages of my pregnancy. They also represent various versions of me (if that makes sense!).

A Poem from the Shadows

The subconscious, dark, restless forced rest.

Anxiety (Insomnia)

I’m in a state of big changes and this shows especially at night. I cannot sleep, and when I do, my dreams are very vivid and scary. I wake up every morning feeling tired and lost… what’s happening to me? Will I be a bad mother? Why am I running away all the time? Why am I so scared? – And then apparently it’s normal.

Portraits in the Dark: Mother and Son Playing

Light allows us to see what is in front of us; darkness allows us to feel the aura of those around us.

A dance in the dark: a series of self portraits

A series of melancholic and intimate self portraits of me at home exploring various deeply personal and important subjects whilst experimenting with light.. What does each location represent? The symbols are clear, the future is not..

What Juan Saw When He Looked Inside the Bin

What Juan Saw When He Looked Inside The Bin
Installation,70x70x85
Exhibited at: Untitled BCN as part of the “Stairway To..” group exhibition
by: Alexia Medici and Jeni Cumming. Continue reading “What Juan Saw When He Looked Inside the Bin” →

Hopes, Dreams and Wishes: an outdoor installation

As in a dream, seemingly random objects are brought together… art project plans and ideas, personal wishes and wishes from my beloved ones as well as wishes for those who are currently suffering around us.. At the end all that is left is an experience.. Experience is an illusion..

All I have are hope and ambition.

Light installation: Universe in a bin

My first ever light project.. this is where it all begins :-)

This project is a joint effort between me (Alexia Medici) and Scottish artist Jeni Cumming (rhizomes and joy)
We intend to continue working on this project.. so watch this space!