Adhoc Assemblage
I sought to create objects that invite participation and play, with the aim to distract, soothe and offer therapy. I experimented with balance slotting, stacking, connecting, containing and reflecting. Inspired by the grounding abilities of natural forms, universal interconnectivity, assemblage and adhocism.
My pallette explores the notion of circularity through the potential of up-cycled, biodegradable, recyclable and grown materials - considering and challenging the notions of ephermerality and permanence. Mining for and using up waste from my own life and my work in the photographic industry, allows my practice to be informed by my own unique context.
Having gathered my objects from the last two weeks I wanted to explore how that their relationship to each other could be as informative to my research as their individual lessons. In this exhibition sheet for Bridget I document the gathering and assemblage of my objects into adhoc grouping.
Learning about Assemblage and the post modern adhocism movement helped me understand the contextual significance of objects being brought together in such a way. The latter in ‘making do’ or being inspired by what is available.
‘The art of living and doing things Adhoc - tackling problems at once, using materials at hand rather than waiting for the perfect moment or proper approach’ Charles Jencks, Adhocism - the case for improvisation, 1972
Which I feel draws parallels to Circularlity where as conscious designers we are asked to consider what is already there to create with, and how it might be brought together.
Circularity however builds on and could be said to improve upon adhocism by taking its approach to using materials at hand and urgency in creating, but demands a need for a designed and considered ‘proper approach’ which ensures more good than harm prevails.
I sat with the objects for an hour or so, with the aim to convey through pictures their implicit intention. Reminding myself of the initial words I chose last month. Closed loop, Meditative, Playful, Balance, Animated, Ephemeral, Connection, Therapeutic, Nature
I think and hope that the idea of play is instilled in the objects themselves as well as their assemblage. Puzzle like peices slot into themselves in multiple forms, slime and paper are set into natural rock forms, brought together like Jenga. They were Playful for me to make and assemble.
Making the shapes and the stacks forced me to use my intuition and let go and be creative with my hands. A process Psychologist Carrie Barton asserts can improve mental health in her book ‘the creativity cure’, 2012
Free sculpting shapes without overly think, or free cutting wood or mirror offered me a mindfulness. Going on to create the stacks helped me clear my mind and forced me to stay in the moment and although it was challenge to make them balance and find a harmonious and intuitive assemblage, with each ‘success’ I gained a sense of accomplishment, giving me the confidence for the next.