what

Untitled (2012)
ceramics

why

I've decided not to title the piece until it's completion, and for the same reason won't be submitting an artists statement for assessment. I could do both at this stage, and feel that neither would alter greatly in the time it will take to compete the piece, however it doesn't feel appropriate to do so. Until it is finished there is always room for the piece to evolve, and along with it the title and supporting information.


I do, however, have confidence in this piece of work despite its slow progress. Had I been actioning this piece outside of the academic environment I wouldn't have worked to such a tight deadline, and would've instead set a more realistic target of approximately six months, as opposed to four. Production of this piece will continue alongside my next negotiated module.

how

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-trillion-pound-horror-story/


Britain's Trillion Pound Horror Story aired in November 2010 in Up to Our Eyeballs on Channel 4. In order to allow the viewer to visualise the £4.8trillion of national debt the film maker Martin Durkin used an animated clip showing a stack of £50 notes leaving the earth's atmosphere and reaching 6,561miles high. Considering a £50 note is equivalent to 0.11mm and a 1mm stack is equal to just under £500, it really emphasises the actuality of such a vast amount.  


Providing the actuality of information storage on redundant technology in relation to modern day devices, draws an interesting parallel. Representing a 2GB laptop is nothing when contemplating a 16GB USB stick. Everything is smaller, quicker, better, but reliability can always come into question.

what

In order to pack out the installation to demonstrate 1422.22 floppy disks I am using redwood posts, cut down from 4x4 to 94mm x 84mm (floppy dimensions). The posts, currently 1m lengths, will need to be cut down to 8 x 810mm and 1 x 734.4mm lengths in order to, as exactly as possible, represent the desired number of disks.

how

More math...


142.3 x 54mm = 7,684.2


7,684.2 / 1423 = 5.4mm


5.4mm x 160 = 864mm


5.4mm x 143 = 772.2mm


87 disks: 8 x 10 & 1 x 7


864mm - 54mm [10 disks] = 810mm


772.2mm - 37.8mm [7 disks] = 734.4mm

how

The disks, I feel, need to be stacked one on top of the other in a sculptural arrangement. The principal aspect of the piece is the mass of disks, and this is best represented as a bulk, as opposed to a spread. I want them to be stacked freestanding on the floor in a way that in no way represents a familiar arrangement of floppy disks, yet is indicative of the sheer volume of them. 


I'd like for the viewer to be able to see the top disk on any one stack, so that the object is openly accessible from as many viewpoints as possible.


Bearing this in mind, and taking into account that I currently have 88 disks to display, I have come to the following calculation: 


1423 [1422.22] / 9 = 158.11
160 x 8 = 1280
1423 - 1280 = 143


8 stacks of 160 disks

1 stack of 143 disks

Arranged foursquare in a 9 square grid:

how

I am up to 88 floppy disks, all of which fired. The delivery of the piece now needs to take precedence over continued production.


The floppy's need to be separated with some sort of spacer as some are slightly bowed/not exact. 


Stacked using clear silicone drawer and door closures (with self adhesive), 10 floppy's = 79mm. 1423 (0.22 to be counted as 1) stacked using clear silicone closures = approx 11,242cm (11.25m). 

Stacked using adhesive backed magnetic disks (with self adhesive), 10 floppy's = 63mm. 1423 stacked using magnetic disks = approx 8,949cm (9m).

Stacked using 13mm did x 3mm thick round felt pads (with self adhesive), 10 floppy's = 54mm. 1423 stacked using felt pads = approx 7,684cm (7.68m).

Stacked using capacity clear 3.5" disk cases/mailers, 10 floppy's = 85mm. 1423 stacked using disk cases = approx 12,095cm (12.1m).

I tried using 3/4 inch plastic washers, thinking that a larger surface area [spacer] would allow for improved balance, but there wasn't enough give to allow for the inconsistencies between the disks. I also think I'm going to need to use a spacer that has an adhesive, for stability. 

how

As I'm fast approaching the assessment deadline and producing the required amount of floppy disks is unachievable to say the least, my attention is now focused on how to give a projected vision of the project outcome. 

Using the dimensions above and calculating the height in relation to spacers/stacking, I'd like to somehow pack the installation whilst still only occupying approximately the same amount of space as would 1422.22 ceramic floppy disks. Using 4x4 timber posts, cut down to size, is the best way that I can think of to do so:

why

There has been a constant struggle to articulate this particular project, and today's tutorial proved no different. However, quite conversely, my faith in the idea (however loose and indistinct it can and has appeared) is gaining momentum. I know that there is an interesting piece at the end of this module of work. It may not present itself in time for the assessment, and it may not sit comfortably in and around the assessment criteria, however I feel that my creative development is of more importance than academic achievement at this moment in time. It's why I'm continuing to work in an obsessive and systematic fashion without deviation and compromise.


I am up to 63 disks, all fired, and am continuing to cast. 1359.22 remaining.

why

So far I have 32 floppy disks, 27 of which are still to be fired. 1390.22 remaining.


There is something really inviting about the monotony of producing these objects by hand, especially as I have a target in view [1422.22]. It matters little that I have a deadline looming, one that makes reaching that target entirely impossible. The element of endurance and nebulous repetition seems to be propelling me to continue. It is for me reminiscent of a piece of work I saw at the Saatchi Gallery in 2010: Wall by Rupert Norfolk, similarly involves a serious investment of time into what appears to be an obscure undertaking.

Wall (2006)

125 carved limestone rocks

The limestone rocks were hand carved by Norfolk in order that they become symmetrical objects, with one half of each of the 125 rocks chiselled so as to mirror the natural hollows and protrusions of the opposite side.

It has become quite a feature of my work of late to invest heavily in process and time, which in itself draws from the very nature of obsolescence and its origins in the need for improved efficiency and performance from our tools.

The hard drive that recently failed (it's happened more than once!) resulted in me losing data, time, money, patience, sanity (almost), and this has become pertinent to my casts. To an extent what I am doing by systematically creating casts of floppy disks is mirroring this loss, and giving it a material presence.