I made a video this morning talking about what I thought were eight different types of paramontage, but I realised that there’s one at the framer’s with variable photo sizes and no poem. So in fact there are nine different types. I find myself classifying as part of my art practice, it helps me to take stock and to settle before moving on. I’ve slowed down a lot in recent days, and this morning early made only one new item with photos I’d identified for treatment weeks ago and had not got around to dealing with.
Being a bit slower with my output lets me reflect and understand what I have to work with (I took many photos over many years) so that I can more effectively tell a story. Just by looking at the photos at leisure I can see new concurrences, new links between colours and topical elements, and so gracefully incorporate each one into a seamless whole.
Stepping back and talking about the process is useful because you feel more in control of the material, if you just heedlessly create without medial steps you risk making things that are substandard. I want each paramontage to possess its own specific gravity, to be in the world but also to embody my ideas and hopefully to communicate with other people.
A routine is important. I go to the print shop about twice a week to pick up finished items, drop off cardboard tubes for reuse, and deposit new files for them to work on. I always use the same paper and chemical process, these are true photographs under the Fuji brand. The bus takes me there and brings me home, and sometimes I’ll stop off at a nearby shopping centre to do errands such as grocery shopping.
This routine is the metronome around which my creativity revolves. The blogposts and videos are mainly so that I can stay in touch with friends. Anyone else who engages via a comment is welcome to join in, and I will take other views seriously, giving them due weight and responding in kind.
4 comments:
Slowing down to reflect on the creative process now and again is a very good think, and as you say series the quality of art
Thx for yr comment. Yes, I am slowing down and it feels right. I was churning 'em out before and I was getting a bit manic. Now doing far less but becasue I have about 50 done I can reflect on achievements to find a way forward ..
I remember when I started making Carmen Infinitum, which was my first series of artworks, I made a big number of photographs very quickly. It was an explosion of creativity, blocked for many years. The images came pouring out and I was astounded and very exciting, because that was I side of me I didn't know existed. But in time I slowed down, and found that taking time to make an image really pays off, both in the savouring the creative process and in the quality of art produced. When you stop and reflect and pause and do something else, new ideas and perspectives come in, enriching both the process and the image. There is nothing wrong with selecting photographs and a poem for your paramontage and let it sit for a day or two before making the final decision. This way there is more time to look at each photograph, play with the overall composition and observe how ithe relationship between images and words change when you move them around. I guess I am for looking in closely and carefully rather than giving things a quick glance.
Yes, the flux of events lets u comfortably relax and the idea can gestate in peace for a while. I sort of wait until inspiration strikes then I move in to do the work. With writing poetry it's the same. The oblique approach means that it's no chore and it remains enjoyable.
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