DAY 8
Helen King
Reflections on the process of Making
There is a general expectation to make; the conventional means of artistic survival is production of physical objects. The public visit galleries, museums and art spaces, primarily to contemplate the exhibitions displayed. What does this mean for creative research, where there may be no physical outcome? Is it valid? Or is it even necessary? On arrival at the Kunstverein, we met the group for the first time. 25 people from 5 universities across Europe had assembled, open minded and ready to begin. The themes of the summer academy were left deliberately open ended and no end resolution was envisioned, it begs the question is there any need to make anything? The academy format has given us the opportunity to make without the pressure to make physical objects. This open environment does pose some challenges. In a space where you can do anything, where do you start? Some struggled to find their feet in this city, this space, this other world. Exploration, walking and research took over and made way for creative thoughts to flow. The groups split off, each finding there own points of interest and avenues to explore further. So often in studio practice is this stage overlooked. We need time to investigate. One must think, in order to make- and make in order to think. But, there is still nothing being made. Or is there? Come back to the Kunstverein and you will find a hive of activity. Virtual work is being created using computer softwares, ardino robotics creating drawings from location co-ordinates and virtual spaces being made in which to show these virtual works. This is a different sort of making. This is not the building of wood or stone, but the building of numbers, sequences and codes all being transformed by the technologies at our fingertips. This poses a difficulty for me, and other artists so used to traditional modes of working. Where is the material, the thing or object? This is not procrastination. This is digital media and it‘ s exciting to watch virtual objects being created and developed, just as I would create using physical materials. The process is the same. So where does this leave our traditional makers? Once we have reflected on this city space and place, it feels difficult to begin making without our usual materials to hand. We are out of our depths as individuals, lost to a new