Project Bloom at the Crown Royal Hotel in Brussels offered the opportunity to create something completely different, being limited to the medium of paint, and never having created a painting before (not one that i would call a painting anyway), i knew from the offset that that it wouldn't be a detailed visual wonder, the thought process started with thinking how i could create a image that was simple and subtle, something that would create a image or experience without having any drawing or painting ability. The exploration went on until i finally thought about the use of light and the ability of creating an experience the audience could encounter. Experimentation with pearlised metallic paint were explored with various imagery until finally a petal explosion where investigated to create a subtle but intriguing light experience. i wanted the image to be minimal as not to over power the experience created by the paint.
On the day of the painting nerves began to take over and doubts about white paint on a white wall, made me anxious about the outcome of the painting, but through reassurance of taking gold paint i began the moral painting in room 324.
As I began to apply the paint I could see that my intention was going to take place, the paint would disappear and then reappear depending on the alteration of the light. the best part of the painting was on first entry of the room, where the white wall seemed as if it was completely bare and then as you slowly passed the image the light would reflect and would bloom into an explosion of floating petals.
Bloom Statement
The work is an experience an encounter into an illusionary space from nothing into something. Inspired by the notion of bloom the appearance constantly alters with the vision of light development either natural and artificial. Transformation is a major aspect to all the work I create with an intention of capturing an essence of alteration and experience. Silent observation is required watching the piece transform and alter in appearance, and if you watch carefully you will know when the clouds cover the sun.
Reflection
A subtle transition into an experience, an encounter into an explosion of beauty. The initial idea was taken from the process of what bloom is, so i thought that it was a happening an event that takes place something brought on by a range of different natural elements. taking a context on what bloom is I came up with the idea that its not motionless its a process of development forever changing altering in perception. So there I was thinking straining the brain of what the fuck I was capable of producing and then the thought hit me, I remember thinking about the natural light of a piece, of how bloom is a matter of blooming through a process. Highlighting of how my work reflects a process and endurance of thought and creative idea. it’s the idea that will work not actually the piece. Before travelling to Brussels several designs where drawn and put together. I knew I wanted to include an avenue of my own context within the work that I was to be produce, so thinking strongly about the afterlife and near death experience it had to be something about the light something more than a flat painting it had to have life, it had to be an experience just like dying. on reflection of the piece I feel likes its magic, an illusion of something more, an atmosphere, an experience the audience encounters, disappearing and reappearing questioning the possibilities of the light, just like I do when thinking about the aspects of a near death experience.
During the 4 days many positive comments were made about the piece, but for me Marion's comment summed up the piece when she described it as "a magical encounter". It was this, that made me think of how a person had an experience with the piece, and my intention had been achieved. I decided to edit the documentation down to just over 7 minutes, including the footage of happenings that occurred during the creation the piece. The long fades between the frames, create a subtle transition that acts as a fading memory in my mind, as if it was a dream.
