Dialogues Between Abstract and Figurative Expression Across Media

MA Fine Art Digital – Study Statement

Cross-Media Dialogues: Between Abstract and Figurative Forms
(poster: AI-generated image 2023)

Aims and Objectives

Main Aim:
To explore and develop new forms of dialogue between abstract and figurative art across multiple media, including traditional drawing, painting, digital art, and sound, investigating how these different forms can inform and transform each other.

Specific Objectives:

• Investigate how figurative drawings can be transformed into abstract works through layering and repainting techniques
• Explore the relationship between sound and visual abstraction through digital tools and real-time visualizations
• Develop interactive digital artworks that bridge the gap between representational and abstract forms
• Research historical and contemporary artists who work at the intersection of figurative and abstract art across different media
• Create a body of work that demonstrates the fluid transition between figurative and abstract elements in both digital and traditional media
• Examine how new technologies (including Raspberry Pi and local LLM models) can facilitate the dialogue between abstract and figurative forms while maintaining artistic authenticity
• Investigate the dynamic relationship between control and chance across different media, exploring how unpredictability can be embraced as a creative tool

Context

Historical Context:
My artistic practice centres on exploration and experimentation with various forms of creative expression. In the current technological context, where numerous tools and media are available, I treat each as an opportunity for artistic exploration.

I am deeply inspired by Strzemiński’s assertion that ‘in art, only those who pave the way for new forms count.’ I understand this as a call for continuous experimentation and the search for new paths of artistic expression. This idea of being an experimenter and discoverer of new possibilities in art forms the foundation of my artistic practice, where I seek dialogue between different forms and media.

Contemporary Context:
My artistic practice focuses on the process of exploration and experimentation with various forms of artistic expression. In the current technological context, I embrace both traditional and digital tools as opportunities for creative investigation.

The diversity of media I use – from traditional techniques (drawing, painting) to new technologies (Cables.gl, musical visualizations, Raspberry Pi, local LLM models, and interactive systems) – helps maintain creative freshness. This ability to move between different forms of expression prevents artistic burnout and routine while enriching each medium with experiences from other creative areas.

In my practice, both the creative process and its reception are essential. As a creator, I focus on exploration and experimentation, where different media allow me to explore various degrees of abstraction and figuration. As an art recipient, I understand the importance of fresh perspective and openness to new forms of expression. This awareness of the dual role of humans in art – as creators and recipients – along with the ability to move freely between different media, helps maintain the vitality and authenticity of artistic practice.

Theoretical Context:
My theoretical approach is based on several key foundations. A fundamental element is exploring the dynamic relationship between control and chance in creative expression. I consciously experiment with materials and disciplines that allow for elements of unpredictability, investigating the tension between the intentional and the accidental.

I deliberately avoid symbols in art, which allows for interpretative openness of the work. I believe that art can be experienced ‘through the skin,’ without intellectual interpretation or naming.

I am particularly interested in the space between the figurative and the abstract. This transition is not a simple choice between two opposing approaches but rather a continuum of expressive possibilities. In my understanding, abstraction offers greater poetic quality and interpretative openness, while figurative elements can serve as a starting point for further transformations.

The theoretical foundations of my work also relate to the concept of multidimensionality in art – not only in the physical sense (as in 4D visualization) but primarily in the context of expressive possibilities through different media. This multidimensionality allows for the creation of complex dialogues between different forms of artistic expression.

Methodology

Artistic Practice:

• Regular drawing practice as a technical foundation (figurative studies)
• Experimenting with transforming figurative works towards abstraction through layering
• Conscious use of chance elements and unpredictability in the creative process
• Working with various digital media (Cables.gl, musical visualizations, Raspberry Pi) as a space for exploring the balance between control and chance
• Investigating how different media respond to random and unforeseen elements
• Experimenting with local LLM models for creative applications
• Documenting the creative process with particular attention to moments of unexpected transformation

Research Process:

• Experimenting with different degrees of abstraction in each medium
• Analyzing mutual influences between work in different media
• Studying the relationship between control and chance in the creative process
• Systematic exploration of unpredictable elements across different media
• Analysis of decision-making moments: when to accept versus reject change effects
• Investigating how transitions between media affect creative freshness
• Observing and documenting audience reactions to controlled and random elements in works

Documentation:

• Maintaining a blog as a form of reflection on the creative process
• Photographic documentation of successive stages of work transformation
• Recording theoretical thoughts about the relationship between abstraction and figuration
• Digital archiving of the creative process

Outcomes

Artistic Works:

• Series of works showing the transformation from figurative to abstract forms
• Interactive musical visualizations created in Cables.gl
• Installations combining traditional and digital elements
• Experiments with varying degrees of abstraction across different media
• Interactive works utilizing Raspberry Pi and local LLM models
• Real-time generative artworks exploring the balance between control and chance

Process Documentation:

• A comprehensive blog documenting the development of artistic practice
• Photographic documentation showing stages of work transformation
• Record of theoretical reflections on the creative process

Presentations:

• Exhibition combining traditional and digital elements
• Online exhibition system using created WordPress tools
• Presentations of interactive musical visualizations
• Live performances incorporating real-time generative elements

Additionally:

• Development of theoretical understanding of the relationship between abstraction and figuration in contemporary art
• Establishment of methodology combining various artistic media
• Creation of a foundation for further artistic development in the direction of dialogue between different forms of expression

Work Plan

First 20 weeks:

• Weeks 1-4: Intensive drawing practice, beginning experiments with transformation towards abstraction
• Weeks 5-8: Development of Cables.gl project, first experiments with musical visualizations
• Weeks 9-12: Investigation of different degrees of abstraction in traditional and digital works
• Weeks 13-16: Development of online exhibition system, initial experiments with Raspberry Pi
• Weeks 17-20: First presentation of results, gathering feedback

Next 20 weeks:

• Development of most promising directions from the first stage
• Deepening experiments with various media
• Integration of local LLM models into creative practice
• Preparation of first major presentation combining different forms

Final 20 weeks:

• Finalization of main works
• Preparation of the final exhibition
• Documentation and process summary

Bibliography:

Books:

• Bonaccorsi, A. (2019). “Raw Drawing.” Batsford
• Guash, G., Asuncion, J. (2009). “Creative Drawing.” New Holland Publishers
• “Picasso and Paper” (Royal Academy Catalogue)

Online Educational Materials:

• The Drawing Database – Northern Kentucky University (YouTube)
• Ofer, K. “Transparent Drawing” (www.transparentdrawing.com)
• Louisiana Channel (YouTube)
• Mary Lynn Buchanan (YouTube)
• VernissageTV (YouTube)
• Contemporary Art Issue (YouTube)

Tools and Technologies:

• CreativeApplications.net
• Cables.gl (documentation)
• ZenSpaceRadio.com
• Stable Diffusion
• Upscayl
• Raspberry Pi Documentation
• Local LLM Implementation Guides
  Huggingface.co