A Manchester Art Gallery Experience

MANCHESTER ART GALLERY EXPERIENCE - A NARRATIVE

The city's atmosphere was warm, inviting. It fought against the cold, harsh winds that made the girl's brown curls dance in the air. She began to jog up the Gallery's large concrete steps, leaving the world full of greed, power and noise behind her. Casting her eyes on the brown wooden door that stood before her, she stopped abruptly. Photographs! She thought, turning on her heels and jogging back down the steps. Her brows scrunched together as she held out her phone, ignoring the groups of wavering eyes that scrutinised the odd girl before them. 

Angles, compositions, focal points. She murmured.

  

Angle after angle, her shots piled up in her camera roll, an array of perspectives began to collect on her phone; the steps, the columns, the foyer. She was motivated, determined to collect as much research as she could on her short visit to the Gallery. Everything was a beneficial experience, from the paintings on the walls, to the benches on the floor. Her mind was a sponge; soaking in her surroundings and possible findings she may discover at the Gallery. What might that entail?

                                                        

The loud bustling background soon ceased as she entered the Gallery; enveloped in peace and silence. With phone in hand, all that could be heard were the flashes of her camera, that were capturing every positioned perspective shot she was currently observing. The same stone columns greeted the girl on the inside, natural form sculptures accompanying them. Regal colours of gold decorated the Gallery, an aura of tradition and life painted the walls that carried the precious pieces of art. The subtle lighting added to the atmosphere, blending into the coloured environment. On numerous walls, patterns upon patterns were scattered across the room, full of detail; the decals were small but significant. Her surroundings becoming somewhat overwhelming, she grimaced. Her eyes raked over the many minute attractions within the walls rapidly, before moving on to explore another section of the Gallery.

Windows of glass and metal poles consumed her surroundings, standing tall and reflective. The open spaces created a sense of warmth and ease. There was no claustrophobic energy, the walls did not begin to inch closer. Nor did her breath become short and shallow, her brain did not race with a multitude of thoughts.

Everything was still. Tranquil. She was able to enjoy the many wonders and mini attractions a girl like her possibly could, walking around aimlessly, recording the sights before her. Many of the public were attracted to the Gallery, but the glass doors and large rooms did well to quell her fears of being around masses of people at once. No triggers, no attacks, no anxiety.

         

   

                                                                               

REFLECTION [7]

Finding yet another connection within the Speech Act's exhibiton to link with my theme of identity. I began to experiment independently. Using my own experiences to recreate a more abstract and geometric approach to my work, and practical experimentation. I used digital editing to create this, wanting to experiment using techniques that I am familiar with. I felt confident using the software to edit, however, I struggling with finding a middle ground to use to actually inspire what I wanted to create. Thinking of colours, expression and meaning I attempted to construct a sample that included darker colours. I wanted to allow the viewer to recieve a specific emotion or collection of thoughts that allow them to dissect why it is composed the way it is, and why the colours are there.

I do not think that geometric pattern is my strong suit, and so I do not believe I would be using it to inspire anymore of my future practical work. Although I did not feel comfortable during this experimentation, I did learn to look at work and create work in a more abstract sense, rather than approaching practical work more literally. Using this knowlege, I can allow myself to see art in more than one perspective during my practical work, and hopefully allowing more connections and meaning to be interpreted throughout. If I was given this task again, I would simply allow myself to base the composition and colour off an experience that then influenced my outcome/s.