OUGD601: Practical Investigation - ideas

My initial ideas for the practical element of my submission was to create large scale typographic pieces on derelict walls in unused areas around Leeds. Due to possible illegal hold backs however, I've decided to produce work on removable board. Ideally I will be able to go to busy areas in the city centre, Woodhouse Moor and Hyde Park/Headingley and produce artwork in public spaces.

There may be weather problems due to the time of year which would hold me back slightly, unless I was undercover while working or using materials that were not affected by the rain or board strong enough to hold up against strong winds.

I would need to document the process of each piece as well as the reactions of the public or general awareness of the 'act' itself in creating art on the streets. Although not actually creating artwork on the walls of the city is a defect in the synthesis of the project, I aim to pick up on other elements spoken about in my written work which will help to practically investigate the effects of producing design for positivity in public spaces.

I have thought about using mindfulness research as the main content for the positive artwork. Since I want the focus to be on typography and lettering within the design, it is important that I develop a series of words or phrases that represent positivity.

Directing the phrases at the audience by use of the word "you" and making it appear as though they are in control; which they are as they can choose whether to pay attention to or ignore the visual information that is around them.

Colour and size are other factors I need to consider. Both small and large ephemera can have an affect on the audience, as found by my research taken in Leeds city centre. As well as the main designs on large board, I intend on producing smaller pieces with positive messages such as stickers and smaller cards, similar to flyers and posters which are less permanent but still class as street art in purpose.

Several articles I've read about positive thoughts and mindset often transfer the control into the hands of the individual, implying that the way to achieve happiness or a positive outlook in life is to accept control in what you do and realise that this is the only way you can control how you feel about events and circumstances. 

One article online talks about people's innate urge to seek happiness as if it is a goal at the end of a journey. Linking to consumerism, many people think this is how they will become happy, by purchasing more and more until they acquire the things that make them happy, however this only leads to the want for more once the temporary happiness fades. Happiness is a state of mind - a way of being. While many people believe that happiness is achieved by having things, doing things, then being happy, it is in fact the opposite way round. Be, do, have.

http://richhabits.net/the-be-do-have-formula-for-happiness-and-riches/

I'd like to continue down this path of using words and phrases that encompass this idea to affect the positivity in people's lives. This is something I need to develop further in order to produce a typographic design for the audience, city inhabitants, particularly Leeds as this will be where I execute the final ideas.

Drawing on found wood seemed the most suitable way to get away with creating art on the street without breaking any laws. I could develop this from smaller moveable blocks to larger wooden panels that are more difficult to move, although transporting them to an area myself would be quite hard. As part of the project I’ve accepted there will be issues with doing anything illegally, and I am yet to get any commissioned work on the street.

Smaller ephemeral pieces can be stuck down or left in an area, propped up in a place that contextualises the piece.

Chalk would be a great form of temporary art which is definitively impermanent. Only lasting for a short amount of time limits the amount of people who will see it, though this is part of the quality. Also, the act of writing in a public space may attract attention.

Ideas for chalk writing - on the floor - could consist of messages such as ‘look up’ or relative to the overuse of phones so heads are in a permanent face down position.

I also had the idea of using perspex, as it would incorporate the surroundings even more so, being see through, and paint markers would work better on this surface. It also allows people to rub out, write over or engage with the canvas itself.

It is mainly about the act of designing in a public space and sparking conversation and dialogue within people in the city.

See COP Practical Investiagtion blog for practical devleopment.