Proposal 2

Eng Agger · MA Digital Fine Art
Camberwell College London 2016-2018
Category: Proposal
Proposal 2

1. Working title
– A Surrealistic Journey –

By chance I found an old suitcase in the garbage room where I live. The suitcase is from the ’60s and has previously been owned by a famous Danish surrealist, Wilhelm Freddie, whose name and former address is written on the suitcase. Wilhelm Freddie lived from 1909 to 1995. It made me curious and I started reading about Surrealism and its mindset and I think I can use it as a framework by studying workprocess, history, and storytelling.

I am fascinated by coincidences and the use of the unconscious in the creative process. In my latest project, I took the role of a photographer with the task of taking snapshots of my dreams, in order to capture unconscious images.

Dreams are something we all have in common; we dream whatever time and place.

I want to translate the clear and strong voice of dreams into visual statements.

2. Aims and Objectives
My first aim is to find out more about dreams: Can I use other people’s dreams? How can I collect dreams? What inspiration will I find from artist who works with dreams? What can I learn from psychological dream theory?

Another aim is to learn more about collage as an art form in a broad understanding: Assemblage, bricolage, picture- and film montage etc.

My third aim is to get better understanding of video installations: The importance of sound, size, time, pause, multiple screens etc. What are the fundamental theories of storytelling in a spatial installation?

Objectives:
– Research Surrealism in general: Read literature, visit art collections and exhibitions, look at surrealistic art.
– Investigate the conscious and the unconscious.
– Explore different media for production (video installation, interaction, etc.)
– Research collage based art; film montage, assemblage, bricolage etc.

3.Context (including historical-, contemporary, and theoretical contexts):
What will be my context; where are my inspiration and inputs coming from? I am interested in dreams as a subject we can’t control and as a common human constant.

Dreams are an exciting world to engage in, because dreams can be regarded as a “painting” which is a result of a course of action free from outside control.

The old suitcase got me on the track of surrealism but I’m not sure how it will be a part of my final project. I’m inspired by surrealism in my study proposal and maybe it will be used directly in my final project.

History:
Surrealism, video art/ installation, thoughts about the subconscious and dreams.

Technology:
Lev Manovich, Christiane Paul
Behaviors: Tor Nørretranders, Bill Buxton

Contemporary:
Read and write about my inspiration sources: Lis Rhodes, Tony Oursler, Klaus Obermaier, Sol Lewitt, David Lynch, Bjorn Melhus, William Kentridge, Bruce Nauman and Bill Viola

Theoretical:
The language of video installations, Surrealism and digital art.

4. Methodology
The theory of Surrealism is my framework; it is a widespread ideology which embraces thoughts and objects that reach far into our history and cultural heritage. Until now the idea of the subconscious as a “tool” in the creation of art inspire me a lot. Also, the collage idea/strategy and the unconscious clash of elements are worth a further investigation.

To examine the subconscious I started visualise my dreams. I store my dream images in a image bank from which I can combine different dreams in a collage using my “surrealismgenerator” app. I am continuously feeding the image bank with more dreams.

I want to interview an anthropologist about her experience of making dream sessions with more people over several days.

I also want to interview a psychologist in order to get knowledge about dream therapy.

I want to transform my research about video installations into visual test examples.

I will explore and improve my skills in various techniques:
· Cinema 4D: Useful in a VR or Unity output.
· Audition and Audacity
I will use online software tutorials and ask professionals for advice in my work with sound and interaction.

5. Outcomes
The outcome will be a mixture of video installation, interaction, illustration and motion graphics.

6. Work Plan
Until low-residency I will explore and make practical tests with sound and video installation. At the same time I will study and research about dreams in art and in the field of psychology.

7. Bibliography
Manovich, Lev (2001) The language of new media. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Paul, Christiane, Digital Art Third edition. Thames & Hudson
Rush, Michael (2005) New Media in Art. Thames & Hudson
Statens Museum for Kunst (2009) Wilhelm Freddie, Stik gaflen i øjet.
Löfgren, Ovar: The Black Box of Everyday Life
Suhr, Christian and Willerslev, Rane: Transcultural Montage

Links:
http://www.ubu.com/vp/rinne.html
http://motionographer.com/
http://rhizome.org/
https://www.centerforvisualmusic.org/
http://resonate.io/