Kirsty McNeil
Tangible Form
The project started with the aim to explore spatial and temporal dynamics through a system of making, in order to find ways to increase awareness of these two dimensions through the experience of viewing the work. I chose readily available everyday materials because I wanted to keep within the limitations of my making abilities and remain self-sufficient. The starting point was a small cardboard box and other small objects, and then the clothes-horses were added to the boxes to provide a framework with a greater capacity for building.
Through working with iterations, the surplus materials and former works were able to be recycled into new works by un-making and re-making. The resulting early works responded to my body and abilities in their scale; however, as the project progressed the works outgrew me and I began to have to develop skills in order to meet my ambitions. Welding became important in combination with the taped structures to increase strength, and pulley systems were introduced to support the larger works throughout the making process.
Going upwards seemed to be the logical response to increasing space. The airy forms of the clothes-horses and steel towering structures of "Air-Gaits" and "Skycrane" are roped to lead the viewer's gaze up towards the space above, whilst their precarious condition activates an awareness of our negotiation through the space.
The mirror works throughout the installation both distort and increase the spatial field, providing the viewer access to another, imaginary spatial field. All of these viewing coordinates may find their grounding in the wrapped and burdened cardboard of "Slump", which weighs down space and time to the slow pace of its material form.
