Graduation Project
My graduation project is a direct response to my thesis research, which focused on finding a new formal language for describing clothes in motion, with respect to histories of cultural appropriation, trend cycles, and the wearer's own interiority. This was inspired by close readings of Dandy literature, where interpreting clothes, furniture, and manner of speech becomes a competitive sport. While escaping the studio to focus on writing, I found myself drawing revolving doors (draaideuren), changing the height, number of sides, etc, and thinking about how an audience might interact with this structure in a gallery-like environment. It became clear I needed to bring this object to life and see what it could do. I developed a modular wooden structure which can be placed on wheels and arranged to work as a revolving door, or picture frame, or performing stage. When the door is turned, a disco ball spins in the centre.
Process and Challenges
This was my first time designing and fabricating a large scale wooden work, and I had to begin planning and drawing with a level of precision that was unfamiliar. When the shipment of spruce wood arrived, everything was 2mm thinner than expected, so all the plans had to be carefully readjusted. Looking ahead, the floor of the gallery itself hosts a large permanent artwork by Thomas & Jurgen, so all the wheels will be replaced with polyurethane to prevent scratching. I owe my sanity to the team at TENT and the skilled technicians in the WDKA (Raymond & Jordi) for helping me solve all these problems with both genuine interest and consideration for my modest budget.
Journey
My experience has been a positive one, with the core tutors in particular, who always brought an attitude of playfulness and trust to studio visits when discussing plans and ambitions. I credit them with a new confidence in speaking about what I do. There was also a large amount of self-organising in the class for shows and events, which was its own form of education.
Preparation and Support
Once again, I simply need to thank our current and former core staff for their wisdom and attention to detail; Liesbeth Bik, Federica Bueti, Daniel Giles, Petra van der Kooij, Bernd Krauss, Cannach McBride, Jan Verwoert, Katarina Zdjelar, Nina Wakeford, thank you!
Future Plans
I don't want to jinx them so I won't say any names but I look forward to applying for some post-graduate residencies, in addition to returning to the atelier I share with my partner in Amsterdam. I also look forward to spending less time on the train.
Conclusion
It feels silly to say this after doing a Q&A, but I find myself wanting to remember that all forms of education, not just Art & Design, should involve looking for the questions that are not being asked; about how things look, how they move, what is taken seriously, what is laughed at? This kind of doubt needs to be encouraged in all contexts; the impulse to laugh at the absurdity of life always discloses a valid need to look for alternative ways of living.
