Long exposure lights

I went into the woods near me and experimented with long exposure lights. I wanted to continue this idea of 'the shadow' and how the opposite of it; lights always gives a person hope no matter what. In some ways it's like a light that guides you home, kinda like a fairy godmother. I wanted to continue the fairytale theme, but with a lot of mystery. The photos I created keeps you second guessing to what the light is, who or what it may be, and where it's going....

Alice in Wonderland Tate exhibition

'The Rabbit put on his spectacles. "Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?" he asked. "Begin at the beginning," The King said gravely, 'and go on till you get to the end: then stop." (Carroll, 1865)

This is a famous quote from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, that has been one of the most incredible stories of adventure told over and over again that has stayed with me my whole life.When I heard about the Alice and Wonderland exhibition at the Tate Gallery in Liverpool, I jumped at the opportunity. This exhibition was to explore how Carroll's stories have influenced a generation of artists, including me. 

When I first entered, I was a little unsure what was going on, as there was neon signs all over the ceiling. Even after I read the description, I really didn't see what it had to do with Alice in Wonderland. And then I realised. This of course was the contemporary view on Alice in Wonderland. Don't get me wrong though, I don't hate contemporary art, because I have come across some that has amazed me. However, most of it just doesn't make sense. But that is the point you say? I like art with a certain mystery to it, but to me, a lot of it just seems like arty bollocks. It's like this nu wave of art is deemed cool if you stick a piece of scrumpled up paper on a wall and link it to the degrading of society and art critics call it, 'A fine piece of art.' To be honest it's more like a fine piece of arse if you ask me.

Anyway, back on topic... I must say even though I didn't like the ground floor that much, I did quite enjoy the neon signs hanging from the ceiling... mainly because they were quite naughty and I like a bit of rebellious art every now and then. 

  

However, when I got to the second floor, this was when it was how I hoped it to be. My favourite section was the illustrated book section. Oh my it was beautiful. I just love illustrated books, and it was made even better because it was Alice in Wonderland, many editions of the book had been made, and so many different illustrations were created. It was wonderful seeing Carroll's own illustrations however, as I didn't know he illustrated any of his own written work. I really enjoy the illustrations of Alice in Wonderland, they really do have a timeless quality to them. I love how adventurous the illustrations are, just like the books. It makes it even more interesting to look at. I love how he experiments with the way he lays out the writing. Why do it straight across the page when you can create an image with words? I think that is really clever. The art of storytelling is a gift, and as a child I always thought of myself as an author. However, throughout the years I release what great talent is needed, but still keep it close to my heart. The illustrations Carroll uses in his books don't just show us what's going on in the story; it involves us to a point that we believe we are with Alice the whole time she is stuck down the rabbit hole.

 Another part of the exhibition I really enjoyed was the surrealist section, and who else to describe it better than Salvador Dali.It is clear the connection between the brilliant minds of the writer and the artist. Almost like a match made in heaven in my opinion. However, it is clear who influenced who, as Carroll's book came out way before Dali was born. I have previously been to Dali's permanent exhibition in Berlin and there it is clear how much of an influence Carroll was to him in his surrealist world of art. I like how his images are typically Dali, but with a dash of Carroll. These were worlds that they both created where anything could happen. Disney created a wonderful vision with Dali, called 'Destino,' which was brilliantly laid out and beautifully narrated with moving images. This is probably my favourite animation to date.

No-one has influenced me more in my art than these two incredible minds. No words can actually explain how, when or why. I just accept it and smile.

This is an artist's interpretation of Carroll's story on acid. A lot of people believed
he took drugs to come up with some of the unbelievably wacky stories he told, including the
Mad Hatter's story.

Why is a raven like a writing desk?!

http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-liverpool/exhibition/alice-wonderland

Multiple Exposure Film Roll 2

I took these photos over summer, trips to Birmingham, on my sailing trip from Glasgow to Shetland, and adventures in Shetland and Edinburgh, and one photo of the Berlin Wall. I like the layering effect as it reminds me of shadows that occur in fairytales; similar to Peter Pan's shadow. I like the use of shadows in fairytales representing our dark or mischievous side. These scenes however have a sense of innocence and mystery. I am creating new scenes with a sense of ghostliness.