eindruck_ausdruck

eindruck_ausdruck [aka reflections 2]

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the limitations of translations mark out the cheesiness of the simple polarity of impression and expression. i remember back to how i could never remember, or rather: differentiate, which method defined which school: what was the inside/outside, stimuli/response of the impressionists and the expressionists. it took a long time until i remembered that the former were the keen outdoorsy ones, soaking up the world in all its fleetingness to then express these impressions.

eindruck_ausdruck signify research and art. the keen observation of empirical facts, relations and circumstances. the correct identification of these impressions stimulates research. it is impressed, never to be impressionistic. how different from the cheap and hazy thrills that paint offered on canvas. and colour even. my heart races, my gullet sings with adrenaline and it all turns into colour and mark on canvas.

simple. isn't it.

departures to define a break with observation, impression, towards one of gesture and mark, expression.

i remember being scalded for not being expressive enough about my national, if not international expertise.
i remember the impressions left from fraught research relations and the bewilderment of others if these were dared to be expressed.
i remember the realisation that the kind of politics that mattered did not have a place. could not have a place in the institution (see expressive expertise).

observations that fed the lack of expression as the expressions i would seek were not sought.

i remember the excitement of the problems that a canvas could posit.
i remember the recognition that only close observation could resolve whatever expression.

i remember the boredom with proclamations that artistic expression was all that was needed.

present memories that simply are the internal relations of eindruck_ausdruck. they only exist in each other, are one everchanging dynamic. one

reflections 1

sand birds

i went to the sea and saw this. how lucky am i?

unfortunately, there were a lot more images, but they got swallowed when my mac chose to die last week. how could it do that? so glad that the sand birds were safely on my phone though.

I've done some, too!!

[look at me! look at me! look at me! she shouts excitedly, jumping up and down]

... Linoprints that is, seeing that they seem terribly de rigeur this January, as both Jeanette and Vivien demonstrate.

Last week I finally got started with assignment 2 of the OCA course: simple lino cuts. I had been a bit uninspired as to that assignment (did I mention that before?); too much like school work, and the very first one consisted of a tedious block full of different marks and textures. Very useful but the thought alone did send me back to sleep.

But, thanks to my easily excited sunny predisposition (on such a dreich mid-January, back to work plod), the block was quickly marked and I could proceed to task 2 and 3.

I've been collecting all these impressions and images in my mind - the night skies, the water reflections and some trees against light skies impressions and they've been waiting for a medium - the pastels and the ink sketches are not graphic enough. But, of course: the stark imagery of traditional relief prints may just get there. With that realisation I quickly developed a couple of the photos of the bull's hollow into simplified sketches*.

Water so still so dark
Linocut on blotting paper
20x15cm

This is the first one: a simple single colour print with different marks - do you recognise the image?

Print Project 2_2 WIP
Linocut on cartridge paper
15x15cm

This is not quite finished but part of task 3 in this assignment. Again, an eery place, sky and water reflection mystery. For anything more definite, you'll need to wait til it's finished though.

*I had to laugh at Jeanette's comments 'think 10 times, cut once' - that definitely doesn't apply to me... cut, then think and then improvise... the same goes for the carefully developed sketches... I struggle to produce 2, 3 even just mildly attentive ones.
And you know what? I absolutely enjoy doing without.

A blue line. Still, so still

Water reflections #2
Soft pastel on board, 35x25cm

A blue line
still so still
clear so clear
water mirror, speak to me
speak to me of the secrets
secrets you keep
so tight so close
in your red water
water so dark
water so still




Reflections. So present. So clear
to touch them to hold them
they drip through my fingers
nothing to hold nothing to have




They stand in line
upright. tall. tight
white.

Look close
bark peels and breaks
a crooked trunk
a broken branch

How kindly though
they all reflect in water

The slightest blur
and all that is crooked
turns to beauty





Colours intersected by water
a surface so still that
it seems to reveal all there is

Look, can you not see?
All that there is
to marvel at

Clear lines long lines
unbroken
until
a breeze lifts
barely to hear
it lets the lake move
it breaks the lines
hides the trees

And nothing remains.




blue brown purple blue sand

Urban Water Exploration #1

I was a tourist here once.
I no longer am.

The city looks different whether you are or you are not.

Want to follow me on a bit of discovery?

Turn on the soundtrack and on we go.



Out of the subway, across the car park to the embankment.

The river glistens in the winter sun.



But the Kelvin is not my destination, not for today.





I walk past some new build development, a dingy underpass
I wonder if this was a railway tunnel or wartime shelter
Or maybe both.



Hm, this is more like it. A bit of watery calm.
Some reflections.

But not quite right.
I am looking for light trunk dark backgrounds.
Onwards,
Past the bridge to the little pond.

It is half frozen, just the tiniest bit of open water around the edges.
Where does the water change its state.








So many trees
So clearly reflected.

Ok... time for the coffee with M.
I back track, go to my favourite coffee place - offshore... how fitting
Order a coffee and [click repeat] hear this song.





Water, the city, reflections, trees... all in an hours walk.

Note to self: need to do this more often.