Visual Arts Weeks four to eight

Creation of the Rhino Horn

Over the up and coming fortnight I intend to expand on ideas using found materials, creating animals that are at risk or protected due to the fault of human beings. After researching a variety of protected species at Chester Zoo and the Sea life center. I intend to expand on the the many types of species gathered and created. I will collaborate a collection to the on looker that will have no immediate connection, however on further reflection will make sense with a deeper underling meaning. If the viewer was just to physically look at the installation and not look for the hidden meaning the whole concept and existence will be somewhat lost, as the choice of breed of animals has no association with one another showcasing such a vast variety. When  looking more closely at the reasons as to why these airmails have a connection, the viewer will then be able to piece together the Iconolgy behind this and soon realize its the link that all species created, are in one way or another at risk, vulnerable and protected species. For example a rhinoceros, swan, reindeer and a red squirrel visually together look a rather odd and wouldn't happen naturally in the wild.

Sketch from Chester Zoo

Rhino's are beautiful mammals killed for their horn mainly for the sales of medicine on the Asian Black markets. I plan on creating an art piece using the structure of the horn, this will be made up of neutral colours and with the use of tacit knowledge I.E finger knitting and the creation of knots this will then intern add strength to the structure, in order for the piece to hold its own shape and to portray the significance of the horn itself.

A Tree acts as a file for the Rhinos Horn 

Horn filling was a behavior i was able to capture during one of my visits. 

 As part of my Contemporary Debates argument I will be researching present day media looking at propaganda and the issues  relating to poaching these animals that are in the local news to date, as the species are at risk now more than ever of becoming extinct. www.savetherhino.org

In order to create a 3D Rhino horn sculpture I began by researching the overall structural shape of  the horn by drawing the animal from observation, I was able to work out the overall structural shape and began to create the rhino horn. I was able to be inspired by light fixtures at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. This sparked the initial idea of creating a wooden structural frame, where I then intern could create circular shapes and weave using an array of materials in order for the shape to hold itself upright. By pinning each vertical section to a circular board and joining each piece of rope to the same starting point gave me the cone shape needed. I was then able to weave and strengthen the structure with rope, metals cottons and many more found materials including human hair. After researching Rhino facts I was amazed to discover this fact that the horn itself is made up of compacted hair and this is unique to this mammal therefore included it in my material  list.

Visual Arts Salford University week one - four

Gathering Research 

weeks one to four

After visiting the Manchester Art Gallery I was immediately struck by the sheer impact of a photograph taken five years prior, in an Oxford zoo, 1990 by (Craigie Horsfield 1949) this is a portrait of a large two horned  rhinoceros. Titled Solitary Rhinoceros (top left) I was able to start my journey of information gathering with this image being the starting point. The sheer impact of the image stood out to me, as its appearance is deceptive to the on looker from afar you are able to recognise the presence and strength of the mammal. However up close the grainy texture and shadows recede this image into the background mirroring the existence of the future of this breed. I on reflection wanted to mirror the animals dying out, focusing on PROTECTED species. Firstly I wanted to get an insight of this animal focusing on its behaviours, surroundings, and engagement with humans both in the wild but also in captivity and the reasons as to why this mammal is at risk of becoming extinct in our future generation due to human impact.

For Me this footage gives a comprehensive view on human impact within the environment and as a result I plan for the Creation of a 3d sculpture based on protected species gallery visits to The Manchester Art Gallery, The Manchester Museum Liverpool's Bluecoats and Leeds gallery. However many other areas of influence are taken from the actual animals themselves on show at Chester Zoo, also the natural history programmes that include these mammals within the wild and focus on their unseen behaviours like David Attenborough's Wild Africa to which I love. 

 Above Left is an observational drawing of the two horned Black rhino I intended to capture the  'Solitary Rhinoceros'  this piece is not only just an image of a rhino however a piece that under close inspection disintegrates before your very own eyes as Craige  Horsfield intended in his photograph. His  rationale for this was a direct link between, both the present day and the past acting as a reminder for the viewer that  'death is always with us' the artist has been able to capture a true gesture of the stature and stance of the rhinoceroses in the image as I have done below using found materials from within their environment. It is both dramatic and an empowering piece i believe as I have tried to included an overall essence of the environment and the impact this has on the breed dying out.  I purposely included brown leaves capturing the animals destiny if humans continue to hunt this magnificent breed. Cragie Horsfield has been an inspiration to me and left me wanting to explore the life of the rhino further,  finding out about this mammal and its true facts, one I was completely astonished by  finding out that the horn itself is made up of compacted hair a material which I went on to pursue when creating the horn itself.  

gathering resources, information in order to create top right piece named George.

My own recordings of  Rhino behaviour and human interaction within

the Enclosure Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo has tried to mimic the natural environment with the hut style enclosure.

Focusing on the habitat where the rhinos were kept at Chester Zoo I was able to gather information about the breed and its existence I was able to take recordings of their behaviours, human interactions and questioned the morality of them being put out for exhibit, when the noise level of screaming children, photographs being taken whilst trying to sleep were apparent.