Tim Long Output 3

On Reflection

To be Cross-Referred to Sub-Panel 34: Art & Design – History, Practice & Theory

Research Narrative:

Field of research

On Reflection develops my research into Artaud’s concept of the subjectile can be

interrogated and demonstrated through artistic practice by deliberately placing the

subject in intimate proximity with the object, thus closing the gap between subject

and object. The context of my research is art practice and ‘material thinking’, a

process involving physical action, force, and the material properties of objects, that

receive the idea I wish to interrogate.

Context

On Reflection presents fragmentary aspects of subjectivity, as if portions of

thoughts and desires were packaged up almost like solid manifestations of Melanie

Klein’s discussion of the part-object.

On Reflection is a wall mounted work made up of 15 small translucent boxes,

each slightly open and containing a mirror angled at 45 degrees allowing contents of

the box to be viewed, by one person at a time. The actual object can only be seen

fully on the two-dimensional plane of the mirror. I was interested in examining how

reflection can be used as a metaphor for difficulties surrounding the notion of reality

and objectivity. The boxes include objects, prints, drawings and photographs. As

objects the boxes each contain a little visual secret that cannot be photographed and

must be seen by a single human eye. The resulting dialogue between subject and

object is intended to encourage reflection of an intimate and secretive type. This low-

level interaction required the viewing subject to stoop when viewing the work, as if in

a position implying deference, or of being lost in thought.

Innovation

The work seeks to question the idea of print, secondary ‘impression’ and

reproduction. The original object is present, but also reproduced on the mirror’s flat

surface. The playful optics the work engages is also engages a metaphor for the

physical properties of the workings inside the human eye, perception, and reflection

in thought. (Word Count: 422)

Indicators of Quality: Exhibited as part of the International Northern Print Biennale in

Newcastle upon Tyne from June - October 2009. The work was subject to a rigorous

peer-review process of selection by a panel of judges. I was one of 50 artists

selected for the exhibition from a submission of 800. Submissions for the exhibition

were open to all artists whose work includes print, both in the UK and internationally.

Figure 1 On reflection, view of a single box

Figure 2 On reflection, at the International Newcastle Print Biennale