FMP EVALUATION
The theme of my FMP was 'Life and Death'. My ideas for what I was going to create for my final piece has changed a couple of times as I was undecided on what I wanted to make. I had various ideas in mind and I was trying to think which one would work the best and link closest to my chosen theme. At the start of the project, I had an idea of linking Viking history with my theme. I focused solely on the Viking 'religion' and their Pagan beliefs. The Vikings had their own beliefs, they did not agree with Christians and their views but like most religions, the Vikings had their own Gods, places they go to after death and strict life rules in order to get to those places. I focused on Valhalla, a place in which the Vikings (strictly male, only a few women made the exception. Shield Maidens got their place there - within reason - and the other females there are Goddesses who were already there and Valkyries who worked with the God Odin). Valhalla was a place where you would go after death. Valhalla is located in Asgard and is the Great Hall of the God (All-Father) Odin. Those who died in battle secured their place in Valhalla, Valhalla was only an option if you had fought in battle or died in a way which was seen as 'brave'. Sacrifices were a huge part of Norse belief and many people sacrificed themselves for Odin - This got them into Valhalla. Those who died in battle received a special send off if their bodies were reclaimed, but those who were not reclaimed still got there. Valkyries, who were women who worked for Odin, came down and brought your soul to Valhalla where you would be 'born again'. There, warriors drunk, feasted and had a great time all in preparation of Ragnarok, a great battle which occurs when the great wolf Fenrir, son of Loki, swallows the sun and the world becomes dark. Fenrir is set on eating Odin and this is why the Vikings wanted to destroy him.
My first idea was to create a boat out of wood. I experimented with cardboard and paper and then with sticks, incorporating nature and trying to replicate a Viking ship. I thought that a Viking ship would represent my theme of Life and Death as when a warrior died, he had a very important and special send off. His body was placed upon a ship surrounded by goods and possessions he may need in his afterlife in Valhalla. The ship was sent off and a burning arrow was shot into the ship which would make it go up into flames, burning his body. These 'Ship Burials' were very important to the Vikings and these were almost always the only option of a send off. I researched Vikings. I researched their beliefs, their fashion, their way of living, how women contributed to society, how they are portrayed in modern day TV shows, their Gods, their mythology. I explored every corner possible of Norse mythology to get as much information as possible. I looked into the work of artist Johannes Gherts who depicts popular scenes from Norse mythology in his art. I own many books myself as Viking history is my 'hobby' and main interest. I already had knowledge which I had taught myself which I put into my project and research.
My second idea was to use a real animal skull and make something with that. I do not see skulls as 'disgusting' or 'weird', They are very important - the skeleton is what keeps us together. The skeleton is the jigsaw to complete life. I own an ethically sourced animal skull and I became set on using that in my final piece as I think it represents my theme more than the first idea. I still planned to incorporate Viking history into this second idea which I did. I had many photographs of deceased animals, bones and skulls. I had found these in my garden in the country side and I also included photographs taken at Tring museum, a National History Museum of taxidermy. I had a think about nature and I experimented with textures, surfaces and other items. Nature makes an important link to the theme of Life and Death. Nature is dying all of the time and then it is reborn again throughout the seasons. Trees let dead leaves drop, animals die, flowers die when picked and removed from the roots. I had an idea of placing an animal skull on top of a slice of wood which was now dead as it had been cut from a tree. I wanted to include leaves which overtime would die and would add to the piece. I also added crystals to the piece. Crystals are sourced from nature and are another one of my interests.
My theme of Life and Death has always been the same. I have never doubted my idea for a moment. I think that the theme can be explored well. When I was changing my ideas for my final piece, I only changed my idea for the piece and I tried working that into the theme of Life and Death instead of changing the theme itself. I developed my ideas through experimentation and planning. Not a lot changed through my project, only my idea bur even then my second idea still had segments of Viking history within it. With the second idea, I included Viking history by drawing runes on the back of the skull and naming the piece after a great Norse figure and 'famous' Viking - Ivar The Boneless.
The main material used in my project was bone. I used a full, real, ethically sourced badger jaw which I found myself. It was all in perfect condition - only missing the lower jaw but that made it stand freely a lot better. I included ivy, a slice from a tree trunk or thick branch (I cant quite remember) and crystals. I used clear quartz and ruby aura quartz and created a crown on top of the head out of crystals. I thought that would be more interesting than just placing them beside the skull. The crystals gave the skull a bit of 'beauty' as it was too large for me to bleach which I normally do myself with smaller bones. I researched into a lot of artists work. With my first idea of the viking ship, I only found a couple of artists as it was difficult to find artists who include Norse mythology in their work. I found a lot of artists who focus on life and death and a lot who work with skulls (my second idea). Some of the artists I researched for life and death were Adolf Hering, Arnold Bocklin, Alison Scarpulla, Stanley Sime, Marianna Stokes and Alfred Rethel. A lot of their works include the Grim Reaper and other death figures. The artists who I found who include skeletons and skulls are Damien Hirst, Nicolas Obery, Bjorn Sjoling, Hans Hacke, Sergio Barale, Brian Dettmer, Alain Bellino, This Is Ludo, and Demitri Bakogiorgis (who creates the skulls for Into The Fire jewellery). I also researched the Paris catacombs, human bones and animal bones. I also included my own photography.
A lot of these artists who focus on skulls made sculptures rather than drawings and 2D pieces which is why I chose to create a 3D sculpture. With 3D, you can look at it from different angles and there is always something to look at which makes it more exciting. With a 2D piece, you cannot see all angles, only a few. I wish I had explored Viking history further. Even though it was not my final project idea I still wish I had a lot more research as it makes a very interesting read.
In my final piece, I have used different formal element. I included shape and colour the most. Shape is a major part of my piece from the shape of the wood which is an uneven circle, the shape of the ivy leaves and the shape and structure of the skull. My piece is made up of very earthy colours with browns, tans, creams and green colours. Line and symmetry is also a part of my project as the crystals on the head were placed in a way so it looks as though they are fanning out from the top center to either side, reducing in size from the middle. In my project I used ivy leaves which I glazed to keep them shiny and to preserve a little longer. The glazing was a success and the leaves are still looking fine aside from being slightly dry and crumbly. The meaning and purpose of my project was to show you that death can still be beautiful. When an animal dies I think some should be left to go back to the earth depending on the circumstance but others can be used and created into beautiful art. Animals knocked on the road or who died in a non natural way should be put in the earth and allowed to decay peacefully. I think other animals found in the woods which have simply died of illness or from another animal in a peaceful place should be okay to be made into art. Nature and death can still be beautiful and can still be made into art. I included Vikings into my final sculpture by drawing runes onto the back and including a Mjolnir (Thor's hammer) with it. I named the piece Ivar The Boneless after a great heathen army leader. He was born deformed and he had brittle bones.
I am happy with my final piece. It was a last minute decision but I am pleased with it all the same. If I was to change anything, I would have included more work on my display of the piece. I placed my sculpture on top of a plinth with a brown velvet cloth. The background was white and I would definitely do different next time.
