Kate Langrish Smith

 I am really interested to take part in this project as I am actively exploring self portrayal through photography in response to situating a work of art in the created and staged image and alluding to or suggesting its potential use/activation/position/function through its relationship to the body - these moments are somewhat surreal, posed positions that attempt to reference or create a dialogue between the body, the objets and the space. This interest in the 'use of the body’ as a plinth, as part of the sculptural language of the image and object - as much of a moulded, malleable, plastic matter as the clay that the objects I make can be. I am exploring context and display, and how the object relates to its own materiality, as well as that of its situation - this has been of interest to me for a while, deconstructing the concept of adornment, placement and subversion of material and function with the form of the objets and what this may signify and communicate.



The activation and presentation of objects by me (the artists and maker) as opposed to a performer (which I have explored previously in other works) was an active movement in seeking to explore the more private notion of 'performance to camera' as opposed to the ‘live’ performance - something that I find daunting - but simultaneously wish to address and explore (as a non-trained performer adopting somewhat pedestrian approaches to performativity in how I may move or strike a pose). I am interested in this aspect of ‘Performance And Self-portrayal’ that you are presenting through this opportunity - a space to further discuss my interests in this area in contrast to and with others.

The image I have attached came about as I was trying to find a way to contextualise the scale of a ceramic club I had made. My image is titled 'Self-Portrait with club after Woman holding Giacometti's 'Disagreeable Object' 1931' (2021). It references a photograph taken in 1931 by Man Ray titled ‘Woman holding the disagreeable objet’ - the ‘disagreeable object’ made by Alberto Giacometti in1931 and part of a series of disagreeable objects he has made around that time. The large hollow spiked ceramic club was made in response to creating a series of ceramic objects that referenced wooden ‘Indian swinging clubs’ or fitness pins from the 19th century that were used to exercise large groups of civilians and military personelle. By subverting the practical intention and material of the original object (in the case of the fitness pins/clubs) as well as their movement capabilities, I am seeking to discuss the nature of sculpting bodies of matter, and the place that our bodies play in both the sculpting and crafting of our bodies and objets, exploring the intimate relationships we share with materials and the objects they form; and how in turn they form us. Exploring both posed and captured moments and the performative, experiential and somewhat temporal moments that can be captured through the reference, subversion and composition of material and bodily tensions.

Comments

  1. AldobrantiApril 25, 2023 at 1:40 PM

    Thank you for reminding me of Giacometti's Disagreeable objects, I recall from a ceramics module back when, making a bowl of very heavily grogged clay. It really was brutal to work with and to hold. A punk response to Bernard Leach if you like.

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  2. AnonymousApril 26, 2023 at 1:04 PM

    Hey and thanks for the comment glad to remind you. I only actually found out about the 'disagreeable objets' a few years ago when I found the 2020 catalogue to an exhibition that was held in Paris at the Foundation Giacometti on the relationship and influence of Sade's writing on Giacometti called 'Cruel Objects of Desire'. Interesting to think about combining as response to the objects into a ceramics module - i like them as they play with the function or lack of as well as the tone and suggestion and object can make. I also like working with grogged clay - as I make more sculptural objets - and use hand building techniques as opposed to the wheel.

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  3. ExploristMay 2, 2023 at 8:30 PM

    Love the phrase "the 'use of the body’ as a plinth, as part of the sculptural language of the image and object". Flipping the person/model/statue on the plinth, with the object showcased/set-off on the person. Lovely object and photo, particularly when you try to imagine what the weight of it could be and work you are doing holding it.

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  4. Frances WMay 8, 2023 at 11:39 AM

    Your image is very intriguing. I really relate to your comment about 'performance to camera' there is something less daunting about this type of performance maybe it's because there is a sense of control with a camera.

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