Introducing Jack Ellis

Design + animation: Jack Ellis. Mentoring: Graffio Arts. Video interview recorded by Aidan Matthews. Editing by Jonathan Fuillet.

Jack is a recent Digital Media Graduate from University of Lincoln and spent six months at Institute Research Lab on a Kickstart Internship. This is what happened…

We were familiar with the kind of folio that Jack turned up with. It’s often the case that young 3D modellers tend to gather in online communities that are linked to the game industry and other markets but don’t get the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of their practice.

We brought a specific premise to the table with Jack- creating 3D models is an alternative way of drawing or a virtual way to build. So what should you be drawing or building? To answer that a good starting point is to look at what creatives are dealing with in other areas of the arts. We bombarded Jack with concepts from across the arts and his understanding of why other creatives do the things they do, started to develop. Jack started to see how his work could be valuable in a host of different situations.

Jack really wanted to develop his 3D modelling abilities so he stuck with the 3D modelling program, Blender and explored it’s limits as we threw progressively more involved work at him.

When we can, we like to get interns to work on live projects. In this situation we ensure that there’s plenty of time available to develop the project, we create a back-up plan in case things get tricky for them and we make sure that their contribution to the project develops their practice and provides work for their folios.

Before we could get started we had to finish getting the lab ready to open it’s doors. We asked if he’d like to start after all the renovations were finished or if he’d like to help us with this. Jack chose the later and spent a month working with us pulling up flooring, painting and cleaning. By the time that was done, we were very grateful and he was itching to get on with some ‘real’ work.

Jack created an accurate scale model of the physical space.

The first project was the model and animate a virtual version of the lab. We set some parameters- it all had to be black and white and it had to fit a visual language we’d been developing for lab promotion.

The TV avatars float through the space as they engage with their mysterious research.

Jack completed a site survey of the physical space and then set to work modelling it. Jack explored the idea of avatars using analogue TVs that are in use in the physical space and used icons that represent the senses on the screens of these TVs as if the virtual members of the lab are conducting media research. Modelling in black and white with no grey that would help to show the form of objects was quite a challenge. Adding white lines to this of varying thicknesses just added to the complications.

Studio 2 is a flexible workspace. Jack showed the different ways that the space could be arranged with animation.

With each new challenge, we outlined the problem and asked Jack to find a way to tackle it. We were blown way by Jack’s ability to solve problems and his open mindedness and flexibility towards his work.

A fly through of the 18 alien models.

The alien models as part of 18 ALIENS at Beta X. Editing by Jonathan Fuilllet.

Creating rigging the aliens.

Using the rigging to create movement.

Jack gave each of the aliens a name.

Each of the aliens had it own style of movement to represent it’s personality.

The second project was 18 ALIENS. This project had a tighter time limit. Jack worked quickly to create and animate 3D models based on sprites created by Jonathan Fuillet. Each alien was rigged to ‘breathe’ as well as having its own movement system.

Both of these projects were in some degree, experimental in nature but as Jack’s confidence developed he began to take this kind of work in his stride.

We wish Jack the very best of luck for the future. If you have potential work opportunities for Jack, you can contact him here. We have internship, collaboration and co-working opportunities for other outstanding creatives. If you are a young creative with an impressive folio then get in touch.

KRIS TRIGG IS ALL TAPED UP

A Window to Reality #001: THE POP ARTIST was kicked off by Kris Trigg in a local disused shop. During the performance we managed to discuss the project with Kris…

THE INTERVIEW

The following interview was conducted between Kris and James Poole during the performance in Loughborough town centre.

“Having worked with Graff.io before I am familiar with their approach and outlook. I am always open to working on new projects and we share very similar views on being open minded and progressive.”

— KRIS TRIGG

When you got asked by Graffio Arts to be part of the project, what were your immediate thoughts?

Having worked with Graff.io before I am familiar with their approach and outlook. I am always open to working on new projects and we share very similar views on being open minded and progressive.

How do you approach a project like this?

Not to think too much about the space so I have no preconceptions. I had a vague idea that I wanted the content to be loosely based on a building that had a connection to Loughborough but apart from that I like the anticipation and the challenge.

How did you decide on the artwork for the performance?

As before loosely based on a local building. I knew that I would start off with a strip of yellow but apart from those two elements I wanted to space it would sit in to have some influence on what was produced on the day.

How did you feel that it went on the day? 

Loved it. I felt very calm and happy to just let it happen. I enjoyed the bigger space around the board / canvas and this allowed me to engage with the process of producing and also to see the piece entirely from different viewpoints.  I also enjoyed the pressure of producing in front of an audience as I am normally quite reserved.

TAYLER FISHER'S SENSORY OVERLOAD AESTHETIC

A Window to Reality #003 was from Taylor Fisher from Modern Painters, New Decorators. His dub infused, mixed media install was completed in Jan 2020 at our Canal House studio as part of AR City: A window to reality. We executing six in total from a local artists. We record the performance, it can then be re-watched again in Augmented reality, and using the Graff.io Arts AR app. The following interview was conducted between Taylor Fisher and Andy Harper from Graff.io Arts. Check the interview on Graff.io Arts: https://graff.io/blogs/ar-city/

A Window to Reality #003 featured Tayler Fisher with a dub infused, mixed media performance. After the performance we sat down to discuss the project…

THE INTERVIEW

How do you feel about the project so far? 

It's good. Different. It's good for me as well. I recently joined with new studio space & my work has changed a lot since I've been there over a few months.

I've developed a lot - but now I feel like I'm at a point here where I know what it is, I know what the language of it is.  So it's good to have the challenge of doing something different.  I've now got to apply what I've been figuring out so far...

I've heard you work with soundscapes & music? ( ~2.45 mins )

Sound has always been a big element there. For me it's working on these things its never just one things, there's always the influence of all the stuff around it- it's never just the painting or sculpture. So In the past - working for my degree show, I was messing on the side.

Do you start with the sound first or the visual art first? ( ~3:40 mins ) 

I think it depends what it is - a lot of the time I'm visually based - that might give me an idea to do a sound thing - once I've got into that realm of the soundscapes- then the sounds start themselves. To add to what I was saying - it's all about building the bigger world around the work - bigger soundscape and a bigger landscape. it's not just about the figures or the subject that's are in the work - it's about the bigger world that's been put across.

Tell us about your new studio space? (~1min)

I'm at Modern painters, New Decorators - it's in ( Loughborough ) town They've setup a gallery space and now there's studio space upstairs.

You mentioned that your studio has changed your practice, what do you think has happened since you've started there? ( ~1.5 min )

I thought I was working one way during my degree - for a long while.  I felt that my work started to become a bit stagnant and didn't have the best studio setup - as a result my practice slowed down a little bit. So then when it came to sorting out a studio space with MPND - it became a good opportunity to try out these new ideas I've had floating around in my sketchbook.  But the biggest thing has been colour. I've not really used much colour in the past - and now its all really deliberately contrasting colours. Trying to channel this really borderline - sensory overload aesthetic. 

So you've got 4 hours to do an installation right here - you've got limited time - how do you feel about the space or time constraints? ( ~5mins )

Initially I was worried - because working with paint - you've got to think about drying times. Usually in the studio you've got big times between making things. I gave it some thought and in my studio. A lot of the time I'm working on paper, sometimes I work straight onto the canvas. I think I'm going to approach this - making different elements and bringing it all together.

Is there an element of free-styling or improvisation? Or do you know exactly what you're going to do on the day? ( ~5.45 mins )

Usually I'll have sketched and plans and sometimes those are looser than others. I got into the work knowing roughly what I'm going to do. So I might get some stencils made for it or I might get some source imagery ready. But once the work is ready to be made.

Does music always accompany you when you're working? ( ~6.5 mins )

I can't work in the quiet. In the studio I've got the record player setup. I've got some of my records there that I try not to chuck paint on! Party because i like the music, part of it is - silence is killer!

You're a traditional artist, how do you feel about the use of modern tech, in this case augmented reality to give the user the chance to rewatch the performance. How does that sit with you as a traditional artist? ( ~8mins )

A lot of the time I'm using a computer - photoshop - making edits of stuff, I've started making a lot of stencils of my work - I've been using a laser cuter to cut some complex stencils. There's an element of when the software it's a bit old - or the laser cutter changes the shape of things- theres some small nuances to it.

I'm always including more digital / tech stuff into the work, that feeds into it. We've talked about sound already..... Especially when we're talking about AR - involving the viewing - that sort of thing - I think in times like today, where mobile phones are at the end of everyones arm - Constantly - Instagram is way more important than it's ever been. Sometimes it's difficult to get the everyday person that isn't usually interested art - sometimes difficult to bridge that gap. But if you can almost approach them on their turf - So if they see something like this, they know they've got their phone, they know they can engage with it, gives them a reason to look at it and interact with it.

That's one of the concepts for AWTR - it presents artwork on the streets & high street and we're trying to get involvement from people that aren't usually interested in art. Everyone is using the tech nowadays - so for anyone to pick up a phone and interact with the art is interesting. in terms of the performance- do you think you're going to be treating it differently from a normal piece? (10 mins )

Usually - I'd just show the finished thing. Usually performance isn't really an important part of my practice. I've thought of the way that I work in my studio and how I could apply that as a visual element. A lot of the time when I'm painting I'm using printing techniques & using other bits of paper - which I'll then add to the canvas on the board. So, in this project, it turns what is usually only seen in a private studio / work in progress into something that people can engage with... So yeah, it should work.

Window to reality, using empty shops on hight street, to give artists the opportunity to display their work publicly, in an effort to show something different - any comments ( ~12 min )

I've never known Loughborough to have so so many empty units. Which, is a shame. I think a lot of that is a symptom of the times we're in. A lit of the time, people are held behind super high fees that landlords want to charge - because for the longest time, they could charge them.

I makes it hard for anyone to jump in, open a small shop. Obviously as this project shows, it offers up an opportunity to do something with those spaces. It's nice that you can use a town centre in a different way. Doesn't have to just be about reality or shopping .

In one sense, it's a shame that there's a lot of empty shop fronts, in another - it could be an opportunity - it could be good thing - as the project is trying to do.

if your work could say something to someone that isn't familiar with the arts, what would you like it to say? ( 13.20 mins )

A lot of the time - my work is trying to take current, personal things & extrapolating.... a lot of the time it's commenting on some of these things that I've mentioned - like empty shop fronts being a symptom of the time. Sometimes my work is trying to be a confrontation to these things - or a way for me to personally work these things out.

https://taylerfisher.com/

“Out of that, these soundscapes started to emerge.  I though it could be a good accompaniment to the other work I was making and that turned into a bigger thing...”

— Tayler Fisher

AGATA TOMASZEK GETS TO THE CORE OF THINGS

Agata is a graphic design undergraduate at DMU and ex intern at Graffio Arts. Agata has been developing her typography practice and married it with Art Nouveau for an unlikely performance at our studio for the final part of A Window to Reality. 

THE INTERVIEW

Agata was interview by Graffio Arts in January 2020.

Thank you for your performance: A Window to Reality #006

Thank you very much for the opportunity - it was a great experience and something completely new to me. So it was really great to take part in this project.

Can you tell us about the thinking behind what you've just done?

I study graphic design and behind design I am also interested in architecture. Modernism is one of those movements that I really admire. Because of the form, the structure and all of those very strict principles and rules that are applied to all of those projects. But recently I also got really attracted to Art Nouveau. It's the opposite really the form is really fluid, organic. It's focused really on the ornaments, the decorations. In this case "decoration" became the key word for the whole project. So you could also call it "de-coration" - so getting rid of everything that is core (the rules and the principles)  and leaving only the visual elements.

You've got CORE at the centre and you've ignored the core? ( ~ 2 mins )

Exactly. I've kind of built a frame around it and it also is linked with Art Nouveau. The tiles that were very popular to use in that movement. So it's ignoring the core and building the decoration all around it.

Brilliant. You're a Graphic Designer- have you ever done anything like this before? ( ~2.20 mins )

No it was completely new thing and a huge challenge!  As a graphic designer I am used to working with a computer so it takes a quite a bit of time to prepare a piece. in this case - designing a typeface, working on the composition & the context - so the challenge was to perform everything and bring it all to life.

We've given you a four hour window. How did you approach the performance? How much of your work was pre-prepared and how much was improvised? ( ~3mins )

It was mostly pre-prepared. Because it's not art- it's mostly design - so it has to be planned to look good. However, there was a lot of improvising- as it was my first experience, I wasn't sure what to expect. So it was hard to imagine it in a big scale on a wall. So I would call it pre-prepared work but also a bit of improvising.

Have you ever used augmented reality or come across it before?

I have heard about it, seen some examples but never worked with it. I think it's a great way to engage the audience and get people interested in what we do - in this case typography.

Can you see any interesting uses within graphic design for augmented reality? ( ~4.30 mins )

I guess it's kind of a new technology - it's obvious that designers use animation to make their work more dynamic. I think AR or mixed realities are a way to create an interaction between the viewer and the design. It's a completely different approach & hopefully I'll be able to use it more in the future as a way of designing things.

It's immersive and it also allows sounds & motion to be included which adds to the immersive experience. We are trying to understand how much of a lifespan these techs will have - how long do you think AR and XR will be around for? ( ~ 5.30 mins )

It's really hard to predict. It's a way to go because nowadays we live in the spirit of zero waste, and being ecological. I think it's a way of performing arts that doesn't harm the environment - you can duplicate it as much as you want and it's accessible through different channels. Also we are surrounded by technology - so we crave new experiences more and more. So it's also a way of surprising and even shocking people, in the way that the arts can do. I think there's a big future for this movement.

We've talked about so many use cases - children are growing up where tech is just part of everyday life. People are almost expecting some of these extended realities now. So some of the thinking we are putting into using these technologies is to do it in an ethical way, a wholesome way that adds an extra level that adds to art and design that is good and doesn't detriment the person that's using it.

You've now done this very interesting performance, it's going to be live on the high street and anyone can download our Graff.io Arts AR app, and trigger your performance in augmented reality.

What would you like your work to say to someone that is seeing it for the first time? ( ~ 7.30 mins ) 

I'm not sure what I would like it to say but for sure, I hope it's something that will catch peoples attention. Because typography is a thing that is not very popular - it's something that surrounds us everywhere but we don't notice it - especially as art. So I hope that it's going to change the perspective that people perceive typography and I hope that they're going to enjoy it.

Another part of the project is to help repurpose the empty shops on the high street. I don't know if you have any thoughts on the empty shop situation - whether the arts could help or improve or enhance that in any way? ( ~ 8.30 mins )

I think that reason the high street is getting empty is that the popularity of web. People prefer to shop online because this way they avoid the possibly of not finding what they need or being able to compare prices. So it seems like online shopping provides better user experience. However bringing art to the streets I think it would encourage people to get out more and experience things as a community, together. To give them something to talk about, and it's something that this online community is not able to provide for them. Besides that I also think that art is one of those few things that is able to bring people together, so I think it's an awesome idea!

It's interesting, some what you're talking about are the way that many people are seeing the evolution of cities and towns. That they are becoming a place for humans to interact and have human experiences. To get away from digital communities and have real communities. It's experiential, the idea of coming into a town centre and having experiences now, real physical experiences, is important. What would you like a town centre to become ? ( ~10mins )

I think the most important thing is to make it sociable. if you go out you're going to meet people and interact with them - so we don't perceive each other as strangers. It would just be nice to have a good experience together. Not just walking around because we have to - it should be a pleasurable experience.


Within that pleasurable experience, what is art, what do you think create that experience - it is pleasurable to create, or to view or both? ( ~ 11 mins )

I think it's both creating and experiencing. For sure it's important to the environment to influence our mood. But also it gives us a reason to go out and to know that you can expect to see things that inspires you - or it gives you a topic to discuss with other people. So I think it's not only what you see but how you interact with it.

For sure. Then the idea of building on previous generations, taking what we've learned and doing the next thing. Then the idea of the generations coming along and seeing that these things are possible - maybe becoming inspired that maybe a child could maybe take your work in and that might trigger them to look at Art Nouveaux, or graphic design and they might even look at going to university? ( ~ 12 mins )

That would be amazing! I hope that it inspires people, if not it's just an interesting thing to look at - to bring the life back to the streets.


Maybe the arts could do that, who knows? It certainly seems to form a richer experience for humanity. There's another aspect to the arts - can art be good for health and wellbeing, it's it just the act of creating art or design, or could it be the act of experiencing as well?

I think experiencing as well, because that's the reason to slow down. Slowing down is something that we really really need in our lives right now. If you walk down the street and you just stop to look at something, and it can bring you some other thoughts or references, and I think that is a great purpose of art, the experience that it brings you.

“ In this case “decoration” became the key word for the whole project. So you could also call it “de-coration” - so getting rid of everything that is core (the rules and the principles) and leaving only the visual elements.”

— AGATA TOMASZEK

002 THE GRAFFITI ARTIST'S PERFORMANCE

Leigh Drummond, aka Mono’s performance comprised of completing a multi-layered Blade Runner inspired mural in spray paint at our Canal House studio. See how it went below…

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE GRAFFITI WRITER

“ I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.”

— Roy Batty [Bladerunner, 1982]

005 THE DOODLER'S PERFORMANCE

Liam Proudman, ex DMU Fine Art student and ex intern from Graffio Arts.  His tea-fueled, freestyle doodle performance was completed at our Canal House studio. See how it went below…

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE DOODLER

“It was a strange sort of sensation, really. Odd really as I’m really used to people watching me draw. Maybe there’s a pressure surrounding it that brings that feeling out.”

003 THE MIXED MEDIA ARTIST'S PERFORMANCE

Tayler Fisher’s dub infused, mixed media performance was completed in Jan 2020 at our Canal House studio. See how it went below…

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE MIXED MEDIA ARTIST

“Out of that, these soundscapes started to emerge.  I though it could be a good accompaniment to the other work I was making and that turned into a bigger thing...”

004 THE SCULPTOR'S PERFORMANCE

Jay Clarke’s performance was brief but explosive and when it kicked off, we ran for cover. See what happened below…

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE SCULPTOR’S PERFORMANCE