Projects

''EXQUISITELY UNIQUE''

A collaborative art project curated by Ursula Cranmer
Installed at "How:Diversity:Works" (with Diversityworks Trust), at Artstation, Parnell, Auckland
17 August to 3 September 2011

LINK to the ONLINE EXHIBITION ARCHIVE: http://www.diversityworks.org.nz/how-diversity-works/



Exquisitely Unique is an open-ended collaborative project, crossing several creative media and processes. This project explores the idea that diversity exists in all people, in all places, at all times. The collaboratively created body images amassed over a time frame of a few months, become an allegory for individuality and a celebration of diversity. The final installation is a visual statement symbolising this process.

The Exquisite Beings:
Based on the idea of the 19th century parlour game, "Exquisite Corpse" - each collaborator contributed by adding to a composition in sequence. The process began with a ¼ strip of an A4 piece of paper/card. Participants of all ages, abilities and all walks of life were invited to draw one of the four separate segments of the human body, using simple materials, over the period of a few months. The signed strips were grouped and assembled into 18 very unique ‘exquisite beings’. These were attached to stretched net in a black frame and installed as a suspended artwork to be viewed from both sides.


The Social Process:
Slide show on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ursulaartist/sets/72157629021895445/show/

The changing photographs on the digital frame, document the project as it unfolded. The images capture moments of fun, fellowship, laughter, concentration, shared creativity, personal breakthroughs, and interactions. This social aspect fed into the project adding a networking dimension between the diverse participants. Strangers became friends around dining room tables; those who doubted their skills, discovered latent talents; the game evolved into art therapy sessions; children pushed the limits and enjoyed themselves; and weary adults were rejuvenated as they remembered the creative and uninhibited child within...

Media release: http://www.diversityworks.org.nz/news/media-release-exhibition-successful-beyond-belief/

''OPEN ENDED CONVERSATION''

Works made and collected on site/in response to site - Mt Brame quarry
Installed at Collaborations; Estuary Art Centre, October 2010


Ursula Cranmer, Sue Hill, and Karleen Winters have been exhibiting together for seven years; as a collective of individual artists, and also as collaborative partners. The momentum gained from time spent working together, often spills over into their individual art practices.

This work was a contribution for the exhibition 'Collaboration' - an installation created in response to a one-off photographic workshop at the disused Mt Brame quarry. In the past, this quarry supplied metal (gravel) for roads. Through the many roads it served to construct, the quarry effectively facilitated growth - in social and economic developments, local communication, and community networks. In a similar fashion, the artists' workshop held at this historical location, motivated the personal expansion of their collective philosophies by pushing the artists forward, along new pathways of creative thought and expression.

The gallery installation was a condensed 'freeze-frame', reflecting the time period spent on site - documented through the lenses of each individual artist; both as a personal interaction, and as a visual conversation between the group and this landmark. The collected memorabilia operate as 'ready-mades', telling their own stories. Selected pieces of gravel were collected from the site, signed by the artists and packaged in gift bags for sale.


The curating was done in situ, with minimal guidelines as a starting point. All three artists ad lib - working in unison, until the objects were arranged in a satisfactory fashion. Photographs taken during the installation process were included as a slide show on a digital screen. This added a further visual dynamic to the 'conversation', demonstrating the perpetual catalytic effects of the groups' collaborations.

And so the conversation continues....

''Assemblage:Construction:Wall Sculpture''

Title: "Outside the Square"
For Rodney District Art Award Exhibition: 'Treasures of Rodney', 2010



A selection of square wooden frames and a dated ornament shelf-unit were sourced from second-hand shops around the Rodney District. These were reconstructed into an asymmetrical wall sculpture. The recycled architectural piece is decorative as well as functional. The shelf spaces remain empty, but invite the future addition of treasured objects. Photographs set in the small glass frames are random images taken around the Rodney District and then transfomed in Photoshop to enhance the jewel-like colours.

"Outside the Square" is a postmodern work in a quasi-'Bauhaus-Rococo' style, that reflects Place & Time. It remains in the artists' collection.

''SENSATIONAL ART: PLEASE TOUCH!''

An interactive installation at Estuary Art Centre, Orewa
6th – 30th Nov 2008

Ursula Cranmer was the project coordinator for this community art exhibition, as well as a participating artist. Viewers were encouraged to interact with the installation through sight, touch and sound.

Collaboratively designed and created by a group of Rodney artists and parents from the Motuora Special-Needs Awareness group (Red Beach School), "Sensational Art" provided a sensory exhibition that encouraged people from all age groups, ethnic groups and disability groups to participate in a stimulating gallery experience.

At the conclusion of the exhibition, the constructions were donated to the Motuora Special Needs Unit at Red Beach School. The installation was funded by a Creative Communities Grant and supported by donations of materials from numerous local businesses.

''ROCK & ROLL; PIANO-PAINTING IMPROVISATION''

A happening event for the opening (and duration) of Rock & Roll: Estuary Art Centre, August 2008

A disused, weather-ruined piano was positioned on a plastic floor sheet in the centre of the gallery; cleaned and primed. At the opening event for the exhibition, accompanied by Rock & Roll music, guests were presented with this blank substrate and given access to paints, brushes and sponges. The artwork evolved as the evening wore on and each contributor added their personal marks, images, symbols, and messages. Over the month of the exhibition, various groups continued to visit and participate, adding to this dynamic 'canvas'.

The finished artwork is in a private collection.