MICHAELA NETTELL - PLAYING WITH LIGHT

PLAYING WITH LIGHT, 2007, 10-day moving image workshop and exhibition

I wrote, led and assessed the following workshop for 16 undergraduate and postgraduate students at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India. The workshop culminated in a two-day exhibition in the college grounds.

PLAYING WITH LIGHT

How can light and shadow transform an image of reality into something abstract, otherworldly or mysterious?

During this two-week workshop students will be invited to generate spontaneous (under-the-camera) moving image sequences using still and dynamic 35mm slides, simple handmade mobiles and organic materials such as chalk, water and glass. As they experiment with these materials and processes, students will explore the expressive and affective potential of reflection and projection techniques.

WEEK ONE

Students will be invited to an introductory seminar in which work of artists such as Helen Maurer, Chris Welsby, James Melchert and Rebecca Horn will be viewed and discussed. Students will consider how these artists use and manipulate projected light, reflections and projections to make expressive and evocative statements.

Working in groups, students will combine translucent or semi-transparent materials with oil and water to create dynamic 35mm slides. The resulting projections will be captured on digital video and used to draw from. Using textures and patterns from their drawings, students will then create abstract, cardboard mobiles that will be suspended, illuminated and captured on digital video.
Using existing 35mm slides, students will investigate other projection techniques and surfaces - projecting onto water, or through glass; superimposing two or more projected images etc. All projection experiments will be captured on digital video.

At the end of Week 1 there will be a group critique of the work generated so far. Students will view, manipulate and edit the captured footage into short sequences and decisions will be made as to how projects will be developed in Week Two.

WEEK TWO

Using any combination of techniques explored in or inspired by Week 1, students will produce a short film (maximum 60seconds). Students may choose to work to a pre-recorded soundtrack, to generate their own sound effects or to work without sound. Students will curate an exhibition of their films at the end of Week 2. Ideally work should be exhibited as digital projections rather than on monitors or screens. Students will be asked to consider the effect of the surfaces and spaces they choose to project on and into.