Red Letters, Read Letters - Red Hot Chili Peppers

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

For my second phrase I took inspiration from the American Funk Rock band 'Red Hot Chili Peppers'.

Red Hot 'Chilly' Peppers

I think that the experiments above are way to over the top, despite it being a fun idea. From this I decided that I wanted to shape the bands name into the pepper shape. 

Below I experimented with replacing the seeds of the pepper with the name of the band. However, after  just one letter, I decided that this idea was not strong enough.

 Then I tried putting the words into the pepper shape. This was a lot more effective and after the initial positioning of the text I was then able to experiment with colour. I tried not only the typical, recognisable red colour but also more bright and clashing colours to reflect the style of writing.

I experimented with colours. My favourite logo was the Red and White pepper, I liked the simplicity of it.

From this I decided to start using the logo in possible merchandise for the band.

At first I decided to use cover most of the front of the shirt with the logo however after reflection I felt it worked best as a smaller accent logo. Also, as someone who buys their merchandise, I decided that I would be more likely to wear the shirts with the smaller logos. If I was to take this idea any further I would try actually printing the logo onto  a real t-shirt.

From this point I chose to create an album cover for the band. I used the exact text from the pepper however put it into a sentence. This created a really fun and quirky effect. As I am very pleased with the pepper logo, I decided to emphasise this even more by putting the song titles around the shape of the pepper. 

I love how the album is very simple in terms of composition and colour yet it is kept so impacting. 

Red Letters, Read Letters - Caught Red Handed

CAUGHT RED HANDED

When thinking of potential outcomes for the phrase 'Caught Red Handed' I noticed that I was coming up with very obvious ideas that I ad probably seen before. This is where my idea to create a film poster came from.

Once I had decided on creating an exciting film poster, I looked at the work of Saul Bass.

The arranging of text in my composition was annoying me so I decided to play around with it some more. Here are some experiments I tried out.

SEE SKETCHBOOK FOR FINAL PIECE

Red Letters, Read Letters -Paint the Town Red

PAINT THE TOWN RED

Another idea I had for the 'Red Letters, Read Letters' topic was to do an instillation piece for the phrase 'Paint the Town Red'. I wanted to create a piece that consisted of White 3D letters on a wall (spelling out 'Paint the Town Red') and have a red paint or ink dripping from the ceiling; almost like a dripping tap.

I began contemplating creating 3D letters out of piled together and then carved foam board. However I did not have time or enough resources to progress this idea any further.

Red Letters, Read Letters - Red Light District

The first phrase I decided to experiment with was 'Red Light District'. As I have recently been to Amsterdam and seen their Red Light District for myself, I felt that this gave me a good start to the phrase. After looking at different ways I could combine the phrase with the Red Light District theme, I decided on the grid like style below.

To give the black and white images this cartoon-style effect (below) I used the ???? tool on Photoshop and played around with the scales until I was happy with the effect. I think that this style has certainly improved the composition as it helps the letters become a part of the piece rather than a separate layers.

After reflecting on these experiments I decided that I liked the ...... effect as it suggests the type of state that people are in when they visit the Red Light District. It also emphasises the overwhelming atmosphere of the place itself. Some of the letters fit perfectly in a window or in the middle of the road in the photographs behind; I think this would be effective if done to all the letters. What dramatically stood out to me was the thinner pictures behind the second 'i' and the 'c'. Also, I felt like the red letters could be made to look more set in the images than just being placed on top; perhaps by adding shadows or layering them into the images (i.e. the windows).

The Final Piece

Below is the final outcome for the grid-like Red Light District design. I moved around the images and re-arranged and edited the letters to try and create a more clean and sophisticated look. I think this was effective as the letters stand out much more against the busy backgrounds. Also the introduction to shadows behind the letters has also helped them stand out whilst having the grey shadows tie them in nicely with the photographs behind. 

I think that the last 'c' and photograph work really well together. The extensive curve of the top of the letter draws the viewers eye to the woman in the doorway. Also, the last letter has a very effective composition as the 't' takes up the whole of one of the empty, middle window frame. This emphasises the red light in the building as well as the positioning of the women.

Red Letters, Read Letters - Creating my alphabet

I began by gathering recognisable brands/logos that use the colour red.

After circling the letters I wanted to use in my alphabet I found that there were a few that I hadn't found; J, Q, Y and Z. After further searching I found these (below).

Now I had decided on all the letters for my alphabet I put them onto a Photoshop document so that I could see them clearly.

I didn't like how some off the letters had red shapes around them with white letters, this contrasted with the other letters and became too distracting. I used Photoshop to make sure each letter was red and with no background (below). I think this makes a big difference to the way one reads the letters as it is a more consistent style.

Once I had my final set of letters I began thinking of phrases to do with the colour red; caught red handed, red in the face, red flag, paint the town red, see red, red sky at night, shepherds delight, red light district, red hot and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

With my five favourite phrases, I began drawing out ideas that I could use in order to present them (see sketchbook). I found, that I was becoming increasingly fond of the less obvious representations of my chosen phrases. 

Pierre Huyghe Exhibition

Moniker Art Fair

MONIKER ART FAIR

I was lucky enough to be able to see the Moniker Art Fair just around the corner from Brick Lane. I was instantly inspired as I began walking around the fair.

What I enjoyed most about my experience at the Art Fair was the fact that the artists were there to discuss their work with their audience. Below shows the first artist I saw when walking into the Art Fair, he was using tape and a cutting knife to create these striking monochrome images. I particularly liked how he demonstrated how he creates these pieces, giving the viewer a greater understanding of his body of work.

Below are some examples of work that I liked from the fair.

I saw a lot of Distorted Disney characters whilst walking around.  It was odd seeing these iconic characters being portrayed in different lights; I found this was usually negatively portrayed.

Flight Workshop

FLIGHT WORKSHOP

This was a one day workshop where our task for the day was to make something to do with flight. This could be making something that flies, designing something that might one day fly, making up a type of flight etc. We split of into groups and began coming up with different ideas. The group I was in, decided on photographing ourselves in flight. We decided that we wanted to print the photographs life-size and hang them around the college.

- (Above) photographs of us attempting to look as though we are in flight

- (Below) a snapshot of a slow-mo video 

After attempting to print these photographs life-size, it was becoming impractical and too time consuming. This is where we had the idea to use the same idea but in smaller form.

FINAL OUTCOMES

We were really pleased with out final outcomes as they portrayed flight in a fun and eye-catching way. We attached some clear string at each end of the photograph so that we had more control over how the photographs would come out. We left the photograph hanging by a piece of string under the hand dryer in the girls bathroom so that, when someone went over, it would fly with the wind from the machine.

Machines for Living

This project explored the idea of 'Machines for Living'. I was instantly drawn to looking at how women are machines. It began by thinking of pregnancy and motherhood and the changes that a women has to endure. However my idea later developed into the 1950s housewives being machines. 

FINAL PIECES

Below is my final piece (top) and an example of how I would have it displayed if I were to show it in an exhibition (bottom)

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