Term 3: Mirror Layout

I have been thinking about how I want to lay out my pieces. I plan to glue-gun hooks to the back, and then use nails to hang them on the wall. I want to try and provide a range of heights for the pieces, as this will allow both the tall and the short access to line up their eyes with the eyes of the monkeys.

I have just used empty circles and squares as representations of the pieces.

Layout 1

Layout 2

Layouts 1 and 2 show sloping ascending and descending alternating shapes. This would provide an eye-level for a variety of heights, whilst also encouraging people to stretch a bit higher or bend down lower in order to see the pieces not at their exact height.

Layout 3

Layout 3 also provides for a number of heights – this time in a straight vertical line and alternating between round and square mirrors.

On making these layouts, I realised that one of my square mirrors doesn’t have rounded corners, whereas all the others do. Unfortunately, it is one of my favourite pieces and so I definitely want to choose it as one of my displayed pieces. This has made me consider a different layout which will incorporate the ‘odd’ mirror.

Layout 4

This square grid layout provides some height difference over three rows, but it allows me to place the ‘pointy corner’ mirror in the middle as the focus piece, and work the other matching mirrors around it.

David Fitzjohn suggested I speak to Alan the ‘tech guy’ as he has a method of hanging pieces which would allow my mirrors to stand just proud of the wall – sort of floating – as well as being more securely attached so they aren’t able to be lifted off.

Term 3: More Mirror Monkeys

Over Easter, I have been continuing to produce paintings of monkeys on mirrors. I have tried to portray a selection of monkeys with various metal instruments and bars penetrating their faces or confining them. I started by trying to portray realistic devices used to keep the animals in place. However, I decided that a realistic portrayal wasn’t necessary; these tests are pointless and immoral, therefore the portrayal of such implements might as well also be pointless and unnecessary.

I intended the mirrors to be uniform in shape and size. However, availability of mirrors was a problem and I now have two different style; square and round. I shall experiment with different layout patterns.