ALEXANDRA OLIVER
Fine Artist
Art Documentation
Development originally began with the process of observing crystalline structures -in the chemistry labs, growing my own crystals and observing them under the microscope. The Optical Microscope produced the best results, allowing me to change the polarity of the images, thus changing the colours and manipulating the source. For scientific observation, the polarised filter allows the layers of the crystal to become apparent, thus creating the idea of a three dimensional form, even though the image itself appears one dimensional.
How I presented the first few images posed an interesting possibility for my work – the circular frame of the patterns gives the appearance of planets, bringing a dimension of scale into the work. How something so small can be compared to something so large, emphasising the vastness of the universe. I explored some interesting artists who worked around this such as Katie Paterson, Grace weir, and Melvin Moti.
Digital Crystal Study (2016)
Digital Crystal Study (2016)
During one of my visits to the labs I found that I could make videos with the crystal images, alters focus and colour, giving the illusion of movement – I compiled these together in a video and projected it onto a canvas. The images themselves have the appearance of paintings and so by projecting onto a canvas I wanted to give the impression of a moving painting like Jacco Olivier.
During one of my visits to the labs I found that I could make videos with the crystal images, alters focus and colour, giving the illusion of movement – I compiled these together in a video and projected it onto a canvas. The images themselves have the appearance of paintings and so by projecting onto a canvas I wanted to give the impression of a moving painting like Jacco Olivier.
During one of my visits to the labs I found that I could make videos with the crystal images, alters focus and colour, giving the illusion of movement – I compiled these together in a video and projected it onto a canvas. The images themselves have the appearance of paintings and so by projecting onto a canvas I wanted to give the impression of a moving painting like Jacco Olivier.
During one of my visits to the labs I found that I could make videos with the crystal images, alters focus and colour, giving the illusion of movement – I compiled these together in a video and projected it onto a canvas. The images themselves have the appearance of paintings and so by projecting onto a canvas I wanted to give the impression of a moving painting like Jacco Olivier.
I exhibited my video in a sustainability conference in the Parkinson Building at Leeds University, presenting alongside it a written essay on the sustainability of crystals.
I exhibited my video in a sustainability conference in the Parkinson Building at Leeds University, presenting alongside it a written essay on the sustainability of crystals.
CRYSTALS & SUSTAINABILITY ESSAY
Experimentations with other media - paintings and a crystal mobile
Kaleidoscope Crystals (2017)
An experimentation using crystal videos I had collected, developing skills on film/video software. I moulded the visual effects to a sound track that I found. I later realised this didn't produce best effects, the video looked like a music video, it was following the beat of the music. The music was't tailored to the visuals.
Developed an interest in installation, I wanted to present the videos I had created in a visually captivating way. I achieved this by taking a candle holder with pieces of fractured glass and projecting my videos onto them. This resulted in an installation that surrounded the viewer, reflecting the video all over the room in a fractured mirror effect. This was visually exciting and interesting, it created an atmosphere.
I also placed a glass of water in front of the projected and the results were equally interesting.
Developed an interest in installation, I wanted to present the videos I had created in a visually captivating way. I achieved this by taking a candle holder with pieces of fractured glass and projecting my videos onto them. This resulted in an installation that surrounded the viewer, reflecting the video all over the room in a fractured mirror effect. This was visually exciting and interesting, it created an atmosphere.
I also placed a glass of water in front of the projected and the results were equally interesting.
Descent to Ragnarök (2017)
A continuation of my video work. Instead of picking a backing track, I made the music - prefering natural sounds to the electronic music I played in my earlier video.
Latest development with these crystal images, using digital software to manipulate them and see what effects I can create
Latest development with these crystal images, using digital software to manipulate them and see what effects I can create
Taking this project further I want to start producing physical pieces of art with the prints that I have created. make them sculptural.The images look like windows, allowing the viewer to pear into another dimension. I want to develop this idea with a sculptural piece.
Ideas- creating a peep hole like installation. The viewer has to physically look through a tiny hole to see the crystal - that is all they can see.
As a side project, I continued my visits to the chemistry labs and became interested in growing crystals on natural object, like plants and flowers.
I photographed before and after of the project and selected my favourite. They appear very delicate.