Studio+Project+9

SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

Description
This is a series of three works, which is intended to show the development of civilization through architecture styles in Egypt. In all three piece the Nile is present, as an important symbol of Egyptian cities, and the lifeline that has supported life in the area since Pharonic times. The first piece shows Ancient Egyptian and Pharonic architectural styles, the second Neo-Mameluke, Fatimid, and several designs based on some of Hassan Fathy's work which I had previously researched, while the third shows European architecture.

What were the artistic and/or cultural influences for this project? Who/what influenced either the composition and/or the style.
The works were influenced by two important things. Firstly they were inspired by late 19th and early 20th century travel posters in Egypt, which often showed the Nile, with compositions of miscellaneous buildings in the background.The decision to use watercolors, came from the idea of imitating the style of artist Hidayet Chiraz, though this is largely unapparent.

What materials/media/processes did you use and or experiment with, and how?
I originally wanted to use gouache paints, to get a darker and more solid, powerful palette of colors, but in the end I switched back to watercolors, to try to advance myself with them as I had not often worked with them to create studio pieces. I had experimented with watercolors in my trials though.

weaknesses/areas for improvement in the piece
There are not enough details in the buildings and structures, and they way in which they are composed or the layout of each piece is different meaning that to some extent there is a lack of continuation, changing that would emphasize how they are all a series. The Nile should also be a straight line continuing through all three pieces. The boats in the second two pieces are virtually identical, not creating enough of a difference. In the first piece, the boat is drawn weakly, though it is correct to the style.

strengths of the piece
I felt that there was good use of tone and color, while in previous 2D style pieces I had used only solid blocks of colors, here giving some tone and unevenness in the coloring, produced a textured effect.

What could you take through to the next project and develop further? This could be anything, from a technique to an idea, not necessarily just the theme?
The theme of displaying the progression of architecture in Egypt, in what is a visual timeline of its history, is extremely interesting. Also the use of the Nile as a distinctive symbol of Egypt.