Cross-fire series

Cross-fire cutlery detail from Studio Mrmann on Vimeo.

Cross-fire

Natural Occurrence series
Mix media
2010
The focus of the Past, Present & Future Craft Practice commission was to examine the intangible characteristic of the spoken word and investigate the unseen affect of sound upon its inhabited environment.

The project centralizes around the context of a domestic argument. In this case the event sample an audio excerpt from the 1999 Sam Mendes film American Beauty. The slow building dialogue between the three central characters family dinner climaxes with a sound clash of emotions. The cross-fire of the argument traverses the dinning table but where previously the inanimate everyday objects such as plates, cutlery, teapot etc were unable to express their character; the intensity of the conversation deforms their once static existence into objects of unseen familiarity.

The presented sound artifacts each encapsulate a momentary emotion of the argument.


WIP...

image courtesy of Jochen Holz
This is one of the first images I've seen of the wineglass from the Cross-Fire animation. The piece has come alive since interpreted in glass compared to the static nature of the resin prototype. I'm also currently writing the synopsis for the Cross-Fire series to be exhibited in March.
The focus of this project has never been the technology utilized instead the narrative and vision of the project. More recently the saturation of new digital technology within the applied art sector has created a 'smoke and mirrors' affect on the actual artifact. The 'grey' area as many describe this current in-between state of Art, Craft & Design perhaps needs to be solely grounded on the 'Why' rather the 'How'. I recently give a short interview regarding the current state of British glass and commented on how perhaps the strive to create optical perfection has taken experimentation as it's victim. Perhaps this is a controversial statement however one I feel needs to be seen as a challenge for the upcoming British Glass Biennale in August this year.


Cross-fire trailer 2



Cross-fire trailer 1



On The Move Exhibition edit

With the Christmas festivities coming to a close it's time to look towards 2010. In January I am honoured to be exhibiting alongside Muybridge, Marey and Jonathan Shaw to name but a few at The Estorick Collection in London. The exhibition titled On the Move will be showcasing the collections' Italian Futurist masterpieces. On show will be Flight takeoff in resin and porcelain.
Here is a link to a short discussion with the curator of the exhibition on Radio 4. (around 7 mins)
Below is a sneak preview of the final animation of Crossfire (no sound as I still want to an element of surprise)

video
I would just like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and and a very prosperous 2010...


The Danish Design School - Thankyou

Just back from Copenhagen and straight back into the studio. I just want to thank Flemming tvede Hensen for his invitation & hospitality over the last 3 days. Also it was great to randomly bumping into Di Mainstone again, she was holding a 2 week worshop in the CIID department within the design school.

So what's next? I'm in full production of the new Crossfire series with a virus YouTube sneak previews hopefully going live over the festive period.

Also I am currently weighing the possibilities of residences next year to allow for reflection of this new work and also possible new beginnings.

Also I am getting a number of emails asking where the Blown series can be purchased, unfortunately they are in limited numbers however if any companies are interested please contact me through enquiries@mrmann.co.uk


The Danish Design School OPEN LECTURE 9th Dec 9.30am


















This week I will be splitting my time between Aberdeen and Copenhagen. I will giving an Open Lecture to the students of the Danish Design School in Copenhagen on Wednesday the 9th Dec. I will focusing the lecture towards the new Crossfire series and examining possible deformers in the natural environment.

The image is of the wine glass from the aforementioned series. This was produced at Rapidform RCA and is made from SLA resin. The plan is to polish one section highlighting the deformation.

The HD version of the Crossfire animation is about 85% finished so hopefully I will be able to show highlights of this before the Christmas shutdown.



New contact address...

So due to an unmanageable amount of spam mail I have changed my contact details.
I will still be contactable on my previous email address but will be slowly migrating to just one address.
I would just like to thank De Monfort University for their great hospitality during their Digital Design (&) Art symposium on Monday.
Also the podcast of my 'In Conversation' event with Frances Priest at the Dovecot studios is now online. link


edit: The weirdness begins... + video

So I received the prototypes from DMC last night and have been frantically sanding and mending (thanks UPS) the pieces for presentation tomorrow. As this is the first time I have seen the pieces outwith a virtual environment it has taken me a few hours to create a relationship with them.

As these pieces are classed as 'sound artifacts' rather than an installation of the accompanying animation, I am keen to push for the full installation. The work will be transferred to their parent material which I think might will be harder than previous intagible to tangible pieces in the past.


video


Crossfire installation

image © Chris Labrooy

This is just a snap shot of the new HD animation titled 'Conflict' that I've finally finished. The work centers around a marital argument across a dinner table. As the discussion intensifies, the tableware begins to deform according to the sound-waves.

On Monday 16th November @ De Monfort University, Leicester I will be giving a lecture as part of the Digita Design & Art conference. I will be alongside Assa Ashuach, Annie Cattrell, Lionel T Dean to name but a few. For Further details please contact s.edwards@dmu.ac.uk or Digital Design & Art conference.


Further cross-fire tests...

image and video © Chris Labrooy
commissioned by PPFCP

This project is coming to it's final stages of development. The work has now raised new unexpected questions regarding the emotional power of the speech and how this effects the innocent tableware caught in the crossfire. The objects have all reacted in their own individual manner.

video



edit: Financial Times - How to Spend it article

Firstly I do apologise for the terrible scan of the article. This is a feature titled 'Look No hands' in the current Oct 17th edition of the Financial Times supplement How to Spend It, article link. Apart from the rather posed image of myself the article written my Emma Crichton-Miller has really caught the essence of my practice. For once the work has been viewed for the conceptual narrative rather than the digital explorations.

As there are no detail shots of the work in the article, the works displayed are as follows:

image © Douglas Walker

More press info regarding Attracted to Light, that piece always comes back even in its retirement, will be featured in the upcoming Design Week magazine. I believe Mike Eden is on the cover and is also featured in the FT article. It's a small world...


More scream...

image © Chris Labrooy

Just another couple of highlights from the upcoming crossfire tableware series. The scream sound is only for testing purposes but thank you for the emails enquiring about the availability of these prototypes.

video


MAD New York permanent collection

image © Stuart Johnstone

I am pleased to annouce MAD New York have included Blown cup & saucer as part of their permanent museum collection. I would like to thank David McFadden and will look forward to possible future collaborations with MAD.

Museum of Arts & Design
2 Columbus Cirlce
New York, NY
10019


image © Stuart Johnstone


Studioworks - Scream Plate

This is just a sample of the series of sound works I am currently working on. The aim is to create a snap-shot of the morning freud between a married couple.

The objects will not be functional in the traditional sense but will carry the aesthetic of well known tableware archetypes.



No Definition...

With the JCM prize finally finished and de-installed, I feel I can move on to a next stage of my practice. I had always approached this opportunity as a period of reflection for the work that had never been realized to it's potential. I also feel that the way the work was exhibited was a major success primarily due to the simplicity of each solution. The mounts simply disappeared into the plinths themselves allowing the work to standalone. The next question that keeps on arising is 'How do I define my-self?' I believe this will never be answered. After watching a short interview with Maarten Bass I was interested to hear how he does not describe his work in any specific area he simply, and very elegantly, just makes objects/designs of interest and discourse. Currently I feel this is how I am working. I never consider the avenue in which the work will be perceived so why should this a question that always arises? I'll simply leave this unanswered...

Also you can now listen again to the exhibition talk that happened at the Jerwood Space. I believe the Dovecot Studios 'In Conversation' will also be online within the next couple of weeks.

The sound pieces are coming on slowly with mixed feelings. Where I feel the concept is sound, bad pun, the end results are not refined enough. After discussing the concept of 'Studio works' (pieces that never see the light of day but just live in the studio) with a colleague I'm now interested in seeing if there is a potential for a very alternative exhibition, any takers?


Sound sketches...

videoA big thank you to everyone who attended Saturdays 'In Conversation' event at the Dovecot Studios. A podcast of the dialogue will be available soon.

I've posted two new animations of 'Cross-fire'. I'm really liking the the unexpected interventions the sounds are creating. I was asked during Saturdays event why I never exhibit the films as artworks, well perhaps it's time for a change with how craft objects are perceived within an exhibition environment. Are white walls the only option?

I've been receiving inquiries about the blown spoon I have previously featured on the website, well it is currently being cast so I will post images soon.

video


Edit: 'In Conversation' & Alfred thankyou...

On 19th September, I will be 'In Conversation' at the Dovecot Studios talking to Frances Priest discussing my practice and the work currently exhibited as part of the Jerwood Contemporary Makers, find more details here. The event is free however through are limited places.

I would like to take this oppertunity to thank everyone at Alfred University for their co-operation and hospitality during my visit last week. I will be posting more info regarding the workshop I held and a blog will be set-up asap to document the project I have set.
Next up is the finishing touches on the Past, Present, Future Craft Practice project and planning for the upcoming 'Solid Air' Installation. More to follow...


JCM 09 - Dovecot Studios

Here a link to a series of images taken by photographer Douglas Walker of the work currently exhibited at the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh.

Solid Air Installation link

On 19th September I will be taking part in a 'In Conversation' talk chaired by Frances Priest held within the Jerwood Contemporary Makers exhibition. This will be a lunchtime event starting @ 1.30pm with a Q&A session following. The focus of the discussion will be the application of technology and the context of my work. I would encourage everyone to attend this event and I will look forward to any questions.

Once again I will be crossing the Atlantic in September to give a lecture and workshop at Alfred University in New York State. I will be located in the Ceramic Art department. I will introducing the students to the term Trans-disciplinary design and will be using the Surreallist technique of the Exquisite corspe to define the notion of the astute generialist. I would like to thank Ezra Shales for the invitation.


Blown spoons & Crossfire...

I've been working on these spoons recently as a 'excuse' to start working with precious metals. Though the effect is simalar to the cups & saucer, which are still being exhibited @ MAD New York as part of the Object Factory II exhibit, I was interested to see how using a reflective material would work. They are getting cast next week so I'll post working images soon.

The next piece is something that has been in my head since DesignMai 2007 and a discussion with Lionel Dean of Future Factories. I raised the question of what would sound looks like or even how it affects the context it sits within. This work will be part of the PPFCP commision I am currently working on so I can only tease you with for now. The idea comes from direction sound rather than ambient. So if an object was caught in the 'crossfire' of an argument what would happen? Massive thanks to Chris Labrooy for working on this almost impossible project with me.
video


Jerwood Private View - Dovecot Studios...

I just want to thank everyone that managed to attend the opening night of the Jerwood Contemporary Makers Prize last night at the Dovecot Studios.

As you can see I'm not a big fan of getting my photo taken...


Web round-up & Jerwood...

With the Jerwood Contemporary Makers exhibition now installed @ the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh and The Studio opening it's doors for the festival, I now have a moment for reflection. The new studio is now complete and accommodates for both my digital and physical explorations. I'm currently at a cross-roads in my practice as I'm starting to question the 'use' of technology in creating form. 'Digital for digital sake' has been echoing around the four walls of my studio. Such techniques as RP and 3D scanning are only tools of the trade, they are not the only form of creative tool. This is becoming more apparent in the Craft sector where perhaps these new techniques are alien to many and present the endless possibilities that do not create instant innovation or success. As these are only thoughts at the moment I feel I need to formalise these for further dissemination.

More to follow...

NOCC: object of sound


Flight patterns from Charlie McCarthy on Vimeo.




Crafts Magazine Review - JCM

Thanks to Anna bates for a good review for the work presented a the Jerwood Space.

"Digital craftsman Geoffrey Mann is a good exemplar of this. The self-named product artist uses CAD modelling, cinematic stop-motion techniques and rapid prototyping to capture the shape of movement and turn it into a sculpture. Mann is already known for shaking things up, turning up at shows to unwrap pieces he’s never touched. He’s the cliché choice for anyone wanting to open a discussion on what ‘making’ is; his dabbling with ultra-modern processes and thirst for debate also brings some relevance – and even cool – to a show in need of both, so a good choice for laying down the show’s aims."

Full article link

I'm still not sure if I am a Digital Craftsman or even my own titled Product Artis, I starting to believe that you can simply be called a Contemporary Maker.

Also I'm a big fan of this quote by Rebecca Earley.

"'We knew it would be more of a design show than a making show this year,' says textile designer, and judge Rebecca Earley, aware that one sharer of Jerwood’s £30,000 Contemporary Makers prize has never laid hands on his work"

I will be discussing my time in the States at BECon in Portland and also my meeting with David McFadden soon.


Meet the Makers - Jerwood Contemporary Makers

Martina Margetts, Senior Tutor in Critical and Historical Studies at the Royal College of Art, in conversation with Geoffrey Mann (product art), Ismini Samanidou (woven textiles) and Claire Norcross (lighting). These artists will share and discuss their approaches to making in relation to production, factories and new technology.

Jerwood Space
171 Union Street
London
SE1 0LN

Entry is free but booking is essential on 020 7654 0171 or jva@jerwoodspace.org.uk


Jerwood Images

The images are of the work currently exhibited at the Jerwood Space.

The last image is of the new piece titled Nocturne. The piece comprimises of four individual trajectories dancing towards the central light source.