Arielle Carlow

Patterns
17 September 2019

Recently the content of my work has focused on patterns and repetition. So far they have just been patterns I create for fun in my sketchbooks. I want them to be more, and larger than my current average size of 5inX9in. While creating these patterns the mediums I prefer to use are heavyweight, smooth paper, and pens/markers that sit on top of the surface. I also intend to not only explore new materials, but also other forms of pattern making, such as the processing software and robots. I am excited to start making larger pieces. For my thesis I would like to explore what makes a pattern successful, and how they can cause a feeling of relaxation, relief, and satisfaction. When making my patterns the world disappears and my mind goes silent, as I get lost in them.

I have chosen to apply to design seminar for a couple reasons. Recently I have been working with images and text. The text is usually some sort of informative pun. I would like to learn how to better effectively inform someone of something with art and text, than to make pieces just because. Another reason why I chose design seminar is because of the small size. Since it will be a small number of people, it allows for conversation to become deeper and more meaningful than in a larger group. The third reason I decided on design seminar is because of the way I work. For me, my art is about the process and the experience while creating, and the product more so for the viewer usually than myself.

When I first came to Montserrat I had no idea what I wanted to do with my art. So I took some classes from each of the departments. Over the three years I have been here I have learned that I most enjoy working simplistically and with patterns and repetition. This is something I am naturally drawn to, and have a deep internal desire to do.

thesis tweet
While making patterns the world disappears and my mind goes silent, as I get lost in them. I’m working with different ways of pattern making, and presentation. Robots, Software, Video, Low Pedestals... and exploring how they make you think and feel.

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May 2019

For the past year I have been mostly focusing the content of my work on patterns, and repetition. So far they have just been patterns I have enjoyed making in a sketchbook. I want them to be more. In these sketchbooks my preferred medium is paint markers. I have yet to find a preferred process to making larger copies.

For my thesis I would like to propose a topic of patterns formed in nature, specifically how animals gather. I am especially curious about the how and why they gather the ways that they do. Why do sardines, for instance, form in tight schools and use their reflective scales while moving synchronised to confuse predators? How is that more effective than scattering? When a pod of humpback whales feed they herd their prey together with a tight net of blinding bubbles. Then they breach in a circle one a few moments after the other. This is to maximise the catch.

I have chosen to apply to design seminar for a couple reasons. First, because you are not making art just for the purpose of making art. Recently I have been working with images and text. The text is usually some sort of informative pun. I would like to learn how to better effectively inform someone of something with art and text, than to make pieces just because. Another reason why I chose design seminar is because of the small size. Since it will be a small number of people, it allows for conversation to become deeper and more meaningful than in a larger group. The third reason I decided on design seminar is because of the way I work. For me, my art is about the process and the experience while creating, and the product more so for the viewer usually than myself.

When I first came here I had no idea what I wanted to do with my art. So I took some classes from each of the departments. Over the three years I have been here I have learned that I most enjoy working simplistically and with patterns and repetition. This is something I am naturally drawn to, and have a deep internal desire to do. My goal is to portray the why that goes with the astonishing patterns we see in life.