I went back to China to assist my artist with the new upcoming show in Shanghai, while also helping with installations for an expo in Singapore (where the installations will be shipped).
With more making and hands-on sessions in the studio, I have built skills in assembling things without instruction, but based on logic and observations of my artist’s previous works. The works throughout the two weeks are repetitive in motion but require a lot of thought in technical building, which I found very interesting and considered a new experience. Due to the variety in materials and tools, I get to explore and learn how to use and assemble them, which could be a helpful experience in the future for my own practice. Again, I find my internship very helpful for me as I’m the only person working for her at the moment, which allows me to be partaking in more responsibilities and more different types of work, along with having direct communications with my artist.
My boss definitely went on an innovative path to making CGI-structured works come to real life. Therefore, during conversations we had during the building sessions, I learnt more about her creative process, her inspirations and how she transitioned from CGI Artist to installation Fine Artist. This leads to my brainstorming of which pathway should I take as an artist, where I’m still exploring this process, but I did find out that I like to be working in a small crew instead of in a company.
Just out of curiosity, I also asked and got to see different materials that are 3D printed, learning about their differences, pros and cons and even prices. This gives me an overview of how installations like these would roughly cost, and I also learnt how different galleries in different countries would provide different budgets and services for the artist. Seeing how my artist plans financially to buy materials definitely made me realise that budgeting is a very important part of making art.
The image above is a sample material sent from the 3D printing company for my artist to examine and compare. This would be used in the future for our potential merch that could be sold in gallery in Shanghai.
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