Overall comments

You have justified how cyanotypes have been the most appropriate technique to use; ephemerality, ebb and flow and tonal values/ colour. 

You mention telling your story quite a bit. Start to think about the formats of how the cyanotypes can come together to display this story telling element. 

1st set of cyanotypes- these hold complex impressions of debris, water matter and sediment combined with layering and depth in its ‘design’. They are acting like nets collecting the life underneath the water but also what has come afloat.

2nd set- these are calmer in appearance, especially with the curvature of the form. The first set was quite geometric. This set is just as exciting as the first and it feels like there could be a chart of different processes you use.

Perhaps think about how each set can be displayed (not the story telling element). It feels quite laboratorial where you undergo these experiments and be quite investigative. It would be good to have some labelling/ description/ photographic documentation to accompany the work because when reading the process, it seems very insightful and engaging but we are not seeing it yet, just imaging. 

Critical review- it’s good to see you adding onto the written element. It’s also more concise when focusing on the two artists. Be true to yourself and mention and make a key feature of YOUR concerns about the Thames. Don’t let that concern go. You come first and then allow the research and artists to fit in with your concepts. 

Student notes and reflections

My thoughts

We had a really positive tutorial and have agreed I should continue with the cyanotypes for project 7, however record and document the process and keep trying different approaches. I will continue to use the river water in varying states, pure and with silt, while the river is so low at the access point, and where I can reach it.

As the last two sets were so different, keep pushing myself and the work to obtain different results. Think about curation and the display of the work. My thoughts at the moment are maybe about a book, and using some sort of formal labelling, being quite structured with the layout.

We talked about Emma Stibbons sketchbook work. I thought maybe it would be a good idea for me to use a sketchbook  to support my existing work. What I am doing at the moment is quite labatorial and some sketching/painting would run well alongside this. I am thinking of using a variety of mediums.

Action points

• Is it worth having more insight into your forensic investigations? Think botanical logbooks, museum archival displays. 
• Consider the ‘story telling’ element. You have a very visual way of describing the processes in quite a poetic way. Can this be included in your story? 
• Keep adding to the CR but include your concerns and inventions. 
• Emma Stibbon’s ‘Melting Ice/Rising Tides’- to add to your CR. Also, the way she collects matter for her sketchbook is very active and practical.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxPg5N30bbA