The magical world of Wikipedia...

‘Aesthetics is commonly known as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values….Aesthetics studies new ways of seeing and of perceiving the world.’

‘We can call a person, a house, a symphony, a fragrance….beautiful. What characteristics do they share which give them that status? What possible feature could a proof and a fragrance both share in virtue of which they both count as beautiful? …each art form has its own system for the judgement of aesthetics.

…there has been long debate on how perception of beauty in the natural world …is supposed to relate to perceiving beauty in art or artefacts.’

‘Yulem describes an object formed by natural processes, which possesses a set of intrinsic aesthetic characteristics that transform it into an object of unique interest. Only a naturally formed object that is recognised to possess such a unique or appealing character is considered a ‘yulem’ object. ‘yulem’ object is in contrast to a ‘work of art’ or ‘found art’. A ‘yulem’ object’s creation in unintentional and not the result of human forethought. ’Art’ objects are intentional manifestations of creativity. This distinction forces emphasis on a collective recognition of an object’s intrinsic aesthetic characteristics verses conformity to a pre-existing set of aesthetic criteria.’

‘Yulem objects are never dictated by aesthetic delectation. … Yulem objects are not based on a reaction of visual indifference with at the same time a total absence of good or bad taste.’

‘After an object is observed by others a consensus of its aesthetic value in built. If many recognise the characteristics of the object as uniquely interesting the value is great.’

Bronze...

This is the bronze at the beginning of the cleaning process. You can see where the channels of wax were attached underneath the sculpture in order to pour the bronze into the plaster mould.

Dissertation thoughts...

In order to contextualise my practice I need to know what it is that I do. It is difficult to pin-point something like that if you didn't originally aim at something specific or with a particular goal.
If I look at my work, the way I make it and what I say if I am questioned about it... I would say that 'process' and 'materials' are the essential part.

A vague form is controlled at the initial stage.

I.e, if it is going to hang, it will be formed around a length of rope. If it is going to be cube shaped, a cube mould will be used...etc

However, there is not a particular theme to which I am trying to direct the spectators attention. I simply enjoy the messy proceedures and the uncontrollable textures of the materials. It is a hedonistic process for me and I am not trying to achieve anything. The sculptures are a result of 'play'.

But why all the sculptures have a continuity or a characteristic of work produced by the same one person must be something to do with something subconcious. My inner characteristics of what I enjoy and finding aesthetically pleasing and my interests. I am aware of my interest in insects and the small intricate cycles of nature. I've always been fascinated with biology. And I think it is evident in my work. It is unintentional and I was not aware until it was pointed out.

But to find a subject of my work to contextualise and discuss is difficult. Prehaps I should look at the simple aesthetic value of art and the validity of meaningless art. Or materials and processes and what defines 'beauty'?