Four bodies of work each expressing aspects of serial behaviour, advantage is taken of the uniformity of mass produced materials and scientific laws to provide consistent finishes, narrative content and expressiveness are kept to minimum. Each object functions independently but it’s function is changed by its interaction with a larger grouping both of its near-identical twins and in relation to the other objects. Decisions and differences are highlighted by the proximity of, and relationship with, similar artworks. Boundaries of the aesthetic are explored, between those things that are properly in this area and those that are matters of taste or natural beauty.
 
Rana Begum
Colour and line are used to create a visual aesthetic of rhythm and repetition. Materials such as vinyl and electrical tapes, that are shiny, matte, reflective, iridescent, transparent or opaque are used. The dark red, a transparent lithographic tape, is the main colour in the work because of its depth and intensity when layered. These tapes are layered on wood or aluminium and depending on which, the intensity of the colours change. The available tapes and vinyl determine the palette of colours within the work. Unity is brought into these pieces by using colour relationship and line, causing a pulsation across the surface of the form. Further work by Rana Begum; www.ranabegum.com
Siobhan Carroll
Set materials are used, a pre-determined methodology, marks are gestural but held within the discipline of analysis and an eternal framework. Drawings are constrained and obscured by constructions that trammel the viewer’s gaze and destroy the separate-ness of the drawings as discreet objects, making them components in a larger structure. The deployment of the components that make up the objects vary but the materials and the formulae for construction remain consistent and subject to subconscious laws.
  

 

Antony Hall
The use of identical instruments produces identical results that allow the proof or refutation of a hypothesis. Variations in the result could be down to a number of (theoretically controllable) inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the apparatus used or to (unpredictable and therefore uncontrollable) variations in the universe. The objects presented demonstrate a capillary action within acceptable margins of error to prove a general rule of thumb; if the objects are left unattended further entropic rules of thumb are demonstrated. Whether the curve is pleasing or displeasing to the viewer depends on the ability of the artist to perform the experiment within the acceptable margins of error. Whether the object as a whole is a successful artwork depends on the artist’s decisions regarding the presentation of the successfully produced curve. Further work by Antony Hall; www.antonyhall.net

Jonathan Trayner
Each object is identical in construction excepting the minor discrepancies brought about by the manufacturing process and variations in certain prefabricated components. Intended difference is limited to the finish of the objects, the interaction of the variants in the finish is designed to provide the best match between the two components, coloured vinyl and coloured light. The range of objects demonstrates a variety of matches available within the given range of finishes. The choice of which two finishes to combine can therefore be said to be primarily aesthetic whereas the preference of one object over another can be said to be primarily one of taste.

(Images (c) Sophia Crilly, 2005)

  

 

 

MILL-WORKERS is supported by Arts Council England, Salford City Council and Islington Mill Studios, images (c) the artists, text and web-design (c) Jonathan Trayner