Aphorisms on Futurism

by Katie Scott (IVM)

A large quantity of all design created today evolves around our expectations surrounding opulent materiality and physical desire. Things our social autonomy idolises dearly. From this, the general population may consider design to be an extension of ‘advertising’ (which undoubtably it is), nevertheless we must ask ourselves the ontology of what it is we do as artists, and why exactly we chose to pursue our craft. To artists, art is not simple as the exchange of services or quantum value however what is the conversation surrounding design in the 21st century? Photography for example, possibly one of the most vacuous and accessible modems of image in the 21st century from the advancement of social media and millennial ‘connectivity’- lens based imagery is often perceived as an act of commercial stalking. My practise, being photography I believe to be something I wish to truly interrogate throughout this DPS year, as I expose myself to opportunities and experiences that will undoubtably frame my creative integrity in professional practise. 

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My thesis aims to question the role technology plays in the fast approaching future of the creative industries and how the  construct of the ‘influencer’ will shift the paradigm away from the content and toward a creators profile. This is something I have yet to tackle in my practise as I have not yet prioritised my online status in the pursuit to achieving my dream career. Politically this is something I must adapt to find work and engage with the reality that as we head fast into this ‘new dark age’ in technology, we are only connected with what we can share on our profiles - the distinct chains of command that defines all creative business asserted from how many likes and followers an individual can sustain. So far my experience in the DPS programme has expressed to me the difficulties and challenges one faces as a working artist. We are kept in perpetual darkness, and the biggest challenge so far has been to keep a steady attitude towards my work and my value while my next years plans remain knowingly uncertain.

Having now built up my experience throughout this past summer working as a test photographer for Elite, Revolt and Viva model management and producing artwork and music videos for musicians - my largest priority over the course of this the next year is to build my network of contacts I will undoubtably need in the advent of my graduation in 2021. For what I have learned so far, sometimes opportunity derives from who you know and not necessarily what you do - authentically allowing your network to grow larger. 


My creative practise throughout the last year primarily remaining in 2D photographic form, I want to extend my work into moving image formats. Throughout this next year I also wish to reinforce opportunities that illustrate my approach to practise and chosen medium - which hopefully translates the saying quality not quantity, only committing to experiences, opportunities and work that will be essential to my individual growth as a creative practitioner. In this day it can be very difficult to stay tenacious to your own ambitions and goals as you are bombarded with distractions and threads from all the activity that surrounds you and all of your profiles.

Although testing for modelling agencies can only supply you with a certain modem of image ( classical, archaic and non conceptual) I wish to take this time to create work that is inspired by the essence of what I express throughout my manifesto. These interests stemming into subjects including the New Dark Age, beauty and identity in technological dystopia, anthropology and performance - I have plenty of motivation to develop photographic and time based narratives that can be published online and in print to attract new clientele that will someday support my independent practise and pay my bills.

Research has been a core part of this initiative. Breaking down manifestos and poetry from artists of the past and present, I am understanding the ontology of what I do and how it may be placed into the multiple World’s of design. This is a huge development on how I previously looked at my artwork. For the first time, I am beginning to delve beneath the superficially in the art scene and come to terms with what it truly means to create and produce work n a highly competitive and insatiable industry - where everyone can be and is a photographer / artist.… Accessibility somewhat diluting the quality of work that floats about the ‘Cloud’ (The New Dark Age, Bridle.J, 2018). Academics and artists I have began to research are the works of Mina Loe, Ariella Azoulay, Lucio Fontana, Vincent Huidobro and Valentine de Saint-Point. Coming to terms with who and what I draw inspiration from, I am learning that I am drawn to the attitude and history of the avant-garde movement. The era of radical innovation and controversial art that emerged from the 1920’s and ended in the 1930’s - I wish to continue my journey delving into the rich history and culture of what my work seeks inspiration from, as history remains to repeat itself.
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My plans for the next year have been condensed and altered to a more refined specialty and I am focusing on a select range of skills to tailor and gain experience in to fill out the next year. The roles and work I am now wanting to secure are assisting positions to photographers, junior creative producer (following the release of my first music video) and junior creative designer / director roles. These goals I plan to kick start in the pre-production, production and distribution of the editorials I will be producing for new face portfolios and my self initiated work. Working hard and independently, I wish to eventually land roles assisting on creative projects for agencies and artists on a more external basis that will allow me to review how larger productions come to fruition. 

Working independently on a range of creative projects throughout this summer while moonlighting my part time job in the evenings - I am trying to illustrate to audiences/clients that my work can indefinitely fit into multiple professional contexts and I am confident/ capable of working with a multifaceted range of lens based outlets. From this, I have been incredibly experimental with my work and have built a small network of individuals I would love to work with again in the future which will no doubt be of service to myself as I continue to move forward throughout this next year. I am incredibly excited to see where this year will take me and what work will emerge from 2019/2020.