To begin developing our project directions we were set the task of completing a 40 minute sprint that is trying to quickly test one aspect of your project.

 
"Today I am going to test the workflow of my mark making workshop."

In doing this I discovered that a quick 5 minute mark making activity can be completed on a big piece of paper to warm up. However creating a layered messy zine takes a bit more time (if you aren't drying the page under a hand dryer in the uni bathrooms).

300gsm Heavyweight Cartridge

The process of using pigment inks on heavy-weight 300gsm cartridge paper produces a refined Mess. When scored and folded the Mess is durable and looks like a piece of artwork. However, throughout this develop phase, the quality of this outcome has made me more precious about using the Mess to scribble, document or express.

110gsm Cartridge

Using ink on 110gsm which is standard cartridge paper was successful in holding a lot of water and ink equivalent to the 300gsm cartridge. When folded it is still sturdy, however does feel thinner as a zine than the heavy paper. This 

80gsm Copy &
Food Colouring

Watered down food colouring is a successful substitute for inks or watercolours. The outcome on very thin printer paper (which could be a page out of a notebook or any scraps) was able to hold enough water to get the ink to flow. The ink did soak through the paper, which was more delicate to hand once wet. However, when dried it held up well and produced an adequate outcome for the materials used. This showcases that material inaccessiblilty is not a limitation in this mess making approach.

Collaborating

The first collaboration was met with strong interest and engagement. When presented with the opportunity to be allowed to make a mess, there is a lot of excitement. It is interesting to watch this excitement tamed by the blank white page; the maker begins to paint with a brush, considered strokes carefully thought out. I wondered if offering the brush tool provides too much control in a process that intends to let go of control. This was tested as I suggested the maker use the water spray and then drop inks, this is where the maker got truly engaged with the process and let layers build. This was a great test in how much medium the paper could hold and what taking it too far looks like. Upon reflection, I’m not sure that there is a ‘too far’ within the context of this project. Even if the colours all mix into a muddy brown mess.

Mixed Media

The use of oil pastel was an interesting medium creating a textural mess, when handled this feels uncomfortable leaving an oilly residue on the fingers. The use of textural mediums may have potential in further communicating the uncomfortable qualities of frustration.

Bubble wrap

A large scale mess making experience was the proposed idea for the G.UTS exhibition. On A1 paper people would have the options of paint brushes, bubble wrap or a straw as a tool to mark make with paint. Testing the use of paint brushes to release frustration felt in the arms was successful in messy mark making. Here the use of bubble wrap is being tested over these marks, by painting onto the bubble wrap or onto the paper first and then imprinting using bubble wrap. Painting onto the paper first and then stomping on the bubble wrap was more expressive and time efficient. The bubble wrap is an interesting sensory experience as the popping correlates to expressing frustration.

Poster paint on scrap paper

Using 8 A2 scrap papers as a canvas, this was a test for how a collaborative mark making experience would run. 

I wanted to step away from the need for the form of this project to be a zine and just explore materials. In this next phase of testing, I explored a range of materials in a free context with no intention but to mark make. This allowed me to engage with the feeling of using that material and the sense of control felt while doing so.

UGG (Ugly Gate Gallery) was an exhibition of experiments, hung where they were created. I think it could be interesting to explore creating these messes in uninspiring contexts. Just as graffiti does.

Marker

Marker is always the obvious choice for mark making; trying to use the marker in a free and expressive way by getting out of your head is a tug-of-war because you still have so much control.

Wet rag

Throwing a wet paint rag was really fun. It definitely provides a release but the most successful aspect is that the mark is unpredictable.

Acrylic paint

Here I am beginning to explore the art form of tagging; using a bright medium, large flat brush to make gestural strokes that resemble the letters GRRR. There is an interesting visual language established by rebellious young people that may be used as a tool to empower them rather than stigmatise.

Spray paint