ORNAMENT and PATTERN response

(link to the article: http://camraleigh.org/exhibitions/2011deepsurface/ornament-and-pattern/ )

I never intentionally used pattern in my own work to create a feeling or set the mood, or really even tell a story. I used it mostly for its’s decorative purposes in order to make something look “pretty”. I subconsciously created symbols and formed patterns without knowing what I was doing, knowing what people have been doing for years. There is so much history in ornament and pattern. It is a form-based language. It is a means of narrative and organization. It helps us as viewers put all the pieces together and build connections and relationships. It helps us to make sense of complex ideas in life. I’ve always found it interesting that when I’m creating a painting of a person I start to find pattern within shape and color. This makes the painting more identifiable and it draws people in. 

Because of technology pattern isn’t seen in exactly the same way when used in the past. As far as the way it can be produced and shared. I do think that it is important to utilize the technology within pattern making in order to make it easier and to create even more intricate patterns in a shorter amount of time.

 I do find myself really agreeing with the modernist way of thinking, I always have. I think that everything is related for the most part. Maybe it is my spiritual nature. It is very hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that things happen by chance. For me that part of pattern making and art-making in general is what make it so important to humanity. This leads me to say that I believe people have combined the modernist and post-modernist way of thinking. In our current time period I see a combination and including of all forms of thought. As a culture people have become a bit more open-minded in what is acceptable as art. We have expanded our technology as well. They go hand in hand.

This article gave me a lot more insight and context of what ornament is. I will now use it more intentionally. Pattern and its application is very important to me. Within textile design it is important to do so much research and look at what is trending and what people gravitate to. All of this goes into creating a collection of patterns that are different but also relate and applying it to products. As far as my fine arts practice within design I will use pattern to enhance my narrative.