Two of Starns pieces of work are shown below. Their unconventional use of materials and styles is a goldmine of research into what is creatively possible. I have selected the works below, from their series ‘Attracted to Light’ because of the scale and complexity of it and their process in creating it. By using large format cameras and macro lenses, they can scale up their images and then print multiple panels to create their collage effect. They have incorporated blur, grain and motion in the images, qualities which together convey aspects of fragility and chaos. To further support this, often their pieces have physical marks, creases and rips intentionally left on them, as part of the overall aesthetic. The Starn’s preference for imperfection over precision conveys energy and emotion, with the moth as a symbolic future of longing, transformation and mortality.

Their themes are complex and intricate, it is interesting to look at how different approaches can convey a multifaceted message. I would love to see their work in person, this really makes me think about the work as an object as whilst I can see it on a computer screen, the many layers of complexity within it, necessitate it needing to be seen up close.

I like the idea of being able to create a large piece of work without needing a huge space to print in, which makes this approach more accessible, due to printing in small sections. I used an online tutorial and split an image into 9 A4 sheets, using a slice tool before printing and piecing together. I printed straight on to plain copier paper as this was purely to see how I might be able to align the sheets and test the impact of a larger scale piece. I chose a photograph I had taken several years ago when I visited a large church in Reykjavik, Iceland. I remember thinking how pristine and minimalist it was and that the stonework was so consistently smooth. The scale of the building and the lines of the vaulted ceiling lent itself well to this test. Although I probably won’t progress this image further, it was useful to use for this purpose; there are so many lines and curves to align!

Looking into the Starns processes and influences has made me think about what is possible beyond the conventional and consider what opportunities there might be within my own practice to dig a little deeper and take a few risks with the work. I like the idea of a landscape scene being at a large scale in a collage arrangement, also using imperfection to create something more akin to an object than a picture.

Sources (as well as general google search and social media sites) :

http://www.dmstarn.com/ (link not secure so unable to create as a link here)

https://hackelbury.co.uk/artists/40-doug-and-mike-starn/biography/