OUGD505 / STUDIO BRIEF 01 / RESEARCH

To ensure that I select an appropriate subject for this brief, I decided to research into things I am personally interested in that I feel could be relevant and developed into a banknote.


ASTROLOGY

Astrology is a study that is deep rooted into history, dated back to at least the second millenium. Predominantly considered a traditional academic practice, it concerns the movements of astronomical objects in order to define personalities and terrestrial events. Intricate paradigms have been created by cultures to predict seasonal events and divine communications, such as the Indians, Chinese and Maya.

The natal signs, as conveyed in symbols in Western Astrology. These have a simplistic and bold quality to them that is easily recognised as celestial and eternal, even if the person does not believe in the accuracy of horoscopes.

Traditionally star signs are deemed as dreamy and conventional, and perhaps are not seen as modern in terms of aesthetic. Illustrations related to Astrology are usually ornate and detailed, and do not adhere to contemporary principles. 

A banknote that celebrates this divine and extraterrestrial practice would be an appropriate resolution to the brief which could help me explore print techniques, whilst experimenting with a modernisation of the horoscope. Since there are an extensive collection of themes such as the 12 signs, alongside the planets, this gives me plenty of visual material to start off with.


TIBETAN / BUDDHIST ART

Tibetan artwork is the artwork originating from Tibet. It involves paintings, furnishings to murals in religious locations. Visually, the artwork is extremely intricate time consuming, usually featuring religious symbols and themes.

Influences include Mahayan Buddhism, which includes the focus on bodhisattvas, (sanskrit for anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has generated bodhicitta, which is a spontaneous wish to attain buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings) Tibetan Buddhism inherited this tradition. Other influences include Tantric Buddhism and Bön, the shamanistic religion of the Himalayas. A lot of artists from this time who were commissioned by religious establishments, are unknown monks and artists.

Contemporary Tibetan art refers to the art of modern Tibet, or Tibet after 1950. It can also refer to art by the Tibetan diaspora, which is explicitly political and religious in nature. Contemporary Tibetan art includes modern thangka (religious scroll paintings) that resemble ancient thangka, as well as radical, avant-garde, works.