Untitled (Last Iceberg series, #101325 version #2) copyright 2014/2023 Douglas Stockdale –
When I started to consider how I might increase the visual presence of my Last Iceberg series, one of the first thoughts that came to mind was what-if these Last Icebergs could provide us with an distress message as to what the full extent of the environmental calamity was occurring? How might they signal us that we need to better understand the effects of climate change if we do not implement drastic changes now?
My first attempts were pretty simple; to broadcast a ‘Save-Our-Ship” using Morse code, see below. Okay, so not a lot of individuals know Morse code, eh? Perhaps a bit too oblique a message and just appears like a simple pattern. sigh.
My second thought was an overlay of an international signal on the same cyanotype print as above, which is my concept of the International Distress flag for ships at sea. This first version I think was getting close to my concept, while it still presented some visual issues for me. Again, not many individuals are familiar with the naval International Distress flag, but I think it kinda works.
After having practiced my embroidery back-stitch technique, I then created the hand-sewn version above. Now the square is red while my circle is black similar to the original distress. I am now leaving these as more graphic symbols and not using any Prismacolor art pencils to layer in a flat color. Also moving this graphic symbol so that it is not entirely on top of the iceberg and could provide more of an impression that this is a flying flag being flown by this iceberg. I think this hand-sewn pattern is now very intriguing and has a nice visual balance that creates a sense of mystery.
And as you might imagine, this hand-sewn cyanotype print is providing more ideas of how I might further explore this theme.
Untitled (Last Iceberg series, #101325 version #2) copyright 2014/2023, hand-sewn cyanotype image is 9 x 12″ on a 11 x 14″ sheet of Revere Platinum hot press cotton rag. Unique print.
Make every day an Earth Day
Doug
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Book development workshop:
Update: Developing a Creative Photo Book, on Zoom with SouthEast Center for Photography (SEC4P), January 20 & 21st and 27th, & 28th, 2024, from 10 AM – 1 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Artist book available:
The Flow of Light Brushes the Shadow, an artist book from Singular Images Press, 2022, $60.00 (CA sales tax for those residing in the USA) plus shipping expenses. Message me douglas.stockdale.artist@gmail.com
Singular Images 