Research Catalogue

Illustration as research from within the field is of relatively new practice. The illustrators discourse on representation (Yannicopoulou & Alaca 2018 ), theory (Doyle, Grove and Sherman 2018, Male 2019, Gannon and Fauchon 2021), and critical writing on illustration practice was hardly found before The Journal of Illustration was first issued in 2014, followed by artistic research through illustration (Black, 2014; Rysjedal, 2019; Spicer, 2019). This research project developed as response to a rise in hate crime towards refugees and the targeting of European Jews in recent decade. A pilot project (This Is a Human Being 2016-2019) treated how narratives of the Holocaust may avoid contributing to overwriting of history or cultural appropriation. Asking how illustration in an expanded approach may communicate profound human issues typically considered unrepresentable, this new project hopes to explore representation and the narratives of “us” and “the others” in the contemporary world through illustration as starting-point for cross-disciplinary projects. The participants from different disciplines, have interacted democratically on common humanist themes to explore the transformative role of illustration in contemporary communication. our projects should afford contemplation of illustration as an enhanced, decelerated way of looking; and drawing as a process for understanding - a way of engaging in understanding the other, as much as expressing one’s own needs (McCartney, 2016). This AR project consisted of three symposia and three work packages, and the artistic research unfolded in the symbiosis of these elements. Our investigation of illustration across media and materials continues as dissemination and exhibitions even after the conclusion of the work packages in 2024.

Thesis / Research Document of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, 2023. Master Artistic Research (MAR). Designed by Faina Faigin Reflecting on personal experiences of being part of some groups and excluded from others makes me wonder how we connect when we are already clinging. Communities can be either chosen or forced, or both, which raises questions about how these bonds are formed and when we no longer belong.

This research delves into the enduring human desire for immortality, omnipresence, and boundless existence, contrasting with the finite nature of human life. Employing language tools like metaphor and analogy, the project explores the metaphysical realm embedded in everyday culture, investigating the in-between moment of teleportation and transformation. This moment, often overlooked, is a threshold of change and ambiguity, prompting questions about the body's presence-absence in time and space. The research methodology remains open, evolving organically through exploration, experimentation, and engagement with hypnosis, meditation, storytelling, and somatic practices. In a parallel exploration, the study draws inspiration from the historical origin of the term "Metaphysics," tracing its roots to Aristotle's works beyond the physical world. While acknowledging the dualisms inherent in metaphysics, the research embraces entanglement and recognizes the contemporary relevance of metaphysical inquiries in new materialism. Navigating the nostalgia for the past and the future, the study examines metaphysics as both a connection and a separation, akin to conjoined twins, contributing to ongoing philosophical conversations about existence, agency, and the interconnectedness of the material world.

Master in Film & Media, Thesis project, SKH/Stockholm University of the Arts - the Art of Impact 2024 Film as doing philosophy, and the liminal experience explored within the narrative gap of character creation, as a space for pre-reflective thought and attention. Themes of Melancholy and Memory works as architecture for experimenting with spatiality and temporality. With ideas of Film as Poetic Art, I have explored the How and Now in film acting with a tension dependent non-linear script motivated by the works of filmmaker Chantal Akerman. What happens with us as filmmakers when we refuse to answer questions? What happens with the spectator when we refuse to give answers? Is there a gap created or are the gaps the magic that happens in between the creation?

This exploration delves into the potential of emotional storytelling through walk cycles. Moving beyond traditional animation, it utilises the expressive power of modern tools to explore how line, shape, stroke weight, colour, texture, and sound can be manipulated to create abstract narratives that evoke deeper emotional experience for the viewer. Drawing on a foundation of psychological principles, scientific research, and relevant articles, the walk cycles become abstract narratives, provoking introspection and emotional connection.

Seanergy Underwater Art Gallery is a digital space that integrates ocean-themed art with technology. It focuses on the co-design of digital experiences with raw nature to foster a genuine connection with the marine environment. This research is my starting point for exploring strategies for incorporating nature into the design process of digital experiences, aiming to enhance engagement and promote environmental stewardship.