Two towers offered a minimalist and evocative base for multimedia sculpture or installation. Newspaper was to hand and seemed appropriate for communication of a theme to which it is so relevant – the news media on the day and day following such events has the capability of forming strong memories of them. As a structural material I had hoped it would hold firmer than it did – I later added more layers but this meant the rectangular shape was less defined and it was still liable to crumpling at the bottom.

I tried to resolve the structural issue by stapling cardboard to the inside of the base of the towers – I began this but did not see it through. Instead I panicked slightly and shifted to another mode of presentation, which was to tape newspaper to the wall of my studio space as an installation. The initial idea was to have front pages of various events hidden within the layers chronologically, and could then either cut into myself or allow others to do so – an act of revealing cultural memories. I thought this was a bit gimmicky and I became more interested in highlighting the role played in dissemination of information through communications technology. It is interesting to consider the progression of handheld devices from the day of the attack, where direct communication within the city was difficult, to the present day where acts of terror are effectively live streamed via twitter, instagram and facebook.

Presentation definitely in need of improvement, should have seen towers through to end, perhaps using cardboard, perhaps using wood as support – or simply perfecting newspaper folding process.

Throughout this first semester similar concerns have arisen in my work: repetitive imagery (Carrie Lam and 9/11 storyboard screenshots), mass media, communication technology (miscommunication), myth-making, image and text. While initial concepts have been strong I have shown an inability to develop to point of resolution. I need to sketch more, respond more and work harder in general.