24 May 2010
Whisky, diamonds, the city and, above all, people
The Scottish whisky industry, global diamond trade, and city living are among the topics explored in a Graphic Design student’s Degree Show exhibit.
Liam Bonar (21), from Broughty Ferry, is about to graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University of Dundee. His final year projects touch upon a diverse range of subjects and illustrate how it is people that give them their context and meaning. They are currently on display at the 2010 Dundee Degree Show.
Looking at the imbalance inherent in the international diamond trade, he presents the two sides of the business in a dual bound book. One side shows the perceptions of diamonds as a luxury item in the West, while the other gives insight into the working conditions of the diamond miners in Sierra Leone.
A one-off book, bound in a box modelled on cases that carry whisky around the world, charts the past, present and likely future of the industry and draws attention to the fact that whisky is often seen as an old man’s drink in this country, whereas it’s the trendy beverage enjoyed by young people in other parts of the world.
In another project, Liam and his classmate Euan Baxter have produced a film showing how the inhabitants come to form the identity of the city through their behaviour and movements. The film pays particular attention to the differences evident at the same locations at times when they are heavily populated and when they are deserted.
Liam explained that he was heavily influenced by how contrasts are created by the subjective meanings that people attach to items, places and experiences.
'It’s a cliché, but there are two sides to every argument,' he said. 'When you look at the things that feature in my work, whether it’s whisky, diamonds or the city, then people are the common theme. These things only exist as we see them. Through human interpretation, we give them meaning.
'My work is about how different people experience and interact with different things and places. Diamonds mean different things for the rich and poor. Despite the efforts of the whisky industry, whisky is seen as an old man’s drink in Scotland, but in places like Greece, it’s the fashionable drink for young guys and girls.
'Similarly, the city is a very different place at day and at night. We were looking at the city as a concept. Although it’s filmed in Dundee, it’s not about Dundee specifically, but any city with a moving population that informs its identity. Without people, the city is a shell - an infrastructure of empty buildings.
'Again, the contrast comes about because of people. These things are the same but their value and purpose change according to the beholder. I’m not working in any single style, but these themes run through my work.'
For his exploration of the diamond industry, Liam has tried not to comment on the rights and wrongs of the trade, but to lay out a series of dispassionate facts for the viewer to draw their own conclusions from. The book is typographically led, and sees Liam express the arguments and facts with text, layout and materials.
His photographic representation of the Scottish whisky industry drew inspiration from a journey around Highland distilleries. The process of whisky distillation is examined in a series of stunning images and Liam, who admits to enjoying the odd glass himself, says he wanted to present an alternative view of the industry’s future to the one that is often portrayed.
'There’s been a lot of doom and gloom in the press lately,' he said. 'All you hear about is job losses and closures, but exports are actually rising and Scottish expertise is sought across the world.'
More examples of Liam’s work can be found at www.liambonar.co.uk.
Almost 300 students from 11 disciplines are exhibiting at this year’s Dundee Degree Show.
Notes to editors:
Dundee Degree Show
22nd - 30th May 2010 (Preview May 21st)
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
13 Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4HT
T 01382 385330
E exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow/
Exhibition open:
Saturday, May 22nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 23rd (10am-4pm)
Monday, May 24th (10am-8pm)
Tuesday, May 25th (10am-8pm)
Wednesday, May 26th (10am-8pm)
Thursday, May 27th (10am-8pm)
Friday, May 28th (10am-8pm)
Saturday, May 29nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 30th (10am-4pm)
Graduate work on display:
Animation
Art, Philosophy & Contemporary Practices
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Interior Environmental Design
Interactive Media Design
Jewellery & Metal Design
Product Design
Textile Design
Time Based Art & Digital Film
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
