ANIMAL’s feature Artist’s Notebook asks artists to show us their original “idea sketch” next to a finished piece. This week New York-based artists Mike Bailey-Gates and Claire Christerson share detailed storyboards and lists for their recent video piece The Cherub Garden, inspired by Marie Antoinette and Peter Greenaway.
When we thought of this project, we were inspired by our collection of toys and wanting to make something about them.
We had a lot of images and small bits of information in mind. We are really inspired by Marie Antoinette looks. We also love Peter Greenaway and wanted to incorporate his ability to tell stories with lighting and use that in this piece.
We generally plan out the shots and then draw them.
Some times the shots end up going in a different order, or some don’t get used. We also make a lot of lists.
We love over-the-top women and wanted to make something that was fast-paced and involved a lot of embellished body language.
The story is ultimately about how everyone has a hidden confidence, and we wanted to see a character take control of a hierarchy and show their power.
MIKE AND CLAIRE, THE CHERUB GARDEN (2013)
Previous Artist’s Notebook selects:
Artist’s Notebook: Jonathan Monaghan
Artist’s Notebook: Kate Torn
Artist’s Notebook: Andrea Crespo
Artist’s Notebook: Genevieve Belleveau
Artist’s Notebook: Georges Jacotey
Artist’s Notebook: Saoirse Wall
Artist’s Notebook: Jesse Darling
Artist’s Notebook: Yoshi Sodeoka
Artist’s Notebook: Actually Huzienga
Artist’s Notebook: Cody Critcheloe, SSION
Artist’s Notebook: Jennifer Catron and Paul Outlaw
