Research
Estelle Ihász is currently a PhD candidate at the ANU College of Arts and Social Science, School of Art. She is undertaking practice-led Higher Degree by Research in the Visual Arts.
Nature of research
The research aims to examine philosophies of consciousness, experimental work processes, and reflections on existence within the context of contemporary visual arts studio practice.
Research interests
Phenomenology
The research will commence by articulating the concept of Dasein (Heidegger's questioning of everyday engagement and being within the world) and Husserl's founding work in Phenomenology in relationship to the act of visual perception, psychology, and experiences of reality as applied within the art-making process, with specific references to the studio outcomes of Olafur Eliasson, Eija-Liisa Ahtila, Uta Barth, and Anna Lucas.
Process
The explorations outlined above will lead the research into the use of materials, chance and play in experimental approaches to physical art-making, as explored throughout the practices of Hungarian Bauhaus artists Lazlo Moholy Nagy and György Kepes (materials); Tristan Tzara, John Cage and Merce Cunningham (chance); Sarah Sze and Jessica Stockholder (play).
Temporality
Reflections on temporality and impermanence, as a facet of the human condition within arts practice, will conclude the research by connecting Heidegger's concept of Vorlaufen (the anticipation of death) and the Japanese aesthetic of Mono no Aware (the heightened awareness of the transience of things) to the methodology of photographic and film-based image making (with reference to the works of Rinko Kawauchi, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Tacita Dean) and the wider practice of installation/light- based art-making (James Turrell, Dan Flavin).
Mobile Content & Augmented Reality
Ihász also has research interests in connecting the future of mobile web content publishing and augmented reality to practice-led research outcomes.
For further information please email Estelle Ihász.