First video project: “The Perfect kind of Silence” While being one of my first video editing experiences, using the software ‘Blurr’ recommended to me by a friend, I think this turned out quite a bit better than I anticipated it would - although I could do well to grow more familiar with some of the software’s features. The video, being a collection of different locations void of everything but rain, plants and earth and the sounds they make together, is meant to stir a feeling of serenity and provide a different perspective from what we’re used to. While we huddle together in the rain, sharing umbrellas and rushing through muddy dirt to get to our next classes and taking stressful tests, I wanted to zero in a bit more on what one doesn’t usually stop to appreciate...
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Project: Prop and Generosity. For this project, I decided to create paper strips with various colors and patterns on them. I then gave these out to the other students, who then were given the task of writing either compliments, words of affirmation, or something else positive before hanging it on the bush/tree on the patio outside of the studio. Then they would grab a slip of a different color and pattern, and receive the message that someone else had written. Although I feel like I could have done much better with this, it was still sort of neat to see others interacting with my idea although in retrospect, I wish I had chosen a different one.
Project Six - Ritualistic Art / location documenting through digital art and editing I’ve taken the Shuttle each day for five consecutive days, taking an image of either the interior, or the stop nearby it as a way to show where I’ve been, and where I go to escape. I’ve drawn over these images with a character to sit in for myself - both to make it unique, and since I didn’t really have anyone to hold the camera for me. This character’s overall design has no deeper meaning, but it does have the purpose of making them stand out. This project was very time-consuming, but I found it rewarding and a bit restful for myself.
Project five - Meet in the Middle A tree and a rock find themself lost in an engaging pastime. My parts completed- Paper plaque, paper checker board and found checker pieces The personification of the tree branch, and the rock were done by my group mates, Joy and Ella. Materials used: Paper, acrylic and guache paint, charcoal, and paint markers (Rocks and other ground litter were found at the site) This project is meant to lean into an air of playfulness, and pull heads towards a more lighthearted sense of wonder. If you look at this and think it silly- well done, that’s the point of it! I had fun setting this up, and watching it subtly interact not only with the environment, but the people that walk through it. Even though the prep and creation of the checker board was a little tough on me and my hands, I found myself surprised with the pride it gave me as I watched it unfold with the cooperation of my two teammates’ installations as well.
Project four - Measuring Histories For this project, I confronted the topic of my own personal history through childhood struggle - and put it into a canvas where it connects and almost merges into a source of great comfort. The paint: The paint is comprised of fruit punch soda, of which I mixed with multiple different medias to acquire different shades of red and pink. This dually represents the struggle of surviving off nothing but junk food, and the comfort of food or soft drink to combat stress at such a young age. The bear: The teddy bear is the focal point of the artwork. Drawn with pen and gold paint marker, it is supposed to symbolize a concrete thing that sticks no through every struggle no matter what or where it is.. which is also supported by the text above it. Vinyl cutouts of the original soda bottle label are glued to the paper to further connect it’s origin to the fruit punch soda.
Project three, Call and Response - Changing Light in Transparency General idea - two dragons, question of balance or perhaps equality, how we see others Creators: Me, Ariana (partner) Me and my project partner Ariana, came up with the idea of two dragons flying together or looking at each other in way that vaguely communicates a theme of balance, or clashing elements. Side note - The yellow dragon (mine) was originally going to be blue, yet the vinyl ran out so I compromised with mix of yellow dragon and blue clouds instead.
Inspirational Artists - those who gave me a spark of thought. From the informational book “ Ways of Looking,” I’ve discovered a select couple of artists that not only hooked my attention but held it down long enough to maje me really think. From comparing my methods and thought processes to theirs, to developing ideas on what to incorporate into my own work, these two people really do stand out to me apart from the others and I’ll explain my reasoning in brief summaries. Michael Landy, Saints Alive exhibition, 2013, Natural Gallery, London. What struck me first was the frazzling mix of mechanical and biological elements. Personally, I love this type of stuff; I’ve always held a fascination for machinery and robotics, especially those conjoined with flesh and body in sci-fi media and video games. Not only is such a sculpture likely very time-consuming, it requires a certain way of thinking to be able to put each piece together in a way that communicates its purpose. Michael states ...