Here’s my final artist statement…short film to come…
(On a side note I was able to crop and edit this image on wordpress. This was more convenient than trying to use CS4, because after it is saved in gif format, there are a limited amount of editing options. Well, that I knew how to access, so BUENO, wordpress!)
Ok, maybe if I reverse the chaotic visuals with the somber visuals so that when her speech is distorted everything is really somber and inactive it will be less of an obstacle…get rid of some the stills that are sporadically inserted…hmmm…
After some revising—>Thanks Nell! Still needs some work, but I will come back to this…
Yesterday I went to Fort Benning for a vigil/protest for the victims of The School of Americas. While I was there I took some photos and four short clips (1 min- 3 min), so that I could show Mark and my mother, as this was the first vigil and organized protest that I have ever attended. As I was looking at my footage, I could not help but to draw parallels between what I imagine the personal struggle and torture of addiction to be like and the little known of tortures and the war that affords the comfort we have in American society. The heinous crimes and torture committed were done so by SOA graduates it is impossible for me to not make a connection between our government training these individuals and our economic policies. I feel that this idea can certainly be extended universally to any nation’s war and particularly the wars that the United States of America are involved in. At whose expense does our freedom come? The happiness and comfort that we have knowing that convenience is but a snap of the fingers or a click of the mouse is brought at whose demise? Out of sight, out of mind. Everything will be o.k. I’m too busy to know where to start to change things. It’s out of my hands. If things changed would I have to suffer?
As I began to think about this more, it only seemed fitting that I would change the visual component of my video.
Oh, how I wish my windows (that frame the images) were aligned through the center. Also, me with an exacto knife is not so exacto. And the museum board has retained all of the oil from my grubby little hands. The sloppiness is killing me! But it is finally done! I made a title page to go onto the top wheel. I love that I put the acknowledging credits in a circle around my title, and it was so easy. Thank you illustrator, you made my title page almost effortless! Cutting a perfect circle was not as effortless, but came with some patience.
Although I had heard some of this lecture in a previous course (ART-160), I found it to be interesting and informative. As I was not an Art major, I found it really helpful to be reminded of the principles to bear in mind when writing and talking about art. I sometimes forget to state the obvious when talking or writing my work. This is an important component to writing and speaking about art because we all see and respond to things differently and it is important to communicate the key elements of a piece so that connections can be made between art and the intent behind it. The lecture also gave me more to think about in regard to my alphabet book. I would like for my book to focus on a particular element so that there is an overall connection and theme throughout my design. I’m thinking about the relationship between letters and colors and how this can play into my book. Maybe an alphabet color wheel? Certain letters would be located on specific color slices for example: A=red. hmmm…maybe the color element upstage the showcasing of the font??…
Today’s class was spent familiarizing us with using Photoshop and Illustrator together. The goal was to take the original photo and make some subtle or drastic changes to the image and save them side-by-side in Illustrator. This is the same format that we will use for the “Alphabet Book” project. I did not accomplish much in class, however, after a break and some time outside of class, I was able to reproach the assignment with enthusiasm. This assignment made me evaluate not just how I take the initial image but how I am seeing the images even before I even take the shot. It also made me think about the aesthetic connection and style I that want to have between all of my photos.
What I have found difficult when taking pictures of these letterforms found in everyday life, is that I want there to be complex relationship between the letter and object, rather than just finding a shape within a larger shape. I feel stumped by the initial images and words that come to mind when I think of my letters (K, V, G, S, L). Therefore, I am trying to see letterforms in everything and hope for a sign and then to make a connection between all of my photos.
Today we presented our “metaphorical me” in class. Unfortunately I mis-heard the assignment (i.e. only heard what I wanted to hear and didn’t process what I thought I heard). So, I spent a great deal of time working on building layers off of the photo that I pulled up in last classes studio time. On the upside I am more familiar with inserting images into Illustrator, making shapes, playing with opacity and manipulating layers. The downside to this was that when I presented my “metaphorical me” there was not a strong connection to the image that I chose, the three words that I chose and the “me” aspect. It was not very polished (that is actually just like me). This is quite unfortunate because the presentations done by the other women in our class were quite polished but also revealing and sincere. It was a really nice way to get to know introduce ourselves, get feed back on how what we present is perceived and ultimately bond with each other.
One particular student presented her image, which was of two hands lightly touching just across a midsection. The nails on the fingers were painted a pinkish red. Looking at the hands and nails, they could have easily been hers. Also in the image was a shadow of what could have been a staircase projected onto the hands and midsection. What was really interesting is that the majority of the class felt that the image expressed anticipation and waiting. What these hands in the sunlight represented for her was curiosity. The nails represented an element of surprise and playfulness that she possesses and feels that many people don’t know this about her upon first glance. For me this particular “metaphorical me” was successful because it captured her metaphorical-self with the response to the image and the discussion. It left me curious.
Welcome to my first ever blog-site. This here “plog” (progress and process log) is a place for me to virtually display my journey through the course “Digital Imaging-250,350″. Here I will be able to make connections between my past course work and current course work, and hope that they shape future endeavors. I am not an artist and have no art making background, but I love making things (like salad). Talking about myself and my ideas in front of a group of people (physically or virtually) is not my favorite thing. But, I love making things to express how I think and feel, hence this plog.
In past courses I created two e-portfolios (with Dreamweaver) and a short film (3 min) with Final Cut Express. From these projects I learned that I enjoy creating a visual interpretation of my academic interests and finding a visual voice. A few of these interests include social inequality (vying for equality), deviance, folklore, media, sustainable environmental design, culture, community and foodways. All of that said, my goal for this plog is for it to be a cleaner, more articulate, connected and personalized display of my course work . Therefore, the organization of this site will probably change throughout the semester. Please bear with me.
