Bridge 3 – Trust Me I’m Lying

Bridge 3 Project

For both integrative studio and seminar class, in class, we have separated into groups and we need to choose one site from the list that the professor has provided. Our group chose the 2nd Ave subway station art and after as a group, we went to the site to do some research. We have collected the audio, photographs, and video; we have to choose artifacts individually too. Later on, we need to choose one artifact individually and create 3 different works that involve with it.

Process

The artifact I chose is the subway tracks and wall picture. Then, I first planned out my ideas and I wanted to use the layering technique that I often use in my artwork. Therefore, I choose 3 colors, which is black, red and white; these colors really create intensity and bold backgrounds. The acrylic I chose for all backgrounds is heavy body based, therefore it can create a thick texture layer. After I have used wires, cablets, and lightbulb for the 3 artworks because the first thing that subway reminded me of is electricity. All 3 artworks are collage based by using the acrylic, printed paper, and objects that I have chosen. As you can see all 3 works involves electricity and the same technique, so the 3 artworks can correspond to each other.

Final works

Learning outcomes

My works are mostly abstract and I have used objects and paint to create 3D media artworks. I think through the process when developing my works, I added/changed some parts of my ideas as well. For the second piece, the advices I got has helped because I didn’t know what to put on the right corner space. After adding the string on the corner of my second piece, it did add more depth into the piece and somehow corresponds to the light bulb. I have used acrylic to layer up for creating thick layers to bring texture and dynamics. My installed objects are bold, therefore I did not put many objects on the canvas, so it won’t look messy rather than well-constructed. Overall, throughout making these artworks, I have experienced using different daily objects to create the works and challenged by using the same artifact for all 3 artworks; but showing 3 different ways to present the artifact.

Final installation  

Pretending you have an upcoming exhibit and your gallerist really likes the three paintings you did but felt they needed two more paintings so you had a total of 5.  In writing, please tell me what are some ideas for the final two paintings that you might explore?

 

If 1 want to add two more paintings, the first thought that I have is to use the other two primary colors which correspond to the red one. Since black and white is universal, the primary colors will match and look like a series. The first painting’s background will be in yellow, and the texture will be vertically layered on. After, I will print out the subway station picture in 3 quantities and cut them into strips and put them together disorderly.   Then, I will use black and small round beads to randomly placed into different areas of the canvas, so it looks like a far view map. The next painting’s background will be a blue and it the blue paint will be layered diagonally. Moreover, I then print out the 72 from the subway station picture largely and place it in the middle. Additionally, I will put a switch on top of the huge 72 in the middle and so it represents access to the subway and switching it off meaning the subway station is closed. Also, around and on top of the printer 72 will be different small sizes’ written 72 by using a white marker. As result, these two paintings will be my additional paintings to the series.

 

You mentioned to me that you were inspired by the works of Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg. Please write a short paragraph explaining what part of their paintings and collage work inspired you for these works. Please be as specific as possible.

 

I was mostly inspired by Jasper Johns because of his layering technique. He uses wax in his background to make the painting thick and this is what makes his work looking so intense. The way his brush strokes was in different directions and you can see clearly of his uneven brush strokes. The brush strokes of his add another meaning to the piece and it looks aesthetic. If you look at his work of the American Flag, he uses one simple element, but because of the two factors that I have mentioned, it makes the work in depth and visually pleasing. As these factors have inspired me, you can reference the layering I did for the paintings.

 

Furthermore, from Robert Rauschenberg work, he uses a lot of collage and also using items that is 3D. Most of his work has layered items and also objects hanging outside of the canvas. For example, the work ‘Spread’, he added on two fans with wire dropping out of the collaged canvas. There are always some items with texture or boldness that pops out from the canvas. So, this was the main factor that I can reference to my pieces, where I have used items like wires, light bulbs, and plugs.