Tag Archives: materials

IS 2: Updated Final Project

Since last week I have attempted to construct the plastic box myself. However, due to the thinness of the box and lack of materials I was unable to construct a box that looked clean cut and professional. I then went to the Container Store and purchased a clear display box. I then stylized how the boots will be displayed inside the box. I decided that having them smashed in the box made it look more visually interesting than simply placing them side by side as planned.

Cowboy Boots in Display Box

I have also created a prototype of the “oil” I will be using in my project to reference the masculinity of the oil industry. Oil is an integral aspect of Texas and is really what helped create the idea of a “Texan Man”. When one thinks of oil the never think of women working in the oil industry whether it is mining or being a major oil exec. I believe this will be a key element in my project which explores  gender in Texas.

To create this oil I used glossy modge podge mixed with regular black acrylic paint. This created a nice rubber-like texture which was easy to manipulate and once dry can be easily peeled off plastic.

Oil Prototype 

I am still deciding if I want to include a coyote or other small animal skull in my piece. This object will reference the masculinity of hunting and how it is a major aspect of ranch culture. I would place the skull on top of the display box and possibly cover it in the oil too to make the piece more coherent.

Coyote Skull 

For the flower element of the piece which references femininity and nature I will be using small wild daisies and cactuses. The daisies will be put inside the box along with the cowboy boots. They will not be covered in oil as I plan on also using them as a reference to “purity” and how it is expected of women. The flowers in my piece also allude to the idea of a “Southern Belle”. The cactuses I plan on placing outside the box and covering in the oil material as cactuses are a more masculine plant and are often seen on ranches in West Texas.

I have also finalized my decision with the video element of my project. This video will be project alongside the project. I plan on displaying the project on a table covered with white cloth to not distract from the piece and make it more aesthetically pleasing. The projection will not be over the piece but nearby.

Below is a link to the video I will displaying on a loop.

 

IS2: Bridge 2 Final

  1. My topic is gender and power. I began my diptychs working with a single image of the Queen. I then created a larger series featuring the Queen, but this time it was the UK banknotes which feature her. After these diptychs I decided to expand on the idea of gender and power. I liked my idea about money and the faces on it as well therefore I combined the two. The final outcome was 2 diptychs, one plexi, one mirror. These diptychs each had one panel featuring the US currency which all feature only men on them. The other panel had a collection of banknotes from all around the world that feature women. Through these iterations my topic evolved into a larger discussion about gender, power and misogyny in the US.
  2. I explored materials such as marker, paint, gold leaf and plastic. I also attempted to explore silk screen. The material I found was most successful in supporting my work was the mirrored plastic as it added another dimension to the piece making it an installation piece. The gold leaf was also successful as it exaggerated the idea of power, opulence and wealth in my diptychs featuring the Queen
  3. The markers were not successful at supporting my topic as it added no other meaning to the piece.

My topic touches upon a large variety of contexts. While the majority of the content in my diptychs is an exploration of history specifically monarchy. It can also be interpreted as an exploration of pop culture as the Queen has been used as almost a kitschy symbol in punk music, she has been painted by pop artists such as Andy Warhol and her life has been made into a TV series. I also explored politics through my use of banknotes in my pieces. Through the use of currency I also explored economics. By using banknotes, a daily object in the life of most people, I connected my topic to contemporary culture and consumerism. It is difficult for me to point out exactly what context my topic as a part of as it connects to such a variety of issues.