At the beginning of this semester, my goal was to grow creatively as a designer throughout this studio course. By pushing myself to use new mediums and try different ways of thinking, I believe I succeeded in doing this. To view my ideation process presentation with sketchbook pages, click here.
Bridge I, Play
(see final film in process presentation)
- I think it is time I free myself of perfectionism and declare true individuality in all things I create, no matter the materials.
- I think using film as my focus medium can help me improve my creative abilities because it pushes me to think differently about how I communicate.
- I think using multiple mediums will allow me to incorporate various perspectives into illustrating my colonizing object.
- I think silent short films are a beautiful means of expression, even more so if combined with melodic music or rhyme.
- I think one-line contour drawings of the human body are the most complex yet straightforward works of art.
- I think there is no definition for poetry; anybody can be poetic if one is brave enough to express emotion.
- I think I often search for my spirituality in the mundane; with my film, I hope to resiliently convey this.
- I think when we see other people manifest religion, sexuality, or gender, even if we don’t identify with their characters, their confidence inspires us to be just as weird.
- I think one should freely explore spiritual practices similarly to gender, sexuality, etc.
- I think choosing “the idea of God” as a topic is intimidating, proving that I chose my material well.
- I feel like I love to watch films, but it is not my best medium, which is why I’d like to play with it more.
- I feel there is no rule book for producing art.
- I feel art is a form of therapy not only for the artist but also for the viewer.
- I feel annoyed when I can’t get a good visual shot because I cannot create one; it must be natural.
- I feel troubled by my emotional craving always to have an answer to a question; faith is insufficient.
- I feel confident that humanity is intertwined in such a way that we, and all existence, are neighbors.
- I feel we are living on the same rotating rock for the reason that is beyond human comprehension.
- I feel disillusioned when I feel lonely, even as I inhabit the Milky Way.
- I feel self-expression, including religion, is a touchy subject because it takes a lifetime to become secure in who one is.
- I feel when I talk about spirituality, it encourages my morale.
Bridge II, Association, Personal v. Public
Series of Contour
Ink, watercolor, cardstock cutout on bristol. Acrylic on a glass frame. A rose.
I continue to investigate identity, the feminine or masculine, with a childlike play of composition.
In our beginning stages of creativity, we begin with a sun in the corner, a smiling stick figure, and a hill or two. Embracing the simplicity of existence in our first-ever illustrations. No color or complexion, only outline. The left image is of a transgender woman photographed by Zoe Leonard in 1960. They and the last figure are depicted as statues with missing limbs, like that of Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty. A masculine hand is reaching for a white rose, a symbol of innocence and femininity.
Bridge III, Lyrical Affect
A Corsetted Masculinity
Film on iPhone, balloons, wire sculpture, ribbon, flowers
I continue to illuminate gender identity and the restraint society tightens on body image.
The corset is a symbol of feminity, and society continues to tighten the strings. We ultimately pop—body dysmorphia, anxiety, eating disorders, all thanks to the pressures of our youth. Women especially have such a standard we are held to. If we do not wear makeup, we look sickly. If we are showing too much skin, we are whoreish. But if there’s not even skin showing, we are conservative and unattractive. It’s exhausting keeping up with the trendy body types; silicone injected curves seem to be as of recent day.
The blue balloon represents masculinity, and a mockery of gender reveals. A gender we are to be held accountable of straight from birth, it’s unfair. Heartbreaking that people would instead take their own life than express themselves wholesomely; the brutality to follow is too much to bear. How ironic that there is a blue breast in a corset, something society finds uncomfortable. A peculiar blend of masculinity and feminity most see it. I’ve always been firm in my feminine identity, so I am inspired by seeing other men, women, and all other humans in between being authentic. Bravery. I also depict body hair and its organicness. The far-right sculpture depicts a body with no arms or legs, a sincere work of art.
