When I was given the self portrait brief, I knew that I didn’t want the film to be rather direct. I wanted to take myself on quite the journey and to understand myself through it. With the artist statement, it became clear that I was rather unsure with who I was, the pictures that I took reflected that. They weren’t related to me whatsoever, say for the lantern. They were everyday objects that alluded to who I was, or who I thought I was.
No.1
The image was taken in chinatowna and the text drew my attention immediately; its a self portrait project, what could be more applicable than “Hello, my name is”.
No.2
I was raised in with Chinese Culture and walking past a Chinese restaurant, I had to snap a photo of the lantern that was hanging at the entrance.
No.3
Shot at a playground, I saw a child playing in the sandpit, I was never allowed to play in the pits due to my mom being worried about the cleanliness of the area. Taking the image did make me reflect a little on my upbringing.
No.4
Taken at the NYU Bobst library, the neat rows made were beautiful, and I do enjoy reading, so there was a link to myself instead of it being a random snapshot.
No.5
As with my artist statement, I don’t really have any clue as to who I am, therefore planned works makes tremendous sense. I am planning to work on myself.
No.6
“No standing anytime”, I interpreted that as never allowing myself to be stagnant, to have to be constantly be in a place of growth or development.
No.7
A spinning swivel chair, confusion. Its a self portrait, I don’t really know myself at all, seems appropriate.
No.8
The image is of a regal figure that has bee painted on a mirror. I tend to think too highly of myself at times, while it never really stays. The mirror makes complete sense; I imagine myself to be this obscure figure, but when I stare at that figure for longer, I end up seeing myself, bringing myself back to earth.
No.9
A letter to parents from an elementary school, the words ‘your participation’ piqued my interest.
No.10
Hands in the clouds, it makes no sense, just like how I’m unable to make any sense of who I am as a person through a self portrait.
The concept for the film was me watching the film, having no prior knowledge of who I am, being shown these images and guessing how they pertain to me. Some of the images have been manipulated in that I’ve printed them out, taped them onto a wall and reshot them yet again. The flash that can be seen in the image is alluding to the film being watched by someone or something, in this case, me, through the text.
Still 1
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Still 10
I ultimately am confused with who I am after seeing the images, which is a reflection of my current being.
