ANNIE FINK @annefink-blog - Tumblr Blog

ARTS 290: PROJECT 1 TIME

Here is my TIME project!

ARTS 290 PROJECT 4: PROJECT STATEMENT

My goals for this project, formally and conceptually speaking, include representing the idea of the memory I have of my grandparent’s home in an aesthetically interesting way. I thought I would do this by photographing the same objects that immediately come to mind when the memory of their home is triggered, which include: an old 50s style rocking chair, the syndicated TV show from the 80s Matlock playing on an old TV, and stale cookies in a tin box. In each photograph I am in a different location yet the arrangement of identical objects in each image are the same to represent the eternal and displaced connection I have with my grandparents home as it drifts and emerges throughout my life. I wanted to display the photographs in a sporadic form around the room to emphasize the idea of a memory of a place emerging at any time and location. Yet, I also wanted to present the photos in an informal fashion by simply thumbtacking them to the walls in order to highlight the personal and family-photo-esque type of connection of this memory by casually hanging them as I would any family photo. Because my grandparents are no longer alive and their home has been torn down and rebuilt, I also think the temporary nature of the pushpins shows a kind of transferred sense of place that kind of drifts around and randomly appears on the wall. Its interesting to consider that such a strong and meaningful connection can be made to a place that no longer exists and furthermore, a memory that can continue to live on as if it never changed.

The video we watched in class on Place featured the artist Pepon Osorio, who really got me thinking about what it is that connects us to a place. What came to mind after hearing him and the other artists speak is that our memories of certain places and the experiences and people that we encountered while in those places are the core of how we connect to them. This led me to consider my subject matter of the memory of my grandparents’ home. Whenever the memory of my grandparents home is evoked, I immediately think of those objects in the photographs and vice versa. While meeting for the pre-critique review, I asked myself if a memory was strong enough to adequately carry or represent an idea of place in an artistic form. I am confident that this memory is one of the strongest connections I have to a certain place and its one that allows me to remember how wonderful they were and how much I adored spending time with them in their home. I miss my grandparents very much and I think about them a lot, especially in the past few months as I have become my own person and wish I had gotten to know them better as individuals.

The materials I used in the project included the following: chair, tin box, cookies, printout of Matlock, old television set, small TV-dinner table, myself, a digital camera, tripod, a car, and the prints of the photographs themselves. I thought the materials lent themselves well to the concept of place because they are a direct representation of my memory of my grandparents’ home and they allowed me to present how I remembered it being. Moving everything from location to location was at times inconvenient but there was no better way I could think to visually express my connection to this place than to physically set up and take down the objects. I did have a concern about what I would be wearing in the photographs and whether or not it would matter in terms of how the viewers interpreted the work or if it would influence the visual expression of the work. I decided to not worry about what I was wearing because I couldn’t think of a reason to not wear the same clothes in each photo.

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

ARTS 290 PROJECT 3: PROJECT STATEMENT

This work is about identity and the idea that our identities are always in a state of flux. I liked the part of the reading that discussed this aspect of our identities because I could relate to it quite personally. “Related closely to the concept that identity is constructed is the concept that identity is not fixed or consistent…The forces that influence the construction of identity are not stable, and thus identity itself is always in flux” (Identity, p. 114). The idea of flux is one that describes a state of change of evolving and growing in to a new version of the old. Personally, I have become someone different than I have ever been before within the past few years. I decided to change my career path and peruse my love for the arts and education. This project is a representation of how my life and progressed from a young age and to my future self and how my identity changes along with it. I am proud of the identity I have at this stage in my life, but am also eager to see how I develop a new sense of identity and how it will change as it is in flux. I suppose the evolving or adaptive nature of identity is what appeals to me. The ability to be able to transform your sense of self is a comforting thought because it gives us the power to improve ourselves or change for the better.

The materials I used consisted of colored pencils, matte frame, wood frames, and drawing paper. I also used an electronic tool to virtually simulate what I will look like in the future. I took a photo from when I was about 7 years old and uploaded it to the face-aging software and it produced images of me, as I get older. From those reference images, I drew portraits of myself from a young age to my current age and to my future self at an older age. After completing the drawings, I framed them with matte board and put them all in wooden frames. I also attached hardware to the backs to hang them properly on the wall for gallery display.

I also think it is relevant to mention the importance of digital versus hand-drawn images. To me, the use of digital media to produce an image is much less formal than an image created by hand. The formality of drawing these portraits that were produced by digital media was a paradoxical idea I wanted to emphasize and call attention to. Additionally, the notion of honesty and the reality of using hand drawn portraiture versus digital portraiture that becomes distorted and changes form through its creation is another aspect of this project I thought was an interesting point. The idea of a digitally produced image makes a work less honest, and it loses a sense of authorship that is important to the work’s expression and the artist’s message.

I will display it as a series of three portraits all hung level and next to each other on the wall. I chose the triptych idea or the series of three images because they represent the idea of a pre, current, and future self and how identity is always in a current state of change.

#PROJECT 3 #MY PROJECT 3 #IDENTITY

PROJECT 1: TUMBLR POST #9

Upload photo documentation of installation Project 1 – I have posted the photo documentations on my Tumblr blog, take a look!

Project 1: Weekly Photo Documentation and Field Report Upload – After observing my project 1 installation, I can see that things are changing. Although these changes are happening very slowly and probably too gradually to differentiate between last week and this week by just looking at it, I know its continually decomposing. I am quite surprised how well the colors in the flowers have held up against the weather and all the other external influences it’s endured. I think the conceptual mindset is focusing on the idea of time and what things connote or we associate or imply the passing of time. For example, if you were to look at a photo marked “Installation Documentation Week #8” and then look at another photo marked “Installation Documentation Week #9”, one would deduct or assume that the progression of time has caused change, regardless if whether or not you can actually see the physical change from one photo to the next.

#PROJECT 1 #MY PROJECT 1 #TIME

Project 1: Tumblr Post #9 - Weekly Photo Documentation!

#PROJECT 1 #MY PROJECT 1 #TIME

PROJECT 4: STATEMENT OF INTENT

FORM: This project will be a display of a group of photos hung around the classroom in an unstructured fashion, and is kind of a mix of photography and conceptual art. Each photograph will be in a plain 5 x 7 inch frame and will show an arrangement of a group of the same items existing in a different place or environment. These items include an old television set (that somehow features the syndicated TV series Matlock), a light-brown lay-z-boy chair, and chocolate star rice-cake cookies in a tin box. The arrangement of the objects will be the same in each photo and will be situated something along the lines of a TV in front view of the reclined lay-z-boy chair, with an unwrapped and half-eaten rice-star cookie placed on the right arm and the remaining cookies in the uncapped tin box, resting on the seat of the recliner. The different places in each photo will be unplanned, and basically I will chose the environment to take a picture in based on when and where I happen to be or what place is most convenient to photograph. I am aiming to have at least five different locations.

PROCESS: I will first gather the objects I have listed above (assuming I can find each of them without any problems). Then, I will physically transport the items around to different locations (using either my dad’s truck or my car) and arrange them in the same position and take a photograph. After I am satisfied with the number of different places I have photographed, I will print or develop the images and place them in frames that I have purchased. After this, I will arbitrarily hang each photo around the classroom for display.

CONTENT: The intended meaning of this project is that the personal connection we have with a certain place and the feelings and memories that are evoked through that connection is a drifting, eternal entity that continues to occur throughout our lives and in countless situations and is something that can never really be taken away from us. The objects in the photographs represent the memory I have of my grandparents home. Their home has been torn down and rebuilt, and they are no longer alive, however, when that memory of their home is awakened, those specific items come to mind, and I am immediately taken back to a place of comfort and positive experiences. The different locations in each photograph represent the reoccurring quality of the memory I have of my grandparents home and the everlasting connection to a place that is meaningful to me in various points in my life. I decided to hang each photograph randomly around the room to further emphasize the idea of the unexpected nature of a memory of a place, and that it can occur anywhere in any location. I also decided to frame the images because I wanted to express the powerful ability of our connections to take us back to a place that we remember so vividly.

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

PROJECT 1: TUMBLR POST #8

Upload photo documentation of installation Project 1 – Take a look at my Tumblr blog to see the photos of my installation from this week!

Project 1: Weekly Photo Documentation and Field Report Upload – I posted the photographs of my installation on my Tumblr blog, below :) My installation has been outside for about 2 months now and I am just starting to see the petals on the flowers changing and beginning to turn brown. There is virtually no water left in the jar and the stems and all the green parts of the bouquet are either at the end stages of drying out or are already completely dried out. I will say, however, I am surprised how well the physical arrangement of the piece has maintained its original form considering the weather it has endured. Although its colors and textures might be changing, the basic look of the installation has not changed all that drastically. From a conceptual standpoint, the installation has continued to be a representation of the passing of time and shows how our ideas, feelings, and memories associated with certain objects continue to exist regardless of the physical deterioration of the object itself.

#PROJECT 1 #MY PROJECT 1 #TIME

Project 1: Tumblr Post #8 - Weekly Photo Documentation!

#PROJECT 1 #MY PROJECT 1 #TIME

POST CRITIQUE RESPONSE

I am most proud of the presentation of my piece and the way it was portrayed to the audience in its final display. I thought the idea of flux was presented well to viewers and however, I would have liked to have found some way to communicate my using the aging software or to let the viewer know how I arrived at theses images and the story behind them. I do plan on thinking about how to portray to the viewer the background of the age simulation software in a visual representative way. I learned about how the medium (colored pencils) are non-forgiving and that to master them takes time and careful planning. I also thought a lot about my identity in the past and what it is now and what it is going to be in the future. I think I could consider continuing this line of work. I really appreciated and thought Matt’s idea about putting it in a gallery setting with the corresponding thumbnails somewhere on the wall was a good idea and I could see it being effective. I also thought about adding the additional portraits would add the effect, as well. I really liked doing this project, it was interesting and fun to explore with the digital and formal aspects of art.

#PROJECT 3 #MY PROJECT 3 #IDENTITY

ARTS 290 PROJECT 3: PROJECT STATEMENT

This work is about identity and the idea that our identities are always in a state of flux. I liked the part of the reading that discussed this aspect of our identities because I could relate to it quite personally. “Related closely to the concept that identity is constructed is the concept that identity is not fixed or consistent…The forces that influence the construction of identity are not stable, and thus identity itself is always in flux” (Identity, p. 114). The idea of flux is one that describes a state of change of evolving and growing in to a new version of the old. Personally, I have become someone different than I have ever been before within the past few years. I decided to change my career path and peruse my love for the arts and education. This project is a representation of how my life and progressed from a young age and to my future self and how my identity changes along with it. I am proud of the identity I have at this stage in my life, but am also eager to see how I develop a new sense of identity and how it will change as it is in flux. I suppose the evolving or adaptive nature of identity is what appeals to me. The ability to be able to transform your sense of self is a comforting thought because it gives us the power to improve ourselves or change for the better.

The materials I used consisted of colored pencils, matte frame, wood frames, and drawing paper. I also used an electronic tool to virtually simulate what I will look like in the future. I took a photo from when I was about 7 years old and uploaded it to the face-aging software and it produced images of me, as I get older. From those reference images, I drew portraits of myself from a young age to my current age and to my future self at an older age. After completing the drawings, I framed them with matte board and put them all in wooden frames. I also attached hardware to the backs to hang them properly on the wall for gallery display.

I also think it is relevant to mention the importance of digital versus hand-drawn images. To me, the use of digital media to produce an image is much less formal than an image created by hand. The formality of drawing these portraits that were produced by digital media was a paradoxical idea I wanted to emphasize and call attention to. Additionally, the notion of honesty and the reality of using hand drawn portraiture versus digital portraiture that becomes distorted and changes form through its creation is another aspect of this project I thought was an interesting point. The idea of a digitally produced image makes a work less honest, and it loses a sense of authorship that is important to the work’s expression and the artist’s message.

I will display it as a series of three portraits all hung level and next to each other on the wall. I chose the triptych idea or the series of three images because they represent the idea of a pre, current, and future self and how identity is always in a current state of change.

#PROJECT 3 #MY PROJECT 3 #IDENTITY

PROJECT 1: TUMBLR POST #7

Upload photo documentation of installation Project 1

– see photo

Project 1: Weekly Photo Documentation and Field Report Upload - Here is the updated image of my project 1 so far. As you can see the flowers are still in tact some what but they are definitely deteriorating as the weeks go by!

#PRJOECT 1 #MY PROJECT 1 #TIME

Project 4: PLACE

Project Idea 3. I was considering continuing the same artwork idea I had for project 2 and create another visual board using mixed materials. However, this time I would focus on using elements that remind me of the place that I am in in my life at this point. This is more of a symbolic idea about place rather than literal.

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

Project 4: PLACE

Project Idea 2. I thought about the idea of place and how it relates and is valued in my life. The concept of a map also interests me and I thought about combining all of the places that are most relevant to me and my life in to one cohesive map or representation like a map. I am unsure about the form and how I would create it, though.

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

Project 4 Ideas

Project Idea 1. I was interested in the idea of panopticon from the reading and thought I might combine by love for dioramas with the idea that we are always being observed in any place we are in and make a diorama of our class. I might use a fish tank or create all the things out of clay, just like you would see in a natural history museum.

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

PROJECT 4: DIGITAL IMAGE RESEARCH JOURNAL

1. David Hockney

A Bigger Splash

FORM: The work is created by acrylic paint and canvas.

CONTENT: The message of the work is the simplistic yet idealistic form of life, in this case a beautiful California day.

PROCESS: Used the acrylic paint and an image from memory or from a reference photo to paint the artwork on canvas.

WHY: I chose this work because I love this painting and I thought it was a good representation of an idea about place.

2. Frida Kahlo

My Grandparents, My partents, and Me

FORM: This painting was done with oil and tempera on zinc surface.

CONTENT: This painting might be about how she relates to two different places and the meanings she holds within each place.

PROCESS: I would assume that she would prep the surface and paint on the zinc with the oil paint and tempera.

WHY: I thought this work was relevant to the project theme of place because it shows how the feelings and values we hold with each place can be visually represented.

3. Diego Rivera

Pan American Unity

FORM: This is a series of different panels painted by Rivera and combined in to one cohesive mural using oil paint.

CONTENT: This is a mural of all the different social and cultural aspects of the mixing of Mexican and America worlds that Rivera experienced.

PROCESS: I think that he created each panel and painted them as one complete piece using

WHY: This work was relevant to the project about place because it shows the many different places and the cultural differences in each. It looks at place from a cultural point of view.

4. Robert Smithson

Spiral Jetty

FORM: This is a form of land art created as a sculpture from mud, precipitated salt crystals, rocks, and water. Earthwork sculpture is also a name for it.

CONTENT: The meaning of the work might be about the ever-changing places we live in and how the earth recreates itself with every generation in to a new place.

PROCESS: I am unsure about how he made this but I think he probably had a lot of help moving and constructing rocks and mud in a certain formation.

WHY: I chose this work because I thought it was a good representation of how artists can create place in a literal sense, as well.

5. Charles Russel

Water for Camp

FORM: This is a large oil painting on canvas.

CONTENT: I think this is about the native American life and how they lived in a place of tranquility and beauty. It is a window into a different place in time.

PROCESS: I would think he first imagined the content of the painting and how to compose it and then primed and painted the artwork.

WHY: I chose this painting because it reminded me of the incredible dioramas of native American life used in natural history museums.

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

Here are my artworks for the digital Image research journal!

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

Reading Response 4: PLACE

In response to the reading on place, I was unsure about how I would understand place from an artistic point of view. However, the reading explained the many different ways artists and theorists look and consider place and how it can be used as a vessel for artists’ messages. I thought the point about place from a cultural point of view was the most relatable version of place. As the reading says, place from a cultural perspective is an area in which we can behave and interact and exist within our personal habitat (Place, p. 71). However, this is a fairly broad way to look at place and made me consider that may be there is a more precise or acute way to look at place in terms of artistic representation. This point was further touched on in the reading when it discussed the value of places and how there are very different values held within each place based on the circumstances that happened there and how the people in which they interact understand the place personally. I also thought it was interesting when the reading discussed the differences in challenges artists face depending on whether they work in 2-D or 3-D media. It was an interesting point that those artists that work in 2-D must create a sense of place using artistic methods and those who work in 3-D must work to capture the place in which the artwork exists. The reading made me want to make a diorama because I am fascinated by natural history and have always been a fan of the beautifully created dioramas that they have in museums.

#PROJECT 4 #MY PROJECT 4 #PLACE

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

ANNIE FINK