Theories of Identity

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Social Identity

Social identity is a construction of symbolic order through language and culture, whereby we take on an identity or discourse of self, based on an illusion of wholeness (Barker 2012, p.227). Social identity is a socially fabricated social identity for the purpose and function of society. It is the way in which others view us in social situations. Barker (2012, p.228), explains that sex and gender are social and cultural constructions, that are not part of our biology. ‘Erotica’, was a controversial art book, produced by Madonna in 1992. Madonna went against socially accepted norms and as a result created a social identity for herself.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Fractured Identity

Fractured identity is a post-modern, decentred identity, whereby society has influenced or caused this rupture of the subject (Barker 2012, p.225). Barker (2012, p.225), claims 5 post-modern influences at work; 1. Marxism, 2. Psychoanalysis, 3. Feminism, 4. The centrality of language and 5. The work of Foucault, causing this fragmentation within. ‘Exhortation in Red Ring’, depicts an image of a post-modern artist’s view of the fractured subject. This image can be evaluated on many levels, however the focal point of this image is the decentred identity within the subject. The external forces being the red burning sun, appear to be influencing a change in the identity of the subject.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Creative Identity

According to Karwowski (2016, p.99), creative identity is an important aspect of the self and works as a mediator and moderator of creative potential and creative achievement. Identity being the common and not so common traits of your being, what differentiates you from others (Barker 2012, p.223). Creative identity is an extension to identity, a creative artist has an identity and then further has a separate creative identity. Monet’s unique creative style of painting shown in ‘Water Lilies’, has become his trademark or creative brand, separating him from other artists. Artists often differentiate themselves and their creative style based on their creative identity.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Authenticity

Authenticity operates as a critical function in how people reason about objects, others, and themselves. Different interpretations of authenticity may be adopted when discussing the same subject. ... ‘One can use authenticity not only to refer to the provenance of an artwork (Was the painting created by Pablo Picasso or by someone else?)’, but also to refer to an artist’s motives’ ... (Newman & Smith 2016, p.609). ‘Self Portrait’, raises many questions regarding authenticity. What were the genuine motivations in painting this? Was Van Gogh motivated by collectors? Was he rejecting what society wanted? Was he embracing his failures? Was it a sincere, true reflection of how he was feeling?

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Creative Influence

Creative influence can be diverse and described as one creative works and/or creative individual, affected and/or influenced by another creative work and/or creative individual. This can be analysed by a number of significant similarities between the works or one artwork to another, and/or by one artist to another artist (Hassan 1955, pp.66-68). Barker (2012, p.206), describes it as a mash-up of creative ideas. ‘Air Desert’, uses the same subject or landscape to create alternate versions of the image through the use of various tones, colours and textures, to reflect the illusion of various realities in time and space. This artwork has many influences and similarities from other historical periods of art history.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Sensory Knowledge

Sensory knowledge is the knowledge of all in the world that we obtain, through our senses of our skin and feeling. It is an extension of our mind and all our organs are involved in the possession of this knowledge. Our eyes are an extension of our ears, just like the tongue is of the nose, in knowledge and knowing. One who is truly knowledgeable, is someone who’s entire body is knowing (Howes 2005, pp.27-28). Art appeals to our senses and our minds, ‘Terraforms’, is an art installation which plays on our sensory knowledge, as we connect our mind and senses in unity.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Overdetermination

Overdetermination Mansfield (2000, p.29), explains that every behaviour is complex and has psychological plural explanations, including the most trivial of behaviours. Trivialising neurotic symptoms of the unconscious mind is a way of pushing away or suppressing the unconscious in everyday life (Mansfield 2000, p.29). ‘Dame Autumn has a mournful face’, captures movement, lighting and technique methods invented by Atkinson Grimshaw, in this painting. This intentional technique developed, may have actually been unintentional and perhaps the most trivial of gestures of the unconscious and overdetermined mind. Atkinson Grimshaw may have been consciously overdetermined to create this technique, however the unconscious mind may have been the true creator of this technique.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Unconscious

The unconscious operates separate and opposed to the conscious, the consciousness tries to push away and suppress the unconscious mind (Mansfield 2000, pp.27-28). The unconscious according to Bennet & Royle (2016, p.157), related to dreams, hallucinations and visions, madness, trance, and/or absences of self. Fink (1995, p.7) explains that the unconscious is unintentional, impulsive and acts as the other aspect to one’s self. ‘The Birth of the World’, is an artwork created by Miro’s unconscious mind, created with unintentional, impulsive and uncontrolled application of paint. This painting by Miro appears to be child-like and similarly to the unconscious mind, children often act out impulsively.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Essentialism

Essentialism according to Barker (2012, p.221), is a Western concept which assumes timeless, universal, limited and fixed core essence of self (social labels), ‘Cape Queer’, is an image of a queer (masculine/feminine) person, depicting social/cultural labels of their sexuality. One of the central focal points of this image is the tattoo ‘Born this way’, which suggests that their sexuality is a fixed core essence of themselves. Many argue that essentialism is a negative view of identity and that identity is rather cultural and language based (Barker 2012, p.221). The other images depicted on this artwork are all stereo-typical labels from Western culture of what being ‘gay’ looks like.

[jdashartdesignphotography]

Subjectivity

Barker (2012, p.220), describes subjectivity as the position and process of being a person and the way we become that being; a product of cultural experiences, including how one sees themselves. Bennet & Royle (2016, pp.151-152) explains, humans are subject to powers beyond their control and are dependent on them (environment and others), right back from the beginning of conception. A child is dependent on their mother who bears them and is influenced by their environment and experiences. ‘The Three Ages of Woman’, shows the subject as a product and condition of the environment (Child, Mother and Old Woman), all three subject products are influenced by external powers.