Olivia

Level 6 VisCom AUB.

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HASHTAGS

Research tagged under #livfmpresearch Development tagged under #livfmpdevelopment Outcome tagged under #livfmpoutcome

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3D Visual Tests on Illustrator

I experimented with 3D designs to experiment with my chosen colour scheme and to just try something while I tested how the colours worked together. Although I don't think I will use them, I enjoyed playing with the 3D tool and loved how these patterns came out.

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The Male Gaze vs. The Female Gaze - According to Feminist Theory.

The Male Gaze: The Male Gaze sees women in the context of heterosexual male desires. Women’s bodies are usually perceived as objects, as well as their personalities, for men to ‘view, own, and conquer’. There are countless examples of the Male Gaze throughout the history of media.

Where did the term Male Gaze come from?

1972: John Berger (British art critic, novelist, poet, painter) coins the term in a 1972 docuseries (Ways of Seeing) where he argued with the traditional way women are viewed and presented in Western European Art. He argued that there was a long ‘cultural and artistic history of portraying women as passive objects to please men’.

1975: Laura Mulvey adopts the term and uses it in her “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” essay. She took the idea and used it to analyse the portrayal of women in Hollywood, exposing once looked-over misogyny. Mulvey argued that Hollywood relied on scopophilia (the sexual pleasure of looking, a Freudian theory). ‘Women are the bearer of meaning, not the makers of meaning’.

Mulvey also stated that The Male Gaze is often depicted in 3 ways:

1. How men view women 2. How women view themselves 3. How women view other women

Mulvey’s psychoanalytical theory still has an influence on media studies, and has also helped Hollywood begin to move on from these negative ideologies.

Criticisms of The Male Gaze:

The emphasis that the Male Gaze has upon appearance can and has been extremely damaging to women’s self-esteem and self perception. It influences the way a woman sees herself, as when they see other women in the media being subservient objects to please the men, it’s easy to believe that her being and her mind is second to her objectified body. ‘The Male Gaze’ is ultimately just terminology that describes and justifies the objectification of women.

The Female Gaze

The Female Gaze is a concept that focuses on viewing women as individuals as opposed viewing them from the voyeuristic point of view of a male protagonist. 

The Female Gaze is becoming more common in modern media, for example in shows and films such as Girls (2012, HBO), or Someone Great (2019, Netflix). Someone Great’s (directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson) plot follows Jenny who is navigating the break down of a long term relationship with the help of her best friends. They go on nights out in the town, dance in the kitchen in their comfy underwear and pyjamas, and give each other honest and sound advice. Films about female friendship are becoming more and more popular, with other examples including Girls Trip (2017), and Booksmart (2019). These coming-of-age/friendship based films are typically directed by women. Able to give their input and use their own female experience gives these films a relatability that is rarely found in other films, and these are often the movies that represent women the most accurately. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-male-gaze

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-male-gaze-5118422

https://ciaracatherine.medium.com/the-female-gaze-does-it-exist-and-what-does-it-look-like-26d0ba6d85f6

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The 7 Female Archetypes

In Goddesses In Everywoman: A New Psychology of Women (1984), Jean Shinoda Bolen identified the 7 main female archetypes. Though these archetypes are very specific, most women can find themselves comfortably identifying with one of them - and you can even take personality tests to see which category you may fit into. These archetypes do not define a woman, but rather puts her into a subcategory with others that share her way of thinking, feeling, and acting. 

I want to use some if not all of these archetypes to inspire the characters I will be illustrating for my book, as I believe it will give me more of a range of personalities and will make the book more relatable for different women.

1. The Lover Archetype

Women who fit into The Lover archetype are often very tuned into their own sexual energy, and radiate confidence and playfulness. They are passionate and sensual, and crave both connection and freedom in equal measure. Often considered the ‘centre of attention’, ‘life of the party’ or ‘the drama’. Women in this category are often very self assured, magnetic, and promiscuous - however may face fears of abandonment and rejection, which causes them to be more comfortable when in the presence of others. They may also struggle when facing a lack of external validation and their self esteem may be affected by the opinions of others.

2. The Maiden Archetype

Women who find themselves identifying with The Maiden archetype may be more empathetic and compassionate, as well as still having a connection to their inner child. Women in this category may be ‘people pleasers’, and due to avoidance of taking action they become passive bystanders, and can sometimes possess a victim complex or view the world in a very pessimistic way. They’re often self-conscious and can be clingy, but only through fear of abandonment or rejection (which also makes them very vulnerable to co-dependency within relationships). The Maiden archetypes may have also experienced hardships earlier in life, which lead to their passive nature. 

3. The Mother Archetype

Women who fall into The Mother archetype are natural caretakers, and ooze female authority. These women are often very responsible, logical, and protective over others and can often end up neglecting their own needs in order to take care of those around her. The Mother archetypes are very ‘giving’, and can often become upset or confused when their attempts to give are not accepted or appreciated. They’re also at risk of sabotaging their own achievements in order to help and support others who are struggling. Those of The Mother archetype are also extremely emotionally accessible, and usually give cohesive and sensible advice. 

4. The Queen Archetype

These women are often popular, charismatic, and graceful, but demand respect and attention from everyone around them. They are often driven and ambitious, and are fuelled by their want and need for power and success (often found in power...CEOs, politicians, businesswomen). Once trust is gained, women of The Queen archetype are fiercely loyal and protective. However, these women are often very easily threatened, and can become jealous and vindictive when they feel as though they are not in control. They may also be more interested in material/more luxurious things than other women. 

5. The Huntress Archetype

These are women who typically live on their own terms, with desires for complete freedom from constraints. They do not want nor need external validation, and often prefer a life in which they don’t have to rely on anyone else. They’re often very committed to their interests, and you’ll also often see women of The Huntress archetype being protectors of other more vulnerable women/people. They’re also often very passionate about social causes (sexism, homophobia, racism, etc.) and display very strong thoughts and emotions in response to the oppression of others. However, these headstrong and independent characters often fear vulnerability, and will become comfortable in their independence, rejecting help and support even when they need it. They may also be so confident and headstrong that they do not think to consider the emotions of those around her - which may lead to conflict.

‘I am no bird’ and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will’ - Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre.

6. The Sage Archetype

Considered to be the rarest of the 7 archetypes, these women tend to be driven by their desires to learn and to know - both in the physical world and within herself. They can be described using the term ‘head over heart’, meaning that they’re very logical and do not often let emotions cloud their decision making. They often value academics, intelligence, and maturity, and this strategic way of living often gives them a calm and collected aura. They can often be perceived as hostile, however they’re most likely aware of and protective of their personal boundaries. Women that find themselves within this category may have a hard time apologising or admitting wrongdoing, as their moves are usually thought-out and calculated, and admitting that they have made a mistake is not easy for them to do. These women may also find it easier to socialise with men due to their rational and calculated personalities, and they can easily be viewed as ‘emotionally detached’ due to their logical tendencies. 

7. The Mystic Archetype

These women are considered to be the most spiritual of all the other archetypes, with The Mystic women being much more focused on their inner world, with inner-peace being their top priority. These women are often very self aware and intuitive, and tend not to engage in typical small talk. Instead they tend to engage in deeper conversations, learning about or teaching others. They’re considered to be soulful, serene, meditative, and self-confident - also often empathetic. The Mystic archetypes are also lovers of nature and the natural aspects of the physical world (astrology, geology, etc.). They’re often considered to be ‘old souls’, introverted, and perhaps overlooked in conversations with other people due to their passive and whimsical nature.

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Early Planning

Name Ideas: - Girls’ Girls: The idea of women supporting other women, being a ‘girls girl’. - Girls Girls Girls: Well known and much used phrase, used in song titles and in classic neon signs for strip shows/sex work. Reclaim of power over the phrase. - Girl Code: The idea of a ‘girl code’ suggests interactions between women.

- Mums My mums kiss on my lips and then forehead whenever I leave the house

According to study (https://www.kidspot.com.au/parenting/study-finds-motherdaughter-bond-is-stronger-than-any-other/news-story/e645a8460f6e0f741af56c2fa4e11df0) mother-daughter relationships are the strongest relationships of them all.

The study found that mothers and daughters have very similar anatomy when it comes to the part of the brain that regulates emotions. Which is why we clash with our mothers, but also why they are our greatest comforts well into adulthood.

Illustrations:

- Grandmother - Mother - Me  - Girls laying together - Girl Pictures: Justine Kurland

2. 7 Female Archetypes

Introduces illustrated ‘characters’ and also encourages individuality and the diversity of female relationships. The reader will most probably be able to recognise each of these archetypes and apply them to a friend or someone they know, making it more personal in their head. By using ‘characters’ in the book I will be able to illustrate more realistic scenarios and more intimate interactions, and also connects the reader with the girls in the book.

3. Explaining the Feminine Interactions

- The Meadow Theory:

Our female ancestors were sent out to forage berries and look for food. They would remember where the food was, where the animals were, and any other information that was relevant to their safety and survival. This can be seen today when women take note of events that have happened around them so that they can later share this information with their friends.

Example: Morning debriefs after a night out in bed and ‘gossip’.

- Going to the bathroom together

Women are innately conditioned to seek others as a form of protection, and even today we are subconsciously very aware of our vulnerability. So this is less of a social interaction, and more of a supportive one. However it’s super fun to 

- squeeze into cubicles together - hold the door with the broken lock - just have a break from the noise

- Can You Check Me?

A term that will be familiar to all people who have periods, but asking each other to check your trousers to make sure you have not bled through them.

- Illustration of two girls constantly checking in funny positions. Double Page.

- Asking Strangers for Sanitary Products

ActionAid poll results showed 100% of women would help another in a period emergency (195 respondents). Respondents said:

‘It is important we support each other in this way’ ‘If I had the means to save someone else from that kind of stress, I see no reason why I wouldn't do so’ ‘I would absolutely give a tampon/pad to anyone who needed one. I am sure all my friends would too.’ ‘Solidarity with no strings attached’

In a UCLA study (conducted by Laura Klein and Shelley Taylor) showed that women are more likely to help others in a time of stress, whereas men are more likely to respond with a fight or flight response. This is because of the oxytocin levels in men and women, as they are heightened by oestrogen and reduced by testosterone.

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Sebastian König

I like the use of blocky primary colours in Sebastian König’s work. Although the illustrations are simple they are bold and fun to look at, and through looking at his work I found ways to create interesting and detailed illustrations using very standard shapes and colours. I also like the grainy, paper-like finish of his images.

I want to illustrate a story with minimal text, and I found inspiration from König’s Jamming, in which he created a ‘story’ about what it’s like being stuck in traffic. Sitting in traffic is an extremely mundane topic, and he managed to make an amusing publication without minimal/no use of text to describe what is going on in each illustration. The idea comes from König’s own experiences of driving south for holidays with his family - and being stuck in traffic jams.

I want to demonstrate the day-to-day life of women, and show examples of feminine solidarity that we experience every day perhaps without even noticing. I think that using such a simple style of illustration will be a good opportunity to discover how best to portray the things I want to, as without any text and minimal detail I will have to work hard to get an accurate message across.

König’s work also reminds me of the well-known Piet Mondrian paintings, which use only blocks of colour and thick black lines. I could create grids if needed with black lines, and stick with primary colours or work with a more feminine colour scheme. However I’m also considering using greyscale for most of the publication, and using colour to emphasise important points in my story.

https://www.sebastiankoenig.net/editorial/

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Stefhany Lozano

Stephany Lozano’s illustrations, similar to Sebastian König’s work, have a grainy finish that I think looks really good. She also works from personal experiences, so that it ‘touches [her] heart and [she] can really put everything into it’. 

The 1st and 3rd images I have used as reference are from a project Lozano released called Kurz Davor (’The Moment Before’ in German) which explores the feelings people experience before a panic attack, something that Lozano had personally experienced herself. The theme of the project is slightly negative, with panic attacks being an unpleasant experience, and this contrasts with her use of bright colours and fun use of shapes and composition. She used the idea of ‘being confined in a box’ to represent the idea of being trapped in your own head, which I think is an interesting way to show this.

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Oyow

Oyow’s illustrations often explore the complexities of relationships and connections, and in the images referenced you can see how they use plants to show the divide between two people in the same image. 

The first image, although the two people are sat together there is use of green, looking like long grass, that separates them even though their bodies appear to be touching. I'm also, once again, drawn to the use of block colour and simple illustration style, which manages to describe the relationship dynamics without doing anything too explicit.

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Citizen Relations - The Super Legit Book of Really Real Egg Facts

Citizen Relations designed this book full of strange and random facts about eggs, which was created to emphasise the ridiculousness of misinformation. Although I want to try and use minimal text, I like the use of short and snappy phrases to accompany the images in the book. The colour scheme is also really interesting, using ‘egg like’ colours and lots of heavy black to stand out against the other pale colours used.

The yellow underline separates the part of the text that resembles ‘clickbait’ and ridiculous ideas and statements about how eggs are bad for you, and then the strange illustrations depict the rest of the sentence. I think that the theme of the book is very funny, and it’s a clever way of proving the absurd nature of misinformation, especially that we see in everyday media.

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Sebastian Schwamm

More bright and block-coloured illustrations using predominantly primary colours/limited colour palettes from Sebastian Schwamm. 

Schwamm collaborated with Habito and Rocky Flinstone to produce a graphic erotic novel, which explores the decrease in libido between couples who are going through the stress of taking out a mortgage. Similar to the The Super Legit Book of Really Real Egg Facts there are pages that use minimal text, usually displaying dialogue within the erotic story, that are accompanied by Schwamm’s colourful illustrations. I like the way he has turned objects into body parts, and the juxtaposition of fun, bright and child like cartoon images being turned into phallic and yonic shapes.

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Bedroom Timelapse

I took a time-lapse video of my best friend and I while we sat in her bedroom at home. The intention was to show a personal example of my interactions with the other women around me, and how intimate and comfortable these friendships can be. I want to use these screenshots as realistic references for illustrations, but I also very much like the video itself. I did not plan for it to get as dark as it did towards the end, but like the way that it looked in the time-lapse.

I took screenshots of my favourite stills:

I like this symmetry in this screenshot, and the way that although we are sat apart our knees are touching.

Lots of subtle bits of pink on each screen.

From this angle we appear to be touching again, with Coralie’s arm and my elbow. We are also laying with our heads very close together while we speak.

Another of us just laying together, heads close together and my knees are touching her arm.

I like the way our legs are at the same level across this screenshot, and we look like we're in a ‘box’ with the way we are angled.

Knees touching from this angle.

And this moment in which I was showing Coralie something else on my phone, but our heads are together while we’re watching.

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Viktoria Fartushna ‘Yeah, I’m Jealous...’ Zine

- https://heyzine.com/flip-book/220010969c.html#page/26 - https://www.behance.net/gallery/132678613/ILLUSTRATED-COMIC-ZINE-ABOUT-JEALOUS?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cillustrated+zine

Viktoria Fartushna’s zine explores feelings of jealousy, and the different aspects of it (anger, anxiety, and self harm). She says that the feeling of jealousy is felt most in regards to her romantic relationships, and that this causes troubles in her life.

The illustrations are done mostly in a thick black pencil, and you can see the franticness behind the drawings from the way they appear to be scribbled onto the pages. I also like the way the pages are printed green as it gives the illusion of a ‘green eyed monster’ when she illustrates herself going through the emotion. 

The green and black is broken up with use of purple and lilac. In some images it looks like flames, and in others it sort of looks like parts of the brain around the page. The colour contrast really emphasises these shapes, and to me it looks a bit like heat against the green - which reminds me of the hot flushes, hot head, and visceral feelings that come with jealousy. 

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Spotlight Message Search

I spotlight searched the word ‘Love’ in my conversations with Abi, Alice, and Megan, as these are the three I speak to most on this particular platform (Facebook Messenger). It was interesting to look back and see how much my friends and I have expressed that we love one another just through one messaging platform.

Telling your friends you love them strengthens the bond between you and is also a way of showing affection without having to be physical with the other person. Platonic love and relationships are just as important and fulfilling as romantic love and relationships. All of my friends are single, so a lot of the love and affection we get in from each other when we need it. 

https://forge.medium.com/why-you-should-tell-your-friends-i-love-you-be99ce4b2304

- According to an ongoing Australian study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1757078/pdf/v059p00574.pdf) people with more friends lived on average 22% longer than those with less friends. - ‘Action is especially important to friendship, which carries no familial expectations or marriage license. If you don’t take action to mark it as important and keep it alive, a friendship will not survive’ - Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman in their book, Big Friendship.

Tell Your Friends You Love Them

https://tellyourfriends.love/about

An organisation that celebrates friendship, started by Matt O Brien when he started to use #tellyourfriendsyoulovethem when posting pictures of him and his friends on Instagram. After unexpectedly losing a friend in 2016, Matt began to use the hashtag to spread the message ‘Tell Your Friends You Love Them’, adding ‘it’s pretty simple really’.

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Platonic Love

Platonic Love and Romantic Love can appear very similar, however there is no sexual or physical attraction between two people with a platonic bond as there may be with two people with a romantic bond.Platonic love can be very fulfilling, as it can tend to all the emotional needs that we typically try to satisfy through romantic connections. 

Platonic Friendships often consist of:

Closeness: - Sharing things in common - Having similar interests - Feeling comfortable in one another’s company  - Being involved and aware of the events and parts of each other’s lives - Physical intimacy

Honesty  - Sharing what you really think and feel - Defend in public, discuss in private - Honest and sound advice when asked for Acceptance - Easy and comfortable being yourself around the other person - Feeling ‘free’ around the other person

Understanding  - Respecting one another’s boundaries and needs for personal space - Understanding what the other needs, when, and why. - Knowing why the other may act or feel a certain way without having to ask

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Sketches

I found some old photos of me and the women in my life, and chose a few in which we are physically connected.

A sketch I did of some old photos I found of my mum and I. I used to kiss my mum with an open mouth as a baby, which she has always told me was one of her favourite things I did as a child. I have always been very close with my mother, and we have been through some very tough things together. My mum was 19 when I was born, so at this point in my life I can really relate to where she was in her life when I was little.

Abi and I have grown up together, so I decided to quickly draw out some pictures of us I could find. There is a photo of us sat in a pushchair together when we were toddlers, another of us (bottom) at 16, and (far right) at 21. 

A more detailed drawing of a photo of me and Alice. In this photo we were about 21 and it was the first time we had seen each other out of the first lockdown.

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Photographs

I have box of printed photographs, lots of which are of me and my female friends. I went through this box and found photos in which my friends and I are touching (hugging, holding hands, kissing, etc.) and laid them all out as reference images and to display how physically intimate platonic relationships between women can be.

Abi and I accidentally started a ‘tradition’ selfie that we try and recreate every couple of years. These are very special to the both of us as we have grown up together, and it’s a really fun way for us to watch how we both change together over the years.

These are old photos of Abi and I as babies.

Here are some photos of my friends and I between 2010-2020. In the top row there are photos of Abi, Megan and I at 13, and then a photo of us together at Megan’s 21st Birthday Party.

Other photos I picked out of me and my chosen 5 friends.

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Poems [1]

Of You I Know So Much Nicholas Gordon https://www.poemsforfree.com/friendshippoems.html?utm_content=cmp-true

Of you I know so much, and yet Nothing that I know Encompasses just who you are Or explicates your glow. For you I would do anything, As you would do for me. Knowing this is breathing life: Intense, serene, and free. No one else so touched my soul Deep in, where none can see.

- I liked this poem for the message it sends, and the lines ‘for you I would do anything as you would do for me’. It gives off the idea of loyalty and unconditional love, which is something about female friendships that I find really special. - It could be used alongside illustrations of Coralie and I, as we live together and the fact we have lived together for many years now means we know each other very well and have a very close and personal relationship. - However I do think the poem is quite cringeworthy - and is a bit too vague.

Our Friendship is as close as the closest sisters Nicholas Gordon https://www.poemsforfree.com/friendshippoems.html?utm_content=cmp-true

Our friendship is as close as closest sisters, Two flutes with a single melody, Interchanging runs through changing vistas, Notes like birds alighting on a tree. To some, friends are like books upon a shelf; Yet you to me are like another self. This music will not stop for other misters, Nor will it pause for princes, real or elf. However life may wend, we will be we.

- The first and final line of this poem really stood out to me, and I think are relevant to the picture of Abi and I. The idea of sisters suggests that we have known each other from a young age, which we have. - ‘However life may wend, we will be we’ is also relevant to the same illustration of Abi and I, as we have become more physically distant over the course of our adulthood but the relationship does not change.

The Happiness I Feel at Your Achievements Nicholas Gordon https://www.poemsforfree.com/friendshippoems.html?utm_content=cmp-true

The happiness I feel at your achievements Reflects the happiness you feel at mine. Friends expand the pleasure of such moments, As mine in yours, and yours in mine, combine. The same when we look forward to our futures: So much more unfolds when there are two! Populating your proposed adventures Gives me a joy that mine must give to you. We've been through much, and will be through much more, But traveling together is more fun. Whatever life and love may have in store, Two is always preferable to one. Your graduation thus becomes for me Far more sweet than mine alone would be.

- This poem makes me think of companionship, and shared experiences between friends. - I love the way it focuses on the idea of being excited about your friends accomplishment, as it links back to the idea of ‘girls’ girls’. 

To All My Friends

May Yang https://poets.org/poem/all-my-friends

That I could be this human at this time breathing, looking, seeing, smelling

That I could be this moment at this time resting, calmly moving, feeling

That I could be this excellence at this time sudden, changed, peaceful, & woke

To all my friends who have been with me in weakness when water falls rush down my two sides

To all my friends who have felt me in anguish when this earthen back breaks between the crack of two blades

To all my friends who have held me in rage when fire tears through swallows behind tight grins

I know you I see you I hear you

Although the world is silent around you

I know you I see you I hear you

- This is one of my favourites out of the poems I have collected, as I think it is one of the most personal. - Once again, it describes loyalty and looking after your friends. - Slightly sad and a bit depressing.

Hug O’ War Shel Silverstein (2006) https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/hug-o-war-by-shel-silverstein

I will not play at tug o' war. I'd rather play at hug o' war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins

- I think this one sounds slightly childish, which could mean it would work alongside an illustration of my friends and I as children. - ‘Hug’ instead of ‘Tug’ suggests gentleness.

I Love You Roy Croft https://www.lovemydress.net/blog/wedding-readings/i-love-you-roy-croft

I love you, Not only for what you are, But for what I am when I am with you.

I love you, Not only for what you have made of yourself, But for what you are making of me.

I love you for the part of me that you bring out; I love you for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart And passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can’t help dimly seeing there, And for drawing out into the light All the beautiful things that no one else had looked Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you have done More than any creed Could have done To make me good, And more than any fate could have done To make me happy.

You have done it Without a touch, Without a word, Without a sign. You have done it by being yourself Perhaps that is what Being a friend means, after all.

- I love the ambiguity of this poem, and how it could be related to a range of different relationships. This, for me, links back to the idea of strong friendships being the same as romantic relationships, and the only difference between the two is the presence of sexual attraction.