The final project for the first semester of Foundation 2D required us to create a set of 4 equations in the form of 12 squares (3 columns by 4 rows). These equations were about ourselves and how we are in different environments/settings.
To put it simply:
ME + SETTING = BLANK
When I first received the brief I was confused (as usual). How was I gonna create settings and different ways to portray myself but still keep the whole look cohesive and true to my design identity?
The first step to making some sense in all the madness was to create a narrative for myself. In typical Duane Fashion, I decided to use this project as a form of catharsis. To present something personal and in-your-face to viewers of my art and demand questions from them. After all, what’s the point of presenting work that’s only shallow and scratching the surface? Something comedic and light with no emotional depth is something I am not and never hope to be.
Ways to portray ME
I decided to portray myself by means of body parts:
- Eyes
- Mouth
- Hands/Body
- Feet
I felt that these parts allowed space for symbolism and backstory and they were necessary parts for basic human senses (sight, speech/taste, touch). I left out the ears because I felt I could do more visually with the parts I chose.
Ways to portray SETTINGS
Off the bat, I knew there were 4 distinct groups/relationships I wanted to go over in my work and these were a driving force behind the settings I chose to cover. With this assignment being a way to reflect on myself and how there will eventually be four (in reality probably more) facades and personalities I show, I decided on these four groups as I feel I present very different personalities whenever I am with each different group. These groups were:
- Friends
- Family
- Partner
- Myself
Next, I chose settings that revolved around these groups. To bring the settings back to something relatable and cohesive with my entire feel for the project of being a conversation within myself, I decided to centre everything around a home. My home in particular. This made my project much more authentic and personal and I headed confidently in that direction.
Putting it TOGETHER
I created working titles and equations and further brainstormed on my concept. This is what I came up with:
ME (MOUTH) + FRIENDS (in the living room) = LOUDMOUTH
Who I am when I’m with friends is someone who is loud, opinionated and dramatic. Especially when I’m with people I’m comfortable with, I quickly become the life of the party making inappropriate jokes and ensuring that everyone has a good time.
ME (EYES) + FAMILY (at the dinner table) = SPEECHLESS
Who I am when I’m with family is someone who is reserved and often restricted as to what I can say. Sensitive topics are avoided and as such leads to an emotional disconnect especially when dealing with issues of the heart. As I feel like I cannot express my views freely, much is said through unspoken means, symbolized by my eyes.
ME (HANDS/BODY) + PARTNER (in the bedroom) = SECURE
Who I am when I’m with my partner is someone who is submissive, loving and unapologetically clingy. I feel most comfortable with reassurance and can never stay mad at my partner for long. As an only-child that is otherwise selfish in all other aspects, I become quite the opposite when I choose to be with someone.
ME (FEET) + MYSELF (in the bathroom) = BROKEN
Who I am when I’m with myself is someone who is laced with self-doubt and insecurities. What looks like a tough, confident exterior is actually one that has been through past hurt and pain. From being bullied in secondary school to feeling like I’m not good enough, I face my inner-demons on a daily basis and am still on my journey towards self-acceptance and self-love. This is translated to my feet and my desire to keep taking positive steps towards a more positive self.
I placed the equations in order of emotional severity. The meanings of my work get more intense and emotional as I go down the line and in another sense, this order is also reflective of the importance I place to these groups in my life, an emotional hierarchy if you will.
Medium Choice:
Coming into this assignment (and ADM for that matter), I was sure of my strength and weaknesses. I pride myself as a graphic designer and photographer and for this assignment, I decided to be unapologetic about my medium choices. As I hope to enter the Visual Communication major in the coming academic year, I decided to stick to my guns and do what I do best – photography and layout. The Foundation 2D module encapsulates many things and inevitably overlaps with other foundation modules so I believe it is important to accept all aspects of what is termed ‘2D’ and Graphic Design.
Artist References:
I researched on mixed medium photography and photography collage artists and found a few that I was really inspired by. My aesthetic has always been clean and minimal and that was why I really appreciated these works.
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Brno Del Zou
Brno Del Zou is a French artist born in 1963 that specialises in photo sculptures. This brings photo collages to life and adds depth and texture to his work.
“Beyond the body itself and its beauty, there is its unity. Fragmenting the body, in this case, doesn’t mean cutting it up in order to dissolve it, it means trying to recompose it in the hope to achieve and create unity, an identity, perhaps the fundamental one, the one that supports all the differences, all the variations, all the points of view, which is saved despite everything, despite the light variations and the positions in the space, resisting any immediate apprehension, multiplying as it wishes, without ever losing this unity without which the body itself could not exist.” – Artsper
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John Stezaker
John Stezaker is an artist from the UK that specialises in photo collages. His “work(s) re-examines the various relationships to the photographic image: as documentation of truth, purveyor of memory, and symbol of modern culture.” – Saatchi Gallery
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I decided to incorporate the very clean-cut styles of these two artists in my artwork. To boldly present symbols and ideas but at the same time provide unity and harmony in all the elements and images I use.
The Process
I wanted to achieve a dark look for all my images. A black background with such that all focus would be on the elements in my photo. For that I explored different lighting setups, varying intensities of my strobe and the distance of my reflector till I got my desired look.
My set-up
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Un-retouched test shots from overexposed light to getting it nice and balanced.
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Setup for my shower shot that you will see later.
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I mainly employed these techniques to come up with the photos used in my artwork. I am proud to say that for this assignment, every part of it is originally photographed and no part of it is taken from other resources.
The Artwork
Emphasising the different body parts as a tool for my narrative. I chose a disjointed but still connected style of collaging and the way I lighted my photographs truly gave a clear separation between subject and negative space/background.
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How I chose to portray my settings were to follow this same style. As the secondary title of my project Fragments suggests, the elements I included in my work bear special meaning to me.
What I did was enter each space I wanted to feature in my work and stare/ponder. I asked many questions and came up with responses.
What did this space mean to me?
What emotions are evoked when I enter this space?
What makes this space different from the others?
I will try not to go into too much details but here are the compositions for my settings and a brief explanation of the elements and what they mean:
The Living Room
The living room in my house contains wooden furniture and a piece of decor that always interest guests in my house is the antique radio that still works to this day. As my mother barred televisions in my living room due to aesthetic reasons in the past, this was the only form of ‘technological life’ infected in the space. Other patterns like the wooden bench and side table are seen along with the carpet we purchased from Geylang Serai. In recent months, I’ve held parties at my house and would often drink with my friends, this juxtaposes old and new entertainment and thus I’ve used the living room as one of settings portrayed when I’m with my friends.
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The Dining Table
As this space symbolises the common space where my family gathers, I felt it was important to include the family portrait that sits adjacent to the dining table. Common objects like the bowls we use along with my cup and fork and spoon reminds me of home and eating with these missing would simply not feel like home. Rice is also a staple in my household and it’s included as one of the elements in this artwork.
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The Bedroom
A very personal fragment from the entire artwork, my blanket is seen to represent my bed. But beyond my bed, my bedroom represents my personal space. A space where I’ve made many memories with my partner and a space where I keep my belongings and secrets. The plaster is strategically placed on the heart of a stuffed toy I treasure a lot. Additionally, a Yankee Candle in the scent of Mandarin Cranberry is also an element that makes me feel like I’m home. It’s been a scent that’s familiar in my room for the past 3 years. Other personal objects are seen but for privacy reasons, you are welcomed to ask me personally what they mean/symbolize.
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The Bathroom
The bathroom, a place we sing in, think about life and confront our true self. Personal objects like my hair products, toothbrush and toilet roll are shown. A weighing scale is also seen too to subtly address the issue I have with body image and self-love. As this setting is supposed to be one that I only face with myself, the elements used are simple and not too flashy.
Colour Scheme
I first tried applying a layer of colour over my artwork. First rendering it with earth tones to and also trying more risky colours. This made my artwork really pop.
This effect was good however I felt it took away a lot from the emotion of these pictures. The meaning was lost and this effect was just too heavy.
After much experimentation, I decided on letting my pictures retain their original colours but add one more colour into the mix – RED.
Red is a truly dynamic colour that bears many meanings that I want to portray through my work.
Source: BournCreative
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By using such a universal and versatile colour, I was able to create a sense of cohesion and that tied my entire piece together as you will see in my final artwork.
The Final Piece
Hand Symbolism
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Source: Sun Signs
I decided to make use of my hands to express the last column of my artwork. These outcomes were derived from the first two columns and I felt that my hands were simple enough to understand and they also amplified the personal tone of my work. I was also inspired by the music video for Lady Gaga’s Applause where one scene saw her wearing a bra made of hands in a latex glove.
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Outcome #1 – Loud & Proud
The hand sign I am holding up is the symbol of peace and freedom and this is effective in communicating how I feel when I am with my friends. Not needing to filter anything I say and being able to speak my mind, there is much liberation when I am chilling with my friends.
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Outcome #2 – Stressed & Repressed
My hands are now seen like they are almost choking or strangling me and this is how I feel when I cannot be honest with my points of view when I am with my parents. My mouth is blocked shut and all I can do is express myself with my eyes and this symbolises me not being able to share my perspective.
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Outcome #3 – Assured & Secure
I’m usually independent and feel bad when I need to ask friends for help. This position of me leaning onto my (or presumably someone else’s) hands show how I become more dependent and submissive when I am around my partner. There requires a certain level of trust as well to close my eyes and let myself go, counting on the support of another.
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Outcome #4 – Wrecked & Imperfect
Ever had one of those days where you feel bad about yourself and just want to lock yourself in your room and not let anyone see you? I adopted this position of shielding myself from the viewer to create that sense of insecurity and low confidence. Shadows on the face also create that mystery and also that feeling of not wanting to be seen by the viewer.
Final Presentation
I decided to print my final work on one A0 mounted canvas so I could include all 20X20cm squares seamlessly. I also chose to add my title of my project and my name on the edges and let it bleed. This reinforced my central theme and idea of fragmentation that I used throughout my work.
In also came up with new captions for my squares and decided to let the last columns rhyme so that they had a ring and could be more memorable.
Reflection
I started this assignment very lost and confused but in the end, I’m glad I made use of my strengths and came up with a meaningful outcome. On a whole I am very pleased with my final work and hope viewers or my work will also share the same excitement I had when I was creating it.
