4D – Assignment 2

Amongst the Crowd 

In our current generation, smartphones have dominated the whole world, causing people to helplessly become dependent on it. The impact has become so great that even in newspapers, it is inevitable that some pictures have a particular person or a group of people using a phone. Therefore, I cut out images from newspapers that shows someone using a phone in the background or when he or she is not the main subject in order to express people’s obsession with smartphones.

Planning 

I wanted to do on a topic that is somewhat related to my first subject which was on mean comments. Since mean comments are related to social media, and technology, I have decided to do on a topic about people’s obsession with phones. 

Original Idea

Initially, I wanted to use an idea where I manipulate objects onto people’s faces. Each picture will have a different object chosen, and it would also symbolise something different. Here are the images that I had originally picked:

 090717train500 4096 

171983-cell-phone-use-public 12422028_538868  497051544

120924045135-mobile-society-china-olympics-horizontal-large-gallery 20150215080935c8c57_550 bn-pb379_keywor_p_20160724132827 chinacellphones-1

 deadwalkers even-if-youre-not-playing-pokmon-go-its-easy-to-spot-who-is-just-look-for-the-mobs-of-people-looking-down-at-their-phones looking-down-at-phones

enhanced-buzz-wide-23702-1444041992-7 gty_walking_texting_02_jef_140915_4x3_992 mob-2 mobilezombies

 smartphone smartphone-train tumblr_odgtyz8qek1rwjpnyo1_1280

passengers-using-mobile-t-002 people-looking-at-phones-14 phone pokemon-go-goes-live-in-bangkok

Most of the images had people looking down on their phones which shows their dependence to their phone.

Ragged clothings are usually worn by poor people, and in a worst situation, by slaves. Hence, I wanted to used a ragged shoe to symbolise their enslavement to the phone.

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However, Robert said that it would be more interesting if I took my own pictures instead of taking images online, but I felt that I would not have enough time to complete it in a week. 

Another suggestion he gave was to take images from newspapers instead. Which leads me to my finalised idea.   

Final Idea

While I still have the aim of trying to show people’s obsession with smart phones, the newspaper gave me an idea of finding images where there are “accidental” shots of people using their phones in the background. The purpose of newspapers is to provide daily information about the world, which is very formal and serious. However, it is unavoidable that there are some shots that has people in the background using their phone. Thus, I decided to cut them out those images.

Testing some layouts:

a  b c

My Line is Emo – Final

Emotions

1) Anxiety

anxiety

Definition: feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

Thin criss cross lines with rough edges, the paint starts light, becomes heavier towards the center and become lighter again. This tells the feelings of being hesitant to do something because of the uneasiness present in the individual.

I used a fake pine tree leaf loaded with lots of thick pain and varied the pressure used to create these marks.

 

2) Frustration

frus

Definition: the feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something

Vertical, horizontal and diagonal strokes with varied thick and thin lines shows the energy released from the individual especially when he/she lashes out on something. 

dsc_1534

I tried this method a few times to see which one will turn out better.

3) Jealousy

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Definition: thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, concern, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of status or something of great personal value

I had an imagery in my mind from cliche dramas/ anime where the 3rd party will want to kill the other women out of jealousy, over a man. Hence, I use the sharp edges of a palette knife to create sharp and intense criss cross lines, which mimics someone slashing a knife around.

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I tried with a roller as well, but the effect was not as intense as what I had imagined because of the blurry edges. 

4) Isolation

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Definition: The process of someone remaining alone or being left out from others.

I took a piece of paper and tried to arrange it in a circle and placed it on a rubber mat for mono printing.  For the right side, I used the fake pine tree leaf to make markings to suggest the “others” that the ball is being left out from.

4  3  2

These are other attempts that I tried out.

5) Sorrow

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Definition: a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others

I had an imagery of people crying, hence the did vertical strokes downwards on a rubber mat with a palette knife. This caused a wiping effect which suggests wiping of tears, and the outcome of the print looks like it is sinking, as it being pulled down by gravity.

6) Pride

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Definition: a feeling of deep satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, and being proud.

Using a roller dabbed with paint, I created a variation of thick black squares. This was to represent a firm, confident, and bold individual. The shape also suggests a form of protection over something important that someone takes pride in.

7) Agony

5

Definition: extreme physical or mental suffering.

Using a roller again, a created a extremely thick line. The texture created looks very fuzzy and there is a gradual change to the right. The change from light to dark shows unity and contrast, which suggest what happens when a person dwells too much on something sad.

8) Loneliness

dsc_1792

Definition:  no friends or company

When people have no friends, they travel to places alone, hence I used footsteps to represent that using pen. The jagged lines for each foot step suggests the disturbed mental emotion in the person’s mind of not having any company. Towards the end, the foot steps start to deviate away from  a straight line. This is because sometimes when an individual started to think too much they start to sway to the side a little.

dsc_1328

Originally I wanted to use a ratan ball and roll the paint in a straight line, but it didn’t work out and Ms Shirley said that it does not show loneliness.

9) Uneasiness 

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Definition: Lacking a sense of security; anxious or apprehensive.

The imagery in my mind were strong vicious waves in a stormy sea. People will feel tensed and insecure about their safety during a storm especially out in the sea. Using the rough side of a sponge I borrowed from my classmate, I twisted and turned the sponge without letting it go from the paper. The dark black parts gives the eyes a main subject line to follow.

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I also tried with both the soft and hard edges but it did not work out as well as the one above. 

10) Suffering

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Definition: the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.

When someone is suffering it is as if the person is dying slowly hence I suggest that with a fading white subject.

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I tried it 2 times but I prefer the one above.

11) Excitement

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Definition: a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness

When I think about happiness, I think about fireworks, because watching them explode in the sky beautifully make me excited.

12) Nervousnessdsc_1799

Definition: the quality or state of being nervous.

dsc_1766

Using ink for calligraphy, I used a crumpled paper to dab on the surface. I was thinking that when a person is nervous, the individual will start to shake, and this effect suggests some sort of shivering. The blacker parts suggests that the person is shivery more vigorously.

 

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Originally I tried with the ones above but Ms Shirley said that these show uneasiness instead because of the thin wavy broken lines.

 

13) Joyful

dsc_1798

Definition: feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness. 

dsc_1765

Using ink again, I painted the cap of the ink bottle, such that I can stamp it as circles which imitates the visuals of bubbles. Looking at bubbles makes me satisfied and happy as well but in a more calm manner. There is a constant shape and size, and the spacing gives harmony.

 

10 11

Other stamping that I tried out. 

14) Peaceful

dsc_1797

Definition: free from disturbance; tranquil.

I was thinking about ripples in puddles/ ponds which gives a peaceful feeling. The blacks suggests chaos but because it’s in a circle, it shows controlled madness. It can also suggest the calm after a storm.

15) Spontaneousdsc_1810

Define: performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus.

Inspired by Jackson Pollock, I used this to suggest spontaneous. When I was a child, I loved to splash paint this way as well, but of course it was way messier.

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Before the final effect, Ms Shirley suggested to add more bigger splashes to the center 

16) Love

15a

Definition: a strong feeling of affection.

Using a brush with poster colours, I applied it without leaving the paper in a manner that represent the heart beat. When people are in love, their heartbeat will increase intensely. The curves suggests a more positive feeling.

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This was experimented using mono print, but I wanted to try using other mediums hence, I did not use it.

17) Sentimental/ Nostalgia

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Definition: of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia

When people think about their past and memories,dsc_1507 it is all faded and vivid.However it comes back to you the more you think about it, which explains why the grids are more firm with sharp edges at the right side. I used scrap paper that was cut out while trimming and arranged it neatly on the rubber mat. After which, I sent it for printing.

 

18) Relief

dsc_1807

Definition: a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distressdsc_1767

The soft blurry edges of the curves suggests a sense of calmness. The lines are very “flowy” which enhances the feeling further. I used dark and thick charcoal pencil to create this effect. 

 


Final Presentation

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