Exhibition TextJourney vs Destination is meant to be representation of how I interpretation our education at Reagan. Especially in the areas of Math and Physics. We are often fed equations and laws and taught how to use them for the purpose of not having enough time to learn every aspect of the units, but we miss out on the purpose of learning them. I understand how to use them, but I don't know when or why I am using them. It is almost as though we are just regurgitating the facts rather than actually understanding.
Planning/Experimentation |
Journey vs Destination
12in x 12in x 6in Tape and ink October 2017 |
Inspiration
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Inspiration for this piece came from the surrealist painter, Rene Magritte. His works focus on the use of imagination in order to distort reality. This made it possible to tap into the unconscious mind.
His work The False Mirror distorts the viewers point of view by using a bald eye with a cloudy sky in the background. This impacts the ways you can view it. Either you can look at it as though the eye is a lens you are looking through or you can view it as though the eye is looking at you. The second work I drew inspiration from was The Lovers by Rene Magritte. The theme of this piece is the inability to do or have what you want which is depicted using a fabric sheet blocking the two people's ability to have a passionate moment. Many of his works contain blocked faces which may be connected to the death of his mother. With this in mind it can be speculated that this is a recurring nightmare which is a common theme among surrealists. I tried to incorporate Magritte's theme and style using clay. His painting style is very smooth especially within The False Mirror. The out of place subjects in his works are also a focus I will include within my work. |
Process
ReflectionThe process of this piece was successful. The brain and the lines created in the brain stayed smooth and clear which really helps with the overall aesthetic. The lips are a bit simple, but it is still clear what they are. What is coming out of the mouth may not be universally be understood, but it is a good representation of how learning math and physics tend to go for me.
CritiqueMy work reflects my inspiration even with the mediums being so different. The barrier between clay and paint is strong, but the smooth style of Magritte's art is reflected within my work. I avoided making any of the textures too sharp as most of Magritte's paintings have no sharp edges or rough textures in the paint. Everything blends nicely and comes together for a unified work.
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I began this piece by creating the base of the brain. This was half a spherical shape. I then flattened the base so it could stand. Next I scored the whole base so that the rolled clay would fuse to the base and not fall apart. I rolled out some clay and then laid it on the base using water to turn the outer layer of clay into slip. In order to make sure they would stay on I also merged the bottom of the rolls with the base. It was a challenge getting the rolls to bend 180 degrees. In order to get them to bend without breaking i submerged the sections of clay in water and then worked it with my finders to slowly bend them. Once that was done I carved out the center creating both a hole for the mouth but also making it thinner so that it would dry more evenly. I then created the lips separately and added them around the outside of the hole opposite the brain.
ACT Connection1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your work.
My inspiration led to me using the symbols of the brain and the mouth together because it takes to very real things but combines them in an unrealistic way which reflects surrealism as a whole. 2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration? The goal of Magritte was to create paintings that cause the observer to question what is happening and why. He did this with the subject matter of his works. 3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, ect. while you researched your inspiration? Not everything has an answer or at least the same answer for everyone. Every piece of art is open for interpretation. 4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? Distorted reality and social issues were the focus of my research. Surrealism was influenced by Karl Marx and the goal was to encourage revolutionary ideas which led to the focus of dreams. 5. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? Not everything has or needs an answer. Sometimes the purpose for an artwork is to provoke the viewer. |
"The False Mirror". MoMA. https://www.moma.org/collection/works/78938
"The Lovers". MoMA. https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/rene-magritte-the-lovers-le-perreux-sur-marne-1928
"The Lovers". MoMA. https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/rene-magritte-the-lovers-le-perreux-sur-marne-1928