Identity Essentials

The Essence of Gender (& Fertility)

Gender and fertility are two things a woman should hold close to her and be proud of.

Eggs are a direct representation of femininity and fertility.

A bright green sprout represents the life that is formed.

The water added to the dry dirt represents hope and possibility of life.

The dry, barren dirt represents the infertility that some women face.

Exquisite Corpse

The sunny fish carols to mean roses.

The chilly cereal roars at the green dragon.

The wet bear runs to the funny pool.

Color Project Photo Possibilities... We shall see

(some portion of this one)

(or some portion of this one...)

(or maybe this...)

Lecture Homework - March 5th

The original purpose of this photo was for my Senior Project in high school. I had my sister dress up like some sort of tribal woman for me to photograph, pretending I was a National Geographic photographer. I kept this photo because I basically keep every photo I take. I'm afraid of getting rid of them because I'm afraid I'll need/want them sometime. I chose this photo for the assignment because the colors and lines are so vivid. This photo is significant to me because I took it for my project and used it successfully.

There is a strong emotional relationship between the subject - my little sister, and the photographer - me! I think the shot was so successful because Faith was willing to dress up and portray the emotion that she did. The symbolism created by the outfit and face paint has no emotional connection to us, but Faith's willingness to participate was very helpful.

Originally, the context this photo was to be viewed was for a fake presentation of "National Geographic Photographer of the Year". The slide with this photo was on the screen for maybe 45 seconds; enough time for me to talk about the photo some and it's context. I think this photo is interesting enough to be enjoyed my most age groups. I hope I'll remember this photo in ten years. It shows my little sister's willingness to be helpful in my projects.

This photo was just a quick snapshot my little sister took of me at our town fair at home. I had been taking photos of her (as always...) and she wanted to take some of me. I kept it because Faith took it of me and I think it is good for photographers to keep some pictures of themselves. I chose this photo for the assignment because it freeze frames a great memory of time with my sister and friends. I will always be able to look at this photo and others I took this weekend and smile in memory of all the fun times that came with them.

Just as in the first photo, the subject and photographer have a strong emotional connection. Faith and I always have a fun time together and I think this photo exemplifies this. I think we have a very mutual friendship - very open to each other's thoughts and feelings.

This photo is meant to be viewed by someone who is wanting to experience what we were doing or look through moments. I probably will not remember this specific photo ten years from now but I will always remember the strong friendship my little sister and I share.

Seeing that I don't know the person in the photo, nor do I know who took it - I don't know the purpose of the photo. Probably, like most photo's like it, it is just taken to capture a moment. It looks like the lady is on a trip, out of her element, and wants to be able to remember it for years to come because she had someone take this photo of her. I chose it for this part of the assignment because I really have no idea about it, nor does it have any significance to me.

The emotional relationship between the photographer and the subject is unknown. Although, judging by the distance between the woman and the camera I would say they do know each other. The smile of the woman makes me feel like she is enjoying what she is doing.

This photo is probably to be viewed when going through other photos from this trip - to bring back memories of time shared with others on the trip. I will probably not remember this photo in ten years because I have no emotional tie to it. I don't know the subject, the photographer, or the meaning/context this photo was taken.

Modular Madness Final

Modular Madness is over!! After my "bottle cloud" falling apart a few times and me suffering a painful hot glue burn I have presented my project to the class and can call it done! I ended up making the shape of the glued together bottles more abstract in hopes of making it feel more cloud-like and to create some movement. I hung the caps to the bottles from a few of the bottles with fishing line; using both white and blue caps. The structure/durability was the least satisfying part of my project. I am very thankful that it held together long enough to present to the class for grading.

Word as Image Final

Well, as we kept working and sharing ideas I finally came up with two ideas that I thought would work and that I was pleased with. I ended up using the work I had put into the "top" piece but completely transforming it in Photoshop. I scanned the image in and inverted the colors and turned it 180 degrees. Erasing the word "top", the image turned into a sun or explosion. I decided to elaborate on the sun idea and use the word "sundance" as my word of focus for the piece. I really like the final product of this one, and so did many of my classmates.

My other piece was an idea that I wasn't sure would work or turn out the way I had imagined, but it did. I scanned pieces of crumpled newspaper to create a 'text'ure for the image. In order for the piece to be contradictory, to fulfill the assignment, I added the word "new" in Photoshop. I made the text a little bit transparent so it would be clearly visible but not take away from the depth and values in the crumpled paper.

I am very pleased with both of my final images. I learned how to properly mount pictures for successful presentation. I enjoyed this project.

Module Progress Report

MODULAR MADNESS IS UPON US!!!! When the assignment was introduced, I immediately had thoughts and ideas running through my mind. Most of which would end up being pretty expensive. On a college student budget, I needed to find something to use that would be free or very inexpensive. I decided upon plastic water bottles. I went door to door in my dorm one night to collect everyone's empty bottles. To my surprise, I collected quite a few. I washed them ALL out in the laundry room of my dorm before I began working with them:

The next day (or so), in class we were to begin experimenting with our modules. I decided to not use the non-water bottles (gatorade, soda...). I glued them in a very geometric/square shape and was impressed with how the hot glue was holding them together.

We'll see where this project goes....

Word as Image Progress

When Bill assigned this project we were all initially very confused. I don't think anyone really knew what was expected of us. As we started to produce ideas and hang them on the wall for brief critiques though, I think we all got a better grasp on the assignment. I started with a very literal image for the contradictory composition. I put the word "top" at the bottom of the page and filled the rest of the space with text. The text that filled the page was arranged to create a gradient, if you will, or weight/darkness. Here is a picture of my first idea for this:

Bill said this was interesting but that it wasn't as good as it could be. I agree... I'll keep playing with the idea.

Cardboard Final

Well, here it is! After many hours of manipulating my cardboard, I have produced this shell. My favorite parts of it are the curve on the bottom half and the attention to detail of shape on the top. The middle is what isn't working well for me. The connection of top and bottom isn't very realistic/looks sloppy. I am pleased with the final product though. Here are a few pictures of the final product!

Sloppy connection of top and bottom

Top of the shell

Shell! ...with some clutter in the shot, unfortunately

Photo Safari

{pattern/rhythm-translation?-formal-progressive}

gutter in the street near HKC/White Hall - 2/2/2011 - 4:30pm

{rhythm-translation?-formal-progressive}

blinds in Vick House lobby - 2/2/2011 - 4:35pm

{texture-translation-precision-not progressive}

tennis shoe - 2/2/2011 - 8:20pm

{pattern-translation/rotation-formal-not progressive}

light in hall of Vick House - 2/2/2011 - 4:23pm

{pattern-translation/reflection-precision-not progressive}

winter sock - 2/2/2011 - 8:21pm

{pattern-translation-precision-not progressive}

bed sheets - 2/4/2011 - 11:40pm

{pattern-translation-precision-not progressive}

jeans - 2/2/2011 - 8:22pm

{pattern-translation-informal-progressive} (the web)

back home in Dripping Springs, Tx (I took this picture a while ago0

Cardboard Progress Report

As I typed the title I felt like a second grade teacher sending a report home for the parents of a child mid-semester. Here is the progress your (cardboard creation) has made during the (duration of project).

The assignment is to take a natural object and recreate it - on a huge scale - using ONLY cardboard and Elmer's glue.

Here is my progress in chronological order:

{preliminary sketches}

{sketch with skeleton of shell and actual shell}

{shell with skeleton}

{skeleton with cardboard pieces giving it height}

{covering with craft paper to make it look smooth}

{applying pressure to make sure the bonds are strong}

{top of seashell taking shape}

{wet cardboard is MUCH more pliable than dry cardboard}

{tape holding the cardboard in place while the glue dried}

The cardboard seashell is due on Tuesday! I'll post final pictures then :)

Human Dot Photos

For this assignment we were to pick three photos from a newspaper and recreate them with only six black dots of any size. Wherever your eye led through the newspaper picture, your eye should lead through the dot creation. Here are my newspaper photos with the black dot pieces that correspond with them. (In order of personal preference)

After we talked about these, we were to just take two of our dot creations and take completely different pictures of our own and use people of the dots. I don't think I completely understood the assignment, but here are my photos - with people as the dots.

January 20, 2011 {Weight Bearing Newspaper Structure}

With instructions to bring a stack of newspaper and a bottle of carpenter's glue to the first class meeting, I was anxious and excited to see what we would be doing with it. After the instructions were given, I was glad we were already going to be problem solvers. We were instructed to build a structure that would hold a cinderblock as high off the floor as we could make it.
To be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first. That block was heavy! But I knew it wasn't impossible if the teacher was setting aside such a large amount of time for us to do it. My first thought was of a project we did in grade school, and learning that cylinders/tubes/columns are very strong structures. Without really thinking or planning, I tightly rolled up a piece of newspaper into a long, skinny tube. After making this, I realized it wasn't going to be strong enough, nor did I have a plan to use it. The stability of the long, skinny piece wasn't going to be enough for the large piece of concrete that would be placed on top. So, I started making the opposite - short, and wide cylinder shapes out of newspaper. I thought these would be more stable. I measured the width of the block and made four of the shorter cylinders to support each corner. Then, I made some thin, longer rolls of paper to hold the corner pieces together. I let this first layer dry some and tested it out with the cinderblock. I was very pleased with the initial stability of the structure. So, I kept going - making nearly identical layers and stacking them on the first layer.
Eventually, I came up with this:


I let it dry some and tested it out. Unfortunately, it wasn't stable or sturdy enough to support the weight of the cinderblock. I added some extra support between layers by rolling up paper just like the ones on the corners to put between corners, in hopes of being able to distribute the pressure from all the weight being laid upon the structure. With time ticking, I hoped for the best with this quick solution. There wasn't time to start over and make a structure that would be worthwhile. So, with more support added to the initial design I left it as is and hoped it would be sturdy enough after the glue dried some. I really enjoyed getting messy with this project - I think not being afraid to get dirty while working on art is an important thing. I thought the build-up of glue on my fingers was worthy of a photo. So, here it is:

After Lunch, we all came back to test the structures. I enjoyed seeing all the different ideas and creations based off the same directions and supplies available. Sadly, my structure did not support the weight of the block. The corner supports were not lined up exactly so when the weight was applied they collapsed... twas a sad sight. BUT! I am proud of the effort I put into building it. I worked diligently through the whole time available. Here is a photo of my structure after the cinderblock was put on it...

If I could start over and do the project again, I would put more support throughout the entire structure instead of just around the edges. I would also be sure to allow time for the glue to completely before applying any weight to it. I think ambition will be something to I have to work on for the whole semester. Dreaming big and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I'd rather "fail" while trying something outrageous than "fail" while playing on the safe side.

am•bi•tion |amˈbi sh ən|
noun
a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work
• desire and determination to achieve success : life offered few opportunities for young people with ambition.
ORIGIN Middle English : via Old French from Latin ambitio(n-), from ambire ‘go around (canvassing for votes).’