Digital Footprint 2.0

Since my first post about my digital footprint, it has really grown. I got instagram, twitter and pinterest. Looking at my digital footprint now, it still feels weird to see me as other's see me. Previously I only used social media sites for fun, but I discovered over the past semester how useful they can actually be. A lot of my art inspiration comes from things I see on pinterest, and by following my favourite clothing brands on instagram I can get a head start on sales and promotions! I think that social media started off as being something purely for entertainment purposes, and is now a serious business and marketing machine which I think is fascinating. It has actually inspired me to go into a communications and media program in university :)

A closer look at our creative process...

I think that this photo of Rach as Twiggy is a true tribute to the work we put into these photos. Twiggy has extremely unique facial features which turned out to be a lot more difficult to mimic than we thought. Luckily Rachel was a good sport and let us really pound the makeup on. I used a lot of highlighting and contouring techniques to give Rach the Twiggy cheekbones. We also did a lot of work with filling in her brows to get the perfect Twiggy arch, and I think they look pretty darn close. Her mouth took a lot of reshaping too with lipliner to give her the Twiggy pout. He slicked side pony was pretty straightforward although it required a lot of gel. 

 I really like how we reversed the colours (Rachel's background is black and her sweater is lighter). We had to do a lot of work with lighting in these photos, especially in this one. We used the techniques we learned at the beginning of the year and had Rachel hold a white corrugated board to reflect the lighting onto her face. 

Zoe polished everything off with her amazing photoshop work. She perfected the lighting which definitely enhanced Rachel's face shape and made her look even more like Twiggy. She enhanced the shape of Rachel's eyes to make them more doe-like, and gave her even more of a Twiggy pout. Zoe also really came through on all the costumes. This thrift shop sweater she found looks so much like the one in the photo!

Individual Thematic Work

In the beginning we had no idea what mode to show our photos in. We thought about printing them out onto glossy photo paper, but decided that passing around the tiny portraits wouldn't have the same grand affect as putting them up on the big projector screen. Printing them out into hard copies might not have been as forgiving either. We edited all of the photos ourselves on photoshop so they weren't perfect (I think that's what makes them great personally!) Nevertheless, hard copies might have been little more clear in the pixelation which might have showed some of our mistakes. Since Rachel was away for the editing days, she decided to make a slide show chronicling out pictures through the decades.

For this project we incorporated lots of principles of media arts. We showed duration because we literally traveled through the decades all the way back to the 1930's. We used point of view because these photos were our take and our recreation of the iconic originals. For the most part this project focused on hybridization. We used different hair, makeup, lighting, modelling, costumes, editing and photoshop to accomplish these photos. Hours of work was put into each one whether it be hair and makeup or editing and photoshop. This project wouldn't have been a success if we hadn't used so many different techniques to make them. Anonymity was also used in this project because we gave up our own identities to step into the identity of the person we were trying to be. Not only did we change our looks, but we also changed the way we act, stand and behave in front of the camera in order to become the other person.

Even though some of the photos weren't up to the standard we wanted, I think this project was still a success because we incorporated so many of the principles of media art into it.

POV/Duration project review

Zoe and I incorporated hybridization and interactivity into this project. There were elements of hybridization in this project because we made ourselves the canvases. Instead of creating art on a separate canvas, we brought our project to life by using own bodies! It was also interactivity because without the audience, we wouldn't have even been able to do this project. The audiences participation are reactions were crucial for making ourselves the art.

Zoe and I were very organized for this project. We divided up the work and made sure to have everything we needed in advance. This project obviously took a lot of preparation and clean up afterwards. One of our biggest issues was making sure we had enough sheets to use as a back drop. Luckily my mum was happy to donate some. We also had to find A LOT of paint, and make sure it was safe to get on our skin. Tempra paint from my mum's classroom did the trick.

As for clothing and utensils, Zoe nailed it. Our all white outfits really gave us the "human canvas" feel we were looking for. She also provided spoons, ladles, sponges and paintbrushes for the class to use. Set up was easy and we were completely prepared.

(^notice Mrs Kings cameo appearance!)

Putting a time limit on our project turned out to be a great idea in my opinion. Zoe and I worried that if we didn't set a time that our project would drag out and people would lose interest. Setting the clock for one minute heightened the class's excitement because they knew they had to move quickly. 

Overall I am happy with the outcome of this project. Although it took a lot of preparation and clean up, it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the experience of creating art with a group of people instead of creating it individually. This project brought our class together and allowed everyone to let their guards down a little bit and work together. I definitely want to create an artwork with a large group of people again. 

Keith Haring

1. Keith Haring is one of the most influential street artists and social activists of the 80's. Haring captured New York City street culture of the 1980's by painting subject matter of birth, death and war. In his murals he used a unique style of bold lines, vivid colours and organic shapes. His cartoon like style is now internationally recognized. Haring began drawing with chalk in New York City subways, but later moved to painting murals on the sides of buildings.

2. Keith's Haring's work is definitely unique, but it slightly resembles the work of Andy Warhol. Like Warhol, he liked to incorporate popular cultural symbols into his art. He also used the same colour palate. Both artists used extremely vibrant complimentary and contrasting colours. However the strong social messages that Banksy often incorporates in his artwork are similar to the work of Haring.

3. Haring's most successful work is his AIDS activism. Haring was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988. He later founded the Keith Haring Foundation, which provided funding and programs for AIDS. Many of his pieces promoted AIDS awareness. Haring was openly gay and promoted safe sex. He licensed many of his art to aids awareness campaigns.

4. Haring's work is extremely bold in his artistic style and in his messages. This is what makes street art the perfect medium for him. Street art is known for crossing the line and getting people's attention. By painting on the street Haring is also able to reach a large and diverse audience which would be impossible to reach if his work was solely in an art gallery.

Exit Thru the Gift Shop - Analysis

1. Banksy and Mr Brainwash are affected by their chosen medium of street art, because it represents a rebellious way of life. Both of them try to create art that breaks social norms and societal values. In other words, they like to go for the “shock factor”. Their art, especially Banksy’s, attempts to prove a point and get people’s attention (and what better way to get people’s attention than to paint all over public walls!). Banksy’s work features a lot of political satire in particular. Over the years his art became more and more though provoking. He went from creating art solely in England, to spreading all over the world. Mr Brainwash went from simply video taping street artists in action, to actually becoming a street artist. As an artist myself, I know how important the medium is. It sets the tone of the artwork immediately. I know from my own experiences in art that the medium and make or break your work.

2. In my opinion Exit thru the Gift Shop is real. I think that as street art gained more popularity, it lost a lot of its credibility. It seemed like anyone could grab a can of spray paint and call themselves a street artist, but the actual intentions behind the movement were lost. People like Banksy and Shepard Fairy had spent years trying to use street art to impact people and challenge society. I think that making this film was Banksy's way of reestablishing the true meaning behind the movement. He is an extremely deliberate person. Everything he puts out in the world has a purpose. I think the same can be said about this movie. The fact that he was willing to be on camera at all (even if his identity was hidden) convinces me that this movie was not fabricated.

Thierry vs. Banksy

Their role in the film….

Thierry: goes from documenting street artists, to attempting (key word is attempting) to be one himself by copying a lot of what he has seen other artists do.

Banksy: infamous street artist who's thought provoking stencils can be seen all over the world.

The effect of their appearance….

Thierry: makes no attempts to conceal his identity. Enjoys living his life in front a camera.

Banksy: wears dark clothes, hoods, darkens out his face, alters his voice.

The setting they allow themselves to be filmed….

Thierry: allows himself to be filmed anywhere

Banksy: only allows his back and his hands to be filmed, or a dark silhouette in an unknown location

The way they deal with publicity….

Thierry: loves all the attention he can get

Banksy: likes his work to be recognized, but keeps his personal identity hidden

When you look on their websites its easy to see that their personalities really do match the movie. Mr Brainwash has a flashy over the top website. Banksy's website on the other hand is deliberate and to the point.

My ideal environment to create in

It may seem cliche that my ideal place to create would be on a beach, but my reasoning is deeper than it appears! First of all, I love to create when I'm in a busy environment. I'm always inspired by the people and atmosphere around me. I like to sit quietly and take in everything around me like what other people are talking about, what people are doing etc. And there is nowhere better for people watching than a beach. Nowhere.
I'm also extremely inspired by the ocean. I can't really describe it, but something about being near water  inspires me. I'm never happier then when I'm on a beach. Maybe its because my zodiac sign is cancer- I'm a crab. I like the heat, the sand and the water.