Self Visualization Concept

For my self visualization, I plan to focus on two distinct aspects of my personality: the scientist and the artist. As a biology major, I enjoy reason and order. However, as an artist I like to express creativity in an organic, unstructured manner. Therefore, my triptych will contain both qualities. This project will actually consist of five panels, rather than three. The panels on each end will represent each of the qualities described above. For example, the left panel will be very linear and geometric, while the right panel will be very soft and organic. I plan to use a highly stylized image of my body in each end panel as a part of the piece of art. I plan on focusing on the shape of my body as a whole to incorporate in with the images I create. The panels between the end pieces will be the same height, but smaller in width. These will act as a gradient between the two end pieces, as the geometric and organic elements mix. This will mirror the way I see myself; although I have these very distinct aspects of my life, I have found numerous ways to mesh the two, and to use them to compliment one another. For this project, I plan to work mostly with illustrator.

Artist Comparison

Cui Xiuwen, Cindy Sherman, and Fida Kahlo are three different female artists that work in distinctly different mediums. However, while each artist uses their own personal style to characterize their artwork, they all attempt to portray related, if not very similar, concepts. Each artist uses the female body to create visually stimulating images. While some are more dramatic than others, they are all equally emotional and dynamic.


Cui Xiuwen’s Angel collection features the same young girl, usually replicated multiple times but occasionally as a single figure. Each image portrays the human shape as an art form. Many times the girl’s body is not positioned in a way that makes sense; instead, the limbs are used to create dynamic shapes that interact with one another. This creates a very emotional image. Despite the appearance of many different figures in one frame, each “person” seems separate from one another. For example, while they are placed close to one another they do not look at each other or interact. Therefore, this may imply that the purpose of these images is not to show a crowd of people, but to show the many versions and emotional states of the same girl. Perhaps Xiuwen is attempting to comment on the different emotions that are associated with pregnancy. These images are all very bright and surreal, and feature a large portion of the background in addition to the figures.

Unlike Cui Xiuwen, Cindy Sherman keeps the focus of her images to one figure. Most of her artwork centers entirely on the one figure in a close-up, disregarding any background. This emphasizes the emotional and psychological states of the figure. In fact, each figure is meant to be cast as a “character,” one that either takes on a cliché or horrific movie role. Furthermore, each character is captured in what seems to be a very pivotal moment. This is enhanced by varied use of camera angles and it creates a very dramatic and dynamic image. Sherman seems to also like working with shadows and darker, muted colors.

Whereas Cindy Sherman attempts to cast herself in the role of a character in her photographs, Frida Kahlo aimed to portray the very essence of herself in her artwork. Unlike Xiuwen and Sherman, she did not use photography as her medium; instead, she expressed herself through bright oil paints. Her artwork has a more surreal edge to it. Contrasting especially with Xiuwen’s work, Kahlo paints flat figures with little depth. However, they are just as expressive: by being surrealistic, they do contain a great deal of symbolism. Kahlo makes great use of this to visually represent her past experiences. Overall, this is an intensely personal collection of artwork.

Project 1: Finished Photoshop Version

So here's the finished version of my photoshop image. I tried to make it happier and not quite as lonely by brightening the colors, adding a different sky (which was a real pain), and doing some other touch-ups. To be honest, I think it needed some more work, but (hopefully) it does look a lot different than the original.

Illustrator Exercise

Class Exercise

Project One: Original Photo

Artists

I really enjoyed both Gregory Crewdson and Teun Hocks’s artwork. I like the lonely, almost existential feeling characteristic of Crewdson’s images. Almost all of his pieces feature a lone figure, illuminated from a dark background by a sharply contrasting spotlight. This produces a sad and dramatic effect. I like how he was able to manipulate the photos to make them have a more painterly feel, but yet still seem realistic at the same time. By doing this, Crewdson was able to a more vibrant reality. Though stylistically different, Teun Hock’s artwork is equally impressive. While Crewdon seems to enhance reality, Hock changes it completely. Instead of keeping the entire photo intact, he tends to remove the background and replace it with his own. I admire his artistic talent and creativity in composing his work. His compositions are ironic, and many seem to make bold statements. I like the surrealism he incorporates. Jeff Wall and Cindy Sherman, on the other hand, do not thrill me quite as much as the other two artists. While I do appreciate their artistic merit, I do not think they are as visually stimulating as Gregory Crewdson or Teun Hock.