So without ranting too much, my final is going to be about my struggles with food and the 'perfect size' image that I also worry about far too much. I'm trying to stay away from the stereotypical anorexia/bulimia poster of the rail-thin girl looking into the mirror at a larger girl.
I kind of like the idea of writing down thoughts I've had in the past and thoughts I've had recently about the topic and displaying them somehow. I'm very into the idea of taking very personal things and expressing them via art. Or images similar to PostSecret (www.postsecret.com) where people write or type their confessions on a postcard-sized photo. Example:
I also want to do something that gives people chills like this example:
This is such a great and meaningful theme for depicting today's "looks" obsessive society but also blending in the importance of healthy eating and nutrition. The images above are good but you might not want to get too broad or abstract in getting your food struggle message across.
ReplyDeleteI think we both have very similar approaches when it comes to content for art. I love and admire how you are taking something so personal and wanting to deal with that struggle through expression. I love the postcard idea and I think that even if some random person sees your piece and may not outright see that personal connection you have to the message, for you that connection will always be there and that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that this is so personal to you will help with your process. I am definitely used to the "typical" eating disorder images, and I'm interested to see what direction you take. Using typography seems like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea. I'm a fan of PostSecret as well and I really like the cut and paste look that a lot of the postcards have and I think it would look neat if you somehow incorporated that "homemade" look.
ReplyDeleteUsing your own personal experiences to create something that gives your audience chills is a great idea. PostSecret always manages to do that for me, so using them as a foundation for your work is going to work in your favor.
ReplyDeleteI think your concept works because it is so personal, and it is a topic a lot people struggle with. I'd like to see what kind of personal items you can combine together to make a composition. I think the homemade items will help emphasize your personal experience.
ReplyDeleteStruggle tends to make for very arresting artwork. I'm intrigued to see how far you push the envelope but be careful, if you dive too far into emotional territory it could make the audience feel exploited.
ReplyDeleteprops to taking it so personal thats my hardest thing to do i hope it works out
ReplyDeleteThis is a very personal topic, and I am glad you have to courage to expand on it. Be careful of the imagery you use though, it would be great to see a symbolic instead of literal interpretation
ReplyDeleteVery intense and personal topic and many will appreciate you're courage to explore and express that visually and so vulnerably. This topic resonates with many in a multitude of ways (personal and relational) and I have actually explored it via art recently. Naturally, we all take on expressing and interpretation differently, but I can say that the figure is incredibly powerful when it is used properly. Im glad you mentioned not making it into a "anorexia poster" type deal.. it's much more personal that that cliche image. All of that being said, this concept can have really haunting and powerful results, but there are many fine lines around what level you push it to and how you communicate struggle. It's not a comfortable subject for anyone, but you also want to be careful. Text could be interesting as well. I'm interested to see where you take this!
ReplyDeletewhew, that is some powerful stuff on those cards.
ReplyDeleteArt helps people realize that everyone is beautiful, everyone is unique and special, we celebrate our diversity. Everyone is more alike than they know.
So glad you are aware of and are avoiding the stereotypes. Years ago a graduate of our art ed program had her students (ages around 6 years old) create all the posters for her graduation show using crayons and fingerpaints. To this day they were the most powerful posters for an exhibition I have ever seen. Everyone of them was different, unique (and adorable) and communicated Art Ed much better than if she had created a slick poster herself. The statements from her kids were the best part. So human.
Your ideas are great. The preliminary resource images help a lot to clarify your vision. The contemporary way is to dispay an enigmatic photo that implies or suggests the idea--sometimes leaving lots of loose ends.