Mixed Media
Jeopardy
33 cm v 19 cm
December 5, 2018
Exhibition Text:
The Concept of Jeopardy deals with the numerous pathways one must endure through to achieve
their desire. The piece was influenced by artists such as Lionel Le Jeune, Janet Moczar-Buti, and by illustrations of caves. In order to achieve satisfaction, one must enter the cave he/she fears.
Jeopardy
33 cm v 19 cm
December 5, 2018
Exhibition Text:
The Concept of Jeopardy deals with the numerous pathways one must endure through to achieve
their desire. The piece was influenced by artists such as Lionel Le Jeune, Janet Moczar-Buti, and by illustrations of caves. In order to achieve satisfaction, one must enter the cave he/she fears.
Inspirations
Lionel Le Jeune was utilized for this composition. Lionel used mixed media art to create sculptures that often depicted overcoming obstacles or working through hard-ships. I wanted to apply that same ideology towards my piece, displaying overcoming obstacles to achieve one's desire. I like the three dimensional figure's depth and color. The dark vivid color of the sculpture really adds dimension and makes the composition really contain unity. The figure looks very real and the use of the rock really embeds the message of carrying something very heavy/difficult to manage. The figure is depicting fighting through pain by expressing internal and external strength.
Lionel Le Jeune was utilized for this composition. Lionel used mixed media art to create sculptures that often depicted overcoming obstacles or working through hard-ships. I wanted to apply that same ideology towards my piece, displaying overcoming obstacles to achieve one's desire. I like the three dimensional figure's depth and color. The dark vivid color of the sculpture really adds dimension and makes the composition really contain unity. The figure looks very real and the use of the rock really embeds the message of carrying something very heavy/difficult to manage. The figure is depicting fighting through pain by expressing internal and external strength.
Janet-Moczar Buti was used as an inspiration as well. I appreciated the way she arranged her composition in a very clever to show how the horses are jumping through the dirt piles. This displays unity and shows progression from one stage to another. The horse is depicted and broken into three stages showing his continuation of the process. This also reveals the ideology of moving through obstacles rather than sitting around them, which is what I wanted to depict in my piece as well. I wanted to show that in order reach your desire/true potential one has to overcome harsh obstacles.
Caves were also a source of inspiration for the construction of my composition. Caves were the perfect element to incorporate because they symbolize fear and lack of motivation. I also thought that caves have a psychological meaning that correlates with humanity. The meaning is that the cave which one fears to enter, lies the treasure that individual seeks. So success is on the side of fear, which is what I wanted the vibe to be in my composition. You can't achieve success on moderate level efforts or just being in comfort zones at all times.
Planning sketches
My first planning sketch I wanted to make a object that defined success really high on two ropes tied, to signify how one must progress through stages to get the ultimate price. I also wanted to tie ropes on the element to show that it won't just magically fall down to you, you have to work for it. I also wanted to put a human being hanging off the ropes to show how one must not give up and hold on to the positives and pull yourself up to success. But that really failed because the rope wasn't stable enough for my composition to handle.
My first planning sketch I wanted to make a object that defined success really high on two ropes tied, to signify how one must progress through stages to get the ultimate price. I also wanted to tie ropes on the element to show that it won't just magically fall down to you, you have to work for it. I also wanted to put a human being hanging off the ropes to show how one must not give up and hold on to the positives and pull yourself up to success. But that really failed because the rope wasn't stable enough for my composition to handle.
My second planning sketch was composed of making the bottom layer/portion of my project appear as a lethal setting of fire to show the danger elements that come across when trying to achieve your desire. The fire setting was supposed to motivate the person to hang on the high ropes or they will die, but the concept seemed very unrealistic and more animated. I wanted more complexity.
My third planning sketch was composed of making a cave as my main theme setting. The cave was suppose to be the fear that the individual must enter to search for treasure in this case money. The cave had obstacle courses that the individual must conquer to get one's desirable element. This was a major success because my composition was very unified and looked very detail-oriented.
Experimentation
At first I began by taking pictures of materials I wanted to use in my composition. I wanted the rock has a sole object in the pathway to show that it is a very heavy and arduous element to move. It would represent the arduous elements of life. But, I felt that the rock looked better mixed in with other objects because it gave the composition more visual attraction.
At first I began by taking pictures of materials I wanted to use in my composition. I wanted the rock has a sole object in the pathway to show that it is a very heavy and arduous element to move. It would represent the arduous elements of life. But, I felt that the rock looked better mixed in with other objects because it gave the composition more visual attraction.
I also wanted to at first create a object hanging high above like money on these sticks to display the difficulty of achieving success. The conflict was that the stick was very fragile and not sturdy, so the object kept on falling. So that idea was shut down, but then I incorporated the sticks as an element in the course to still put it in my composition.
I also took pictures of other materials I wanted to use in my piece. I wanted to utilize chess pieces as obstacles because chess is a very complex game in life. One bad move and your in trouble is what I wanted to highlight in my composition. The chess pieces are a part of the course that represent arduous thinking process while trying to overcome odds and obstacles.
I also originally pondered and evaluated whether to use toothpicks in my piece or not. I tried to poke holes in my shoe box and make them like pointy knifes coming out on the bottom surface. They would be like knifes when the individual was walking through the course to make it even more difficult. The problem was the structure wasn't compatible and it was wrecking the unity and dimension. The toothpicks were ripping the box and ruining the composition.
I also thought about using pencils as sword figures for my piece to add more depth and danger. But there was no way to incorporate it in a clear and concise manner. The pencils were very hard to stick on and make with piece not falling off. The structure of the pencils made it impossible to fit in.
Process
1. The first step was to gather a shoe box for the base of my composition. I choose a 33 cm by 19 cm shoebox.
1. The first step was to gather a shoe box for the base of my composition. I choose a 33 cm by 19 cm shoebox.
2. The second step was to draw a hole with a brief pencil outline and cut it with a scissor to create the cave entrance.
3. After that I drew an outline of the cave cracks and features by my pencil to give a realistic appearance in the viewer's eyes.
4. then, I began to start putting my composition together. I put the sticks on first to show a cross path to block a straight path. next, I put the dices on the side to made it into a circular pattern to confuse the course pathway.
5. Afterwards, I put the chess pieces guarding the cross path to highlight danger and if the wrong path was taken the pointy ends would stab the person trying to pass the course. I also made a second cross-path for the same reason and to challenge it more.
6. Next, I decided to spread the piece with objects blocking the course way. I used balls of red color to symbolize blood and a violent journey.
7. the money was added as the success element, as I decide to use coins because they were easier to put on and spread. I put leaves on top of them to show how getting close to success doesn't mean you will just have, sometimes you have to work harder on that last step. I also added rocks to install more destructive vibes in the course.
8. I then added checkers pieces on the entrance of the cave to show unexpected danger awaiting right in the entrance way. This made entire composition depict my them more valid.
9. Lastly, I made sure that my composition was very clean and appropriate towards my theme. I made sure that the composition was spread out very well with all sorts of objects.
Reflection
If I evaluated this project, it was quite a successful one for me. The composition tuned out to be very depicting of my theme and the cave was really nice. The obstacle course was spread with all sorts of objects including chess, checkers, and other pieces of work. the most challenging aspect of this project was coming up with an idea that meet my theme and expressed it in a very comprehensive manner. At first I couldn't come up with ideas because the mixed media portion wasn't working out, but then I was able to put together thoughts and create something I was really proud of. The easiest element was taping the objects because that was just a very simple step to perform for me. It is important to note that some of the items in this project weren't created by me such as the chess/checkers pieces, the rocks, leaves, coins, the shoebox, and the sticks. The element I created was the cave by cutting the hole and drawing it's features, most of these elements were manufactured by someone else, as stated previously. I had some failures such as not being able to tie money on top and put pencils because of structural stability issues. But, I had a lot of success such as putting together a well oriented composition.
If I evaluated this project, it was quite a successful one for me. The composition tuned out to be very depicting of my theme and the cave was really nice. The obstacle course was spread with all sorts of objects including chess, checkers, and other pieces of work. the most challenging aspect of this project was coming up with an idea that meet my theme and expressed it in a very comprehensive manner. At first I couldn't come up with ideas because the mixed media portion wasn't working out, but then I was able to put together thoughts and create something I was really proud of. The easiest element was taping the objects because that was just a very simple step to perform for me. It is important to note that some of the items in this project weren't created by me such as the chess/checkers pieces, the rocks, leaves, coins, the shoebox, and the sticks. The element I created was the cave by cutting the hole and drawing it's features, most of these elements were manufactured by someone else, as stated previously. I had some failures such as not being able to tie money on top and put pencils because of structural stability issues. But, I had a lot of success such as putting together a well oriented composition.
ACT Responses
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your art work? In my work I incorporated techniques of Lionel le jejune and Janet. I incorporated the message of overcoming hardships through my materials which is what they did. I also used a cave as my setting.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author ( from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors who wrote about Lionel le Jejune were very undetailed in their explanations. they said that it was a composition concerning a human carrying a significant weight on their back, which was very vague, no deep meaning to them.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? I discovered the Janet was really trying to use animals to explore her concept on life. To her, one must be strong enough to not stop and move on towards the progression of life.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my theme was to overcome fear and progress towards one's journey. To achieve success one must enter his fear because the treasure is on the other side of fear.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences I reached are that people don't sometimes want to work for their achievements, rather they take the easy way out. Well with this mentality and ideology you will only get what you put in, half the results.
Citations
Atlas-Mixed media sculpture. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Sculpture-Atlas-mixed-media-sculpture/691094/3860973/view
Overcoming obstacles-Bronze horse jumping over. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534872893240500529/
Low Poly Stylized cave. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/478507529141117404/
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your art work? In my work I incorporated techniques of Lionel le jejune and Janet. I incorporated the message of overcoming hardships through my materials which is what they did. I also used a cave as my setting.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author ( from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors who wrote about Lionel le Jejune were very undetailed in their explanations. they said that it was a composition concerning a human carrying a significant weight on their back, which was very vague, no deep meaning to them.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? I discovered the Janet was really trying to use animals to explore her concept on life. To her, one must be strong enough to not stop and move on towards the progression of life.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my theme was to overcome fear and progress towards one's journey. To achieve success one must enter his fear because the treasure is on the other side of fear.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences I reached are that people don't sometimes want to work for their achievements, rather they take the easy way out. Well with this mentality and ideology you will only get what you put in, half the results.
Citations
Atlas-Mixed media sculpture. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Sculpture-Atlas-mixed-media-sculpture/691094/3860973/view
Overcoming obstacles-Bronze horse jumping over. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534872893240500529/
Low Poly Stylized cave. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/478507529141117404/