Final Project-Kimberly Rivera

'VICTOR TORRES'

'Illustration Drawing'

'Abstract Duct Tape'

'Untitled Muse'

Influential Artists

The exploration of various ideas has led the subject of my project to be my muse, Victor Torres. He is the masculine version of my self portraiture. By assembling materials that consists of the spectacle, and media, I used different influential artists to create this piece. Every detail in my artwork was inspired by the following artists: Shantell Martin, Kevin Sampson, Joshua Miels, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Ana Medieta and Dread Scott "The idea of self as a convenience has a strong appeal" (Finkelstein 135). Personal identity allows me to see myself in another person. One by one, each artist's work guided me to the end result.

The process of the project was overwhelming, but exhilarating. In the beginning, my interest sparked from Shantell Martin's unique drawings from using only a black marker. Also, Joshua Miels, a contemporary portrait artist who captures the emotions of human beings through his paintings. Instead of a black marker, I used a colorful palette. As the canvas, I displayed Victor Torres to be the work of art. The vivid colors that were drawn on his face reminded me of Andy Warhol's pop art so I divided his face into four series. After I took a photo, the images resembled the work of Dread Scott. The Wanted, created on 2014 as a community-based project. exhibited these photographs to look like mug shots. He drew innocent individuals with untrue and misrepresented information that are often used in police sketches. As a violent scene, I drew a silhouette shooting target figure to represent Ana Medieta's unforgotten artwork. These pictures were not enough to stand alone so I used Kevin Sampon's idea of using random objects to create an assemblage. I used an old USPS priority mail box to show the photos and duct tape to add abstract. I crossed out the words like Jean-Michel Basquiat then wrote "Muse" throughout the platform and used a black sharpie to draw uncoordinated illustrations. The thought-process was so simple-minded until I realized that it did not have to be that way.

This art piece would categorize as a collage and mixed media. Based on the different compositions, it conveys a message of representation. "Publicity persuades us of such a transformation by showing us people who have apparently been transformed and are, as a result, eviable" (Berger 131). The subject appears attractive and artistic. He is an advertisement for consumers who want be a muse. Therefore, the method is to draw on one's face, and take a selfie so there can be a chance to be talked about in a room full of people one day.

This self-portrait tells a story to the audience. Every feature has a meaning, it just takes time to understand what it means. The difference between my first self-portrait and this current self-portrait are the subject, awareness, and assemblage. I used a male as a model, the awareness is not focused on mental illness, but exposure, and the objects are easy to use materials. I did not want to only focus on myself as a person who has a lot things going on in their mind. Throughout this semester, the appreciation for art influenced these changes that helped me explore my own artistry.

The media and its images influence identity and self presentation by promoting someone or something as an unrealistic public display. "Glamour cannot exist without personal social envy being a common and widespread emotion" (Berger 148). The spectacle is a mass media that produces exaggerated content that captures consumers' interest. It is shown in advertisements, social media, and promotional fields. My project exists in the spectacle as a display that shows detailed aspects of my muse, Victor. Society tends to admire the idea of becoming known. My artwork depicts the standards of connecting with an individual who has the ability to expose your status and aspiration. Art is meaningful especially if it is about you.

References

Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. Penguin, 1972.

Finkelstein, Joanne. The Art of Self Invention: Image and Identity in Popular Visual Culture. Tauris, 2007.

Xyon VS Thanos

My art project is based upon one of the artists that I have saw in the Paul Robeson Galleries in the Rutgers University In the Newark Museum was called Kedar. For my final project, I have decided to make A subject based upon “comic Imagination. To me I have goals for to create my own comic book character based upon myself and to put my own character out there in certain comic stories. But mainly, to embrace myself throughout arts, creativity and livelihood. At the same time I view myself as coming across struggles and hardships in the future in A way, but I find ways around to succeed whether or not if the path is short or long.

I have used painting materials like acrylic and oil paint alongside with this art project I have used Foam board instead of hard boards. The name of the artist that I was inspired that made me wanted to do this project, his name was Kevin Darmaine. I was inspired by his comic book art and his art is based upon the good life in the black/african american community. The difference between my final and my midterm portrait, I had added more color and depth into my own imagery, but with my midterm i had just used drawing and shapes during with that depth.

What influenced the changes within my self-image is when  I wanted see how I would stand out If I were to make my art comic book poster and out of my imaginary creativity. (Claiming Identity is an ordinary occurrence, Finklestien, pg.122) My character Xayadarah Xyons “Xyon” is the character based off from myself and Thanos is known as A mad titian, A fictional supervillain and one of the most powerful villains in the Marvel Universe.

The media and the images had help to influence and identify self presentation is showing yourself and embracing like how other artists embrace their own arts in their own ways. (Film and the mass media are technologies that have transformed telltale details into forensic clues and promoted their importance. Finklestien, pg 8)  Every human being that is an artist has ways of expressing and embracing their nature of art, everybody has artistic gifts. The media might judge differently goods and bads but own art is something we can capture within the point of our views and others. (Being in public and learning how to behave toward an audience of strangers is part of the narrative who produces a sense of self Finklestien, pg. 92)

The spectacle is defined by A visually striking performance or a display, something who you can see from your very own eyes. Within spectacles, we manage to function today by continuing doing what we love and how we can succeed in our own morals and values from arts.

My project have exist and address in this spectacle by showing much more improvement of something small who had turned into something bigger than what used to be before. It had addressed to something major of the outcomes after you encountered with many little obstacles and now you have done so, it's a possibility that things will fall in place.

Description: During The Infinity War, the heroes including Captain America, Iron Man,  Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and many other heroes were fighting the war against a mad titian name Thanos. His main goal is to collect all six infinity stones to erase half of the universe within the snap of his fingers. His plan includes erasing half of human population, animal population and nature population. Unfortunately his plan was a success after defeating the heroes, but the battle was not over yet. There are more heroes out there that still remains to join the battle including Captain Marvel and Ant-Man. Military agent Nick Fury had summoned Captain Marvel before his body was disintegrated and turned into dust. Xayadarah’s friends and his parents have been disintegrated as well and he was aware that there is a war that's coming. So therefore he had faced off some monsters, blood on his claws and now the mere cub who grown into a beast have confronted the mad titan to the confrontation. Will he Win against Thanos? We shall she.

References: Finklestien, J (2007) The Art of self invention

Inspired by: Kevin Darmaine “Kedar” Paul Robeson Galleries

                                                           Kevin Darmaine "Kedar" inspiration

Memories

Memories of journey of Art242

The subject of my final project that I have chosen is based on my journey of this class. The theme is memory that includes what I learnt through this class. I would like to give a title to this project as “memories of art class”. This project is just a way to express myself, which has a big growth in this class. In this final project I mad sculpture, and bookmark to rewind my memories of this class. I love to do art, but because of this busy life, I forgot it somewhere. Luckily I chose to be in this course and I am glad for it. I showed my life in USA from the beginning that I came from the India till now I have settled down in the USA. How I am missing my country a lot but the way I am also having new memories and also my own culture in some way here that I have putted in my project. I also showed this in my midterm project, that’s why I chose 2 pictures from my midterm project to put in my book “memories of art class” in final presentation. I used different color papers, spoon, light, and decoration martial. In this three month I got more knowledge then I had before. I never took any professional art class so, this was one of the best opportunity to explore my art skill. And only for that I chose to make bookmark and sculpture for my final project. I am very grateful to the professor for this.

In my final project I made one lamp by plastic spoon, which also one sculpture and moreover I wanted to put between my books, to present that I have same feeling like a lamp that this class light up my life, now I will continue to do art for my passion. I also made two books which has my memories of this class like I used photo of some of my selfie, with professor, with classmates, some from My midterm project, some from class member’s project, some from our trip. Except this things I used different color’s paper for represent my project, as I loved colorful things. I would categorize my work by bookmarks, photos and collared. I get inspire by María Verónica San Martín who is a Chelean printmaker, bookmarker, and performer. She uses declassified material, and collection of memories. Andy Warhol is also my inspiration, because he mostly used different colors for his work and he was self-porter, in my project is also self-portrait, it based on my journey in this class, my memories and growth in this class. This project can conveys people that everyone has some art in them. They should take at least one class of art in their life. And it’s not necessary that you do art to earn money or for work but you can also do art for your own passion and enjoyment. My midterm project was based on the journey of my life and my final project is based on my journey of this class.

My midterm project was very broad point I want to narrow it down and, this is very important and big point and may be turning point of my life in current situation. “You don't take a photograph, you make it” -Ansel Adams

Media and its images are big influenced on Self-identity, Self-identity is obtained in two ways; through self-awareness and observation other. Media also allow to have influenced by others to your self- presentation. In this final project I used media such as camera, Instagram, blogger. Media and its images also allows you to have growth in your life, to explore your imagination, thoughts, and abilities. It helps a lot in self-presentation. The spectacle is not a collection of images, but a social relation among people, mediated by images. My final project is also collection of images, but my point is not only images, it’s a relation between my classmates, and with professor. Originally, Spectacles were meant to be "sunglasses that capture your world" via the Snapchat photo- and video-sharing app. I understood by being in this course. And that is what I am showing my final project that I learn a lot in this class, we used snapchat to show our selfie and to capture world in our eyes.

“everything was itself and at the same time something else" (Finkelstein, pg. 61). "It follows the techniques of its invention, presentation, delivery and performance propagate the reassuring belief that it exists..." (Finkelstein, pg.138). "The way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe"(John Berge, pg.8). "At minimum the self is bifurcated, it has a double; there is the conscious and unconscious, private and public, civilized and base, good and bad, and we can create ourselves as well-rounded beings from the management of these seemingly opposed elements," (Finkelstein, pg.126). “The idea that character and personality are both immanent in appearance still exerts a strong influence even though it is riddled with ambiguities”. (Finklestein, pg.129) Work cited https://www.google.com/search?q=maria+veronica+san+martin+art+images&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS794US794&oq=maria&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j35i39l2j0l3.4522j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 https://www.mveronicasanmartin.com

https://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts

Finale

The subject of my project reveals how I really feel on the inside. My true feelings revolve around the feeling of being sad, lonely, overwhelmed, and unmotivated. I decided to make a small trifold cardboard as the piece for my project. On the two front folds I put a picture of the happy face I make. The color of my skin and shirt are vibrant like the background. This represents the image I show in public and how I want people to see me. When the folds open, my sad teary eyed face is there. The picture on the inside has a darker background and my image is faded with less color. On the insides of the folds, are 4 pictures that further showed what I felt. On the left is a silhouette of a couple that are slightly distant. This represents my relationship with my girlfriend. She lives 45 minutes north so we don’t get to see each other often. On top of that I am always busy and don’t get the opportunity to always talk to her. The other picture is a clock that reads 2am and 4am which are the times that I’ve been up doing work. Since I don’t sleep at home, I tend to sleep at school. With the little free time that I do recieve, I just want to enjoy doing what I want and not spending time with other people including my own girlfriend. This represents how I’ve really felt these past few months. This is about the worst that I’ve felt and it’s due to a build up of overworking myself over the course of the entire year. During the spring and fall semesters I’ve worked and attended school taking on 18 and 20 credits. Over the summer, I worked full-time in research at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. In short, I feel like I haven’t had a real consistent break. 

As inspiration I used a variety of artists and pieces to make my project. To start off, I referred straight from the society of the spectacle which emphasized how appearance plays a role in how people are treated in society. Appearances are very important in many settings such as work, school, and social events because it is a way that shows a person’s value and how they are marketed. Appearance also makes a person become likeable and approachable. Growing to know this, I always wanted to keep a smile on my face and hold my head high. When I was younger I was extremely shy and emotionless but I made sure to change that. I showed the best appearance on the front of my project because it is my surface and normal appearance in public. I also have nice glasses to make me look more stylish. Opening the trifold revealed the opposite of my surface. On the side are pictures that describe my situation. I used Wangechii Mutu’s use of monsters to show how I am like a troll living under a bridge trying to get away from everyone when I finally have my own time. From the art exhibit I was particular inspired by Anna Ogier-bloomer’s Nursing and peeing, which shows a naked mother nursing her naked baby. It shows things that a mother does for her baby that are not seen by others that would be thought to be as disturbing, but really is good and should be celebrated. It can be overwhelming though and that is how I connect it to my project. I actually really like all of the things I’ve been doing this year and I don’t regret doing any of it. It’s just that me doing it all in such a short time, I’ve felt overwhelmed and sad with my lack of free time and rest. It should be celebrated though because it has helped me to grow like the mother’s child. I also like to think that this suffering is on temporary. In the back of my project, I put myself and my girlfriend happy. When this suffering is over and when I suffer again, I think that I should go to her for comfort and motivation. There is always hope.

Anna Ogier-Bloomer's Nursing and peeing

Into the Modern World- Final Project- Leslie Wilson

“Into the Modern World”

My artwork Into the Modern World is a piece I created to explore what I consider to be the future.

     My artwork titled “Into the Modern World” was influenced by my surroundings, and several different artists around the globe. The subject of my painting is a young woman; the reason behind this choice was due to the current feminism movement revival currently happening this year (2018). As for the contents of my painting, I wanted to focus on the future, and what the future might look like in my eyes. The young woman is wearing a blue trench coat, due to the symbolism behind the attire.  Trench coats, famously worn by detectives, can signify adventure, or travel. The blue color was chosen to represent freedom, and confidence. Her aura is tinted yellow in the painting to stand for positivity, and enlightenment. 

                                                                               

     Every choice I made was needed to complete the whole overall picture; from choosing certain colors to deciding the main subject of the image. The first monumental choice in creating the whole piece was the decision to paint, instead of choosing a different art method. I haven’t touched a paintbrush since the sixth grade, but what is life without risks? As for the overall picture idea, I thought of the image one year ago; April 16, 2017 to be exact. I drafted the sketch in the notes app of my smartphone. The more specific contents of the painting, however, was modified to fit the final project. The colors, on the left side of image, were inspired by the color palette of the 1960s and 70s; while the “modern” side of the right were influenced by the color palette of today. I wanted to build a more bright, fun life style on the left, and dark, gray feel on the right. Whether it was Jules Verne writing about air flying machines or Leonardo da Vinci sketching contraptions similar to cars today; the retrofuturism movement really was the main idea of this whole project. 

     I would categorize my artwork as a painting. The artist that inspired my painting include Patricia Piccinni, and author, Luis Serafini, of Codex Seraphinianus. Piccinni’s Osculating Curve, which centers around the idea of a changing human species, really influenced my decision to create an odd, yet realistic image. Serafini also played a huge role in helping me decide the type of style I wanted to mimic, along with the idea of constructing interesting, different forms of plants. 

“Osculating Curve”

Osculating Curve by Patricia Piccinni inspired my artwork.

     I think my self-portrait conveys the idea of two completely, divergent settings mushed into one painting. I want people to see the young woman seamlessly walking between the two scenes and wonder how the world might change in the years to come. The difference between my midterm and final project is my choice to sketch, and paint a new image; instead of stitching together objects that were already made. My midterm project was heavily made based off Nina Katchadourian’s art, but my final picture was made off my idea. The challenge, and risk involved in the creating my final project out of paper, and paint was far more daring than my midterm project. I was influenced to change the method of my project because I wanted to show a different side of my art “skills”.

     “Identity is variously described as a measurable psychological state, an existential tabula rasa, a mechanism of mind, a quality of curiosity, doubt, and ambiguity, a privileging of introspection, a fiction, an ideological device, and so on” (Finkelstein 137). With this definition in mind, identity can be amounted to who we are, or who want to believe we are. In addition, the “coherent view of identity can be invented from the surface and then applied backwards to become an internal core” (Finkelstein 60). When the media meddles with the idea of identity, by projecting ideal images of what is expected, suddenly society has a certain picture to mirror. The media carries tremendous power in deciding what the major population should focus their attention on, therefore we, as members of society, should be aware of when the media has crossed too far, and fix it. 

     At first glance, I assumed the spectacle is similar to a pair of glasses. A spectacle is used to see better or clearer. It can also be used to see; like watching other events around.  After reading a portion of Debord’s “Society of the Spectacle” I’ve come to realize the spectacle is the media. The spectacle reaches its ultimate fulfillment when “… the tangible world is replaced by a selection of images which exist above it, and which simultaneously impose themselves as the tangible par excellence” (Debord Stanza 36). The media functions in multiple ways, including in tweets, live TV, or newspaper. 

     My project exists in the spectacle, since I painted the artwork by incorporating several artists ideas of what the future will look like. Arguably, the spectacle, in terms of my artwork, is me and the past visionaries who imagined the future. 

RetroFuturism can be seen in this painting

Another example of RetroFuturism 

Works Citied

Claire, Shyama Laxman, and Beca Bailey. "History Of The Trench Coat: Military Necessity To Fashion Accessory." Contrado Blog. N.p., 27 Apr. 2018. Web. 12 Dec. 2018.

Debord, Guy. Society of the Spectacle. Detroit: Black and Red, 1977. Print.

Finkelstein, Joanne. The Art of Self Invention: Image and Identity in Popular Visual Culture. London: Tauris, 2007. Print.

MVargic. History Rundown. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2018.

Links

https://www.historyrundown.com/category/retrofuturism/

Final - Michael Andre

My final project consists of a selfie of me that I sketched and then painted. The step that I needed to take to in order to finish this was that I had to first find and then sketch myself on the canvas paper once I was satisfied I when over the correct line with a thin sharpie so I can find my edge line so I didn't go too far with the paint. From there I pained the photographs that I dream and let it dry outside hoping to get the texture from the outdoor and I brushed off excess paint with water to get a softer color with the paint.  The inspiration for my drawing was my drawing was a tie between Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. I used them because they have such an abstract way to depict the message with crazy colors.in the case of the back round of my pictures, I looked at my project in the eyes of andy because he has looked at the church in order to gain inspiration for his creations back rounds. As well as the drawing I created has to derive from Jean-Michel Basquiat and his abstract way of drawing as well as his abstract way of coloration where the object is of a different coloration as expected.

The is a couple of messages that I wanted to portray in seriousness sadness and strength just using color coordination and placement of each color. To go into detail I have my face and neck two different greens. The reason why I chose to show that I was sad and sicken of the word do to what I had to go through. As well as showing the fact that the name that I was given as an adolescent witch was me being a ninja turtle. The seriousness in the face of my drawing was to show the audience that I embracing the name and that I'm gonna embrace both the image that other people thought of me when I was younger. So to embrace the name of the teenage mutant ninja turtle so that is why my body is green. The shirt that I wore in is a dark coloration due to the fact that I like to stay to myself. I don't like to share my ideas as often and I like to keep my feeling to myself. Next, there is the light magenta hat on my head because I like to think a lot and come up with so many ideas.

What I'm trying to convey to the audience thought my painting is that you need to fully understand your self in order to accept and love your self. The reason why I find this important is because in order for me to advance and others to advance you need to accept your self fully flaws and strength to advance. That's why there were still small elements from my midterm in the final but there is a slight different going from digital to painting.  I chose to do this to nun only prove that I still have my artistic but to show my actual self as the slight alter ego that I have created.showing that it's enclosed in the dark clothing that I use to suppress the outgoing creator that is funny and likes to have fun and share there ideas just like the character Michael Angelo but less of a joke.

What is the what is a spectacle when I saw this question I automatically gravitated to say that it has to be something that has a visual gravitational impact. But , even though that this is my interpretation but in the case or Guy-Ernest Debord he thinks “in the essential movement of the spectacle, which consists of taking up all that existed in human activity in a fluid state so as to possess it in a congealed state as things which have become the exclusive value by their formulation in negative of lived value, we recognize our old enemy, the commodity, who knows so well how to seem at first glance something trivial and obvious, while on the contrary it is so complex and so full of metaphysical subtleties.” which was the definition of a man that was living in 1967 but in recent time the definition really has not strayed far from  the definition in 1967.

Michael Andre

What You See is Beauty

What You See is Beauty

The subject of my art work is a self-portrait viewed through a mirror. The content of the image is inspired by the spectacle, media, and the advertisement of self. All three of these subjects affect the image of self. There is a general idea of how a female should look. This mirror has quotes written on them that support the individual, even if the individual is breaking social norms. Finkelstein stated, “Yet there is a sense of menace and anxiety as if this very ordinariness was in jeopardy. The impact of the images rests on the shock of the crimes wrongly attributed to upstanding citizens (122). Society especially in self-identity, does not know how to react when the norms are broken.  

I made a collage on part of the mirror that the individual does not use. I used all kinds of material that grab the woman’s attention. Sparkles, glitter, 3D stickers, ink, and makeup were all used on the mirror. These items impact women because it has all been pushed on them to like for years.  Finkelstein stated, “At those moments when fashion and commerce, style and luxury intersect and become inextricably linked, and the modern idea of fashion can be identified” (191). Fashion is set for women.  

The processes and steps that I took to make this decision came from my own life. I was the kind of girl that liked blue instead of pink. I did not like wearing dresses and putting on makeup. I was forced to conform to the spectacle and media because if I did not, then I was criticized. I was left feeling weird and uncomfortable with myself. Relationships with peers also was impacted because they do not want to associate themselves with individuals that are different. Finkelstein stated, “He rightly identified both the content of the mass media as well as the technology of the media- its distribution, ease of access and availability- as two influential forces that would directly shape social life” (149). People are so caught up in the media that they are not themselves. They take on the role of others because it is viewed as popular and they long for popularity.  

I categorize my work as a collage. Two artists influenced my collage. Martha Wilson’s photograph I Make Up the Image of My Perfection/ I Make Up the Image of My Deformity (2007) was the first one that influenced me. This image shows a woman with her makeup and her hair done fitting in the spectacle’s view. This image shows another side of the woman. It is the same woman except in this photograph of her, she is rebelling against the spectacle.  She does not fit into the expected image. This artist emphasizes humanity.  Another artist that influenced my work is Shoshanna Weinberger. She shows a lot of different body types of woman that are less favorable in the media’s eyes in a different way. She recognizes them and makes them seem just as important. 

The spectacle is produced by the audience. The audience should expand their views of beauty and not be so harsh because under all of the makeup there is an imperfect human being. No one is perfect so the media should not be focused on perfection. No human being is the same nor likes the same style so the advertisements should not be focused on certain looks and taste.  

There is a slight difference between the first self-portrait and this one. The focus is expanded to society’s gaze rather than specifically the male gaze. Women’s esteem should be higher and boosted because men will hold them to lower standards, but the women should not care. The standards are changing so woman should be happier that they are all starting to be included. The spectacle and media impacts society as a whole. Changes in the spectacle and media are improving society. The majority of society makes up the media and spectacle, which is why it is so influential. This influences advertising, which also impacts society. They all go together, but happiness and beauty starts with the person looking in the mirror.   

Media and images influence identity and self-presentation. Media is limited to certain ideas in society. The body types and body images are limited on media. Women have to look, dress, and act a certain way in order to fit media’s expectations. This impacts self-presentation because people want to look like celebrities and models and are not themselves. Recently, this has been making progress. The various body types and appearance of women is expanding. People that do not fit the original media and spectacle specification are finding it easier to. The mirror is for people that are battling society and are pushing the movement further. They should know that they are beautiful no matter what and that one day they will fit the spectacle and media. 

            Finkelstein, J. (2007). The Art of Self Invention Image and Identity in Popular Visual Culture. London: I.B. Tauris.