2.2 Art Internal

 

Thursday,  September 9th 2021

Plan: Panel 1

Update #1

This is what my first portfolio currently looks like. Clearly, there is a lot of empty space I need to fill up. My overall goal is to create a contrast between the stage and school with the theme of Filipino culture. My next step is to take more pictures that relate to the photos on the left and clearly show the relationship between them. 

Thursday,  September 10th 2021

 Update #2

I had added another series on my board. I had decided to capture the magazine being opened. This creates interaction between the object and the magazine. I had purposefully added more contrast as the magazine opens, as it attracts the eyes to it. The series also helps show the "story" on my board. 

Thursday, October 28th 2021

Updated series of portraits:

First Artist Model: Duane Michal

I decided to alter the photos to show a juxtaposition between the limelight and feeling "unknown" at school.  I made the filter darker and added a vignette to symbolise the subject's feeling of being in the shadows. Additionally, I took inspiration from my artist model, Duane Michal's long exposure portrait to further enhance the idea of being outside out of the spotlight and feeling restricted to be yourself at school. 

Tuesday, November 9th 2021

Second Artist Model: Ans Westra

Ans Westra's style is to capture the moment. Westra is also known for capturing Maori culture in her work. I was then inspired by her to caputre the Filipinos at school and their "raw" form. One of her quotes are "In my photography I’m looking for communication between people and the right moment,"  and  that is what I have done in these photos becauseI don't want my portraits to look artficial or staged, to make the viewers more connected. This is also used as a contrast against the performance photo, which is planned out and staged. 

Third Artist Model: William Eggleston

William is known for his colourful photography. So I was inspired by his colourful photos and captured an image with a dark background and a vibrant foregound. By having a blacked out surronding, the eyes are able to focus on the colours in the middle, especially the vibrant blue at the centre of the photo. This image is able to capture how every eyes are focused on the performers, juxtaposed to being at school and being like everyone else among the crowds. 

Contact Sheets:

Panel 2 Plan

How many series of works are you planning?

I'm planning on doing 5 series for Panel 2 

What can you tell me about how they extend upon your kaupapa?

Panel 1 focuses more on the juxtaposition of the Filipino Culture at school vs on stage. But in Panel 2, I plan on combining them together to show how they correlecte with each other-and how our culture shines through this. 

What links can you tell me you are making to your artist models?

Inspired by Duane Michals, I plan to do sequence to show a movement in the photography.

I also intend to do double exposures, like Michals' photograph of Rene Magritte. 

What are your next steps?

Take more pictures and edit them to finally complete my panel 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panel 1 UPDATE

 

I had added another series on my board. I had decided to capture the magazine being opened. This creates interaction between the object and the magazine. I had purposefully added more contrast as the magazine opens, as it attracts the eyes to it. The series also helps show the "story" on my board. 

First Portfolio Development

Thursday,  September 9th 2021

Update #1

This is what my first portfolio currently looks like. Clearly, there is a lot of empty space I need to fill up. My overall goal is to create a contrast between the stage and school with the theme of Filipino culture. My next step is to take more pictures that relate to the photos on the left and clearly show the relationship between them. 

Connections Brainstorm

 

In English, we were tasked to create a brainstorm drawing of connections between the movies we have watched or read. I have chosen the texts Frankestein, Blade Runner, Ex Machina and Be Right Back; I think that these 4 texts are connected the most and the easiest to write about. 

Photography Portfolio Analysis

 

What belongs as a series of works that stand alone by themselves?

The last part of the board (the right bottom pictures) shows different a technique of mixing filters or inventing the pictures to create the cool effect.

What can you see that makes it relate to the folio as a whole 

Aspects such as clothing, fabric and accessories belong to Maori culture, therefore it can be related to the folio as a whole

Contact Sheet

Next Photoshoot Plan:

My kaupapa would be based around the Filipino culture so I would try to capture it through my portraits by wearing accessories like pearls and traditional clothing to represent it. I am planning to do self-portraits as it easier for me to make time for it and know what poses I want. 

 

Personhood

 What is a human? How do we define that?

Humans are homo sapiens that possess "humanly" characteristic. Human characteristics is the ability to communicate with language, symbols, gesture and facial expressions. Our skills, to make tools and fire that makes other creatures inferior to us.

Our external features would also tell us apart from lions or other animals. We were moulded to carry certain parts that would look a certain way, different from other species. For example, our skin texture is different from a snake. Our eyes aren't the same size as a whale. 

What is a person? Is this different from being a human?

To have self-awareness and possess qualities like morals, reasons and consciousness. Also be part of a working, complicated system such as the government and etc.

Thoughts on Sandra, the orangutans receiving "personhood"?

I am confused about how a non-human can receive "personhood", however, seeing how she acts I see her having "human" behaviours that make me think that being a person isn't just limited to humans.

Do you think personhood will become more complicated with the introduction of AI?

I definitely think it will get confusing because personhood goes beyond the physical attributes but behaviours.

Philosophy: “The Self”

 Plato on The Self

Plato believes that humans are composed of body and soul and can be separated. The body is material and destructible while the soul is immaterial and indestructible. Therefore, the soul is “The Self” since it contains knowledge and it cannot die. Plato theorises that the soul is segregated into 3 parts,  Rational, Spiritual and Appetitive. The rational soul is responsible to allow humans to think, reflect, analyse and works on other cognitive functions. The second is the Spiritual that allows humans to feel emotions such as anger, happiness and excitement. The third is an Appetitive soul for us to feel our desires and physical response such as hunger. 

Do I agree or disagree? 

 Plato’s theory of the self-being the soul is something I agree with. Although our bodies are decaying every second of every day our soul remains youthful with more experience. As a Christian, I can see similarities between Platos theory and what the bible says. The body is just the temporary temple that we need to take care of until it breaks down and we remain as souls to eternal life.

I believe that our dreams can be an example of our bodies and souls being separated. Although our bodies were resting our minds/soul is taken somewhere else to let us experience something surreal or impossible to experience in real life.

 

Ship of Theseus

 What is it?

The ship of Theseus is a philosophical idea that questions how identities are identified.  The theory had 3 parts. The first idea is replacing the parts of the ship of Theseus over the years. Second is using the parts from the ship of Theseus to create two new boats. Lastly, if a part of the ship is taken and broken. Are they all still the ship of Theseus?

What do you think the answer/solution is? Is there one? 

I think there is no right or wrong solution but the answer depends on people's beliefs. In my opinion, all three scenarios are still the Ship of Theseus although some parts may change, the aspect of the ship is still present.

Does this relate to our human identify? How so?

In a way it does. We often hear the phrase "people change" and that is completely true. Despite having people's "planks" change they're still considered the same. 

Art: Themes and Mood board

 (CI) Can you identify these themes or ideas?

Both birds show a traditional Maori pattern, a theme behind them may be inspired by Aotearoa.

Are the themes of each artist different? Why?

The artwork portrays two completely different moods. The art on the left utilizes darker colours, therefore gives a dark feeling to it. On the other hand, the colours used on the right is very vibrant and colourful, somewhat radiating a happy mood.

(CI) Which work expresses the theme of a calm conquest over death?

The left one's colour is vibrant and saturated. The subjects/ people were also drawn to have a calm facial expression.

Which work expresses a painful, suffering death?

The right side had harsher lines coinciding with the brown undertone colours reflecting how the painting shows pain and remorse.

How does the style, colour, and form express each theme?

The backgrounds contrast each other. The left painting shows a castle and a beautiful lake showing calmness and even victory from the castle. The right had thorns, skulls and dead ground.

I have chosen to have Filipino culture as a theme for my photos. I would be able to represent my country and its rich history.