Project #5
Artistic Inspiration
My digital piece was inspired by Barbara Kruger and the contemporary art period. I admire Barbara Kruger and her ability to creative such powerful messages about identity, gender, beauty, society, etc. through black and white images and bold red and white text. I was inspired by Barbara Kruger to create my piece because she has some extremely powerful and bold feminist artworks. Barbara Kruger was able to become such an iconic artist by taking pictures directly from magazines or media viewed by the public, and layering them with short quotes criticizing common stereotypes and expectations. Her work aims to sell an idea to the viewer. She often uses sarcasm or sadistic humor to shock the viewer. I was inspired to use a pun in order to bring the image of the body together with the words made of keys.
Barbara Kruger also often uses the quotes in her work to cover eyes, mouths, etc. on the people in the photographs she picks. This inspired me to place the keys as thought they were resting on the collarbones.
Barbara Kruger also often uses the quotes in her work to cover eyes, mouths, etc. on the people in the photographs she picks. This inspired me to place the keys as thought they were resting on the collarbones.
Planning
I had two original ideas, both revolving around puns. For one, I wanted to use keys to spell out "not ur type" on a woman's collar bones, and for the other, and wanted to photograph a woman spitting babydoll pins out of her mouth, and place a text box over her eyes which said, "not your babydoll". I felt like both of these ideas could communicate my theme well. The babydoll idea was strong because the elements of Barbara Kruger's work would be more obviously prominent if I used an actual text box. However, I chose to continue with the "type" idea because the body could be more universal, and because it was a lot easier to photograph. This idea also allowed me to easily manipulate the keys and move them around on the actual model. I wanted to use keys because they easily can spell out words, and because they are something that are always being touched.
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Process
I first had to take the keys off of an old keyboard. After I had successfully managed to take them off of the board, I began brainstorming puns. When I decided to use "not ur type", I had to get creative in order to get a second "t". I used a permanent marker to make a cross at the top of an "I" key. I went over every letter with a red marker in order to resemble the red and white text boxes in Barbara Kruger's work. Once I had gone over all of the letters, I arranged them and then started to play with different ways to place them on the model.
After the photos had been taken, I edited them for the best quality, and to create atmosphere. I ended up using a photo without natural light, because I liked how dramatic it was (like many of Barbara Kruger's works). However, I edited all of the photos that I took so that I could compare the end product, and choose the best one from there. I changed the brightness and contrast to create more contrast between the skin and the background. I zoomed in very close to the image in order to correct areas of skin and so that I could see the image better. I found that even very small changes to the light made a huge difference in the presentation of the image. I wanted to use Polaroids for this project, but I was hesitant because it would be impossible to edit the photograph after taking it. Ultimately, I had more control of the image because I used a digital camera. |
Experimenting
I experimented with the look of the image by using different light sources and angles. I felt that the use of a natural light source would fit the feel of the image that I wanted to create, so I decided to try different artificial light sources. Using different sources of light also made the image different qualities. If the camera was able to focus on the image in the light, instead of totally relying on the cameras flash, the image would turn out clearer.
To get the final lighting, I used the flash of my phone coming from a slight angle, and also employed the use of the cameras flash. This gave it a very interesting, darker setting. When using only the overhead room light, the lighting turned out too grainy and yellow, and different elements blended together. This is shown in the last photo.
Reflection
When comparing my work to that of my inspiration, Barbara Kruger, one can see many differences, but also some similarities. For one, this project does not utilize a text box, which is a major component of work by Barbara Kruger. Although this may be a limitation to my work, I did utilize text in the form of physical keys. Taking inspiration from her work which can be very sadistic, the words in my piece are a pun.
I waited to complete this project because I thought that I would have a better camera. Thus, I think that when I get a higher quality camera, images like this will look better.
Lighting on this piece was a challenge because the camera only had manual flash when the lights were all turned off, and so I had to guess where I should hold my camera in the dark. I do feel like I the picture that I chose to use is the best one because of the use of flash instead of the overhead light.
I feel like if I would have planned this artwork sooner, I would have had access to more resources such as natural lighting, photoshop, or a higher quality camera.
Overall, this project has been an interesting experiment in photography.
I waited to complete this project because I thought that I would have a better camera. Thus, I think that when I get a higher quality camera, images like this will look better.
Lighting on this piece was a challenge because the camera only had manual flash when the lights were all turned off, and so I had to guess where I should hold my camera in the dark. I do feel like I the picture that I chose to use is the best one because of the use of flash instead of the overhead light.
I feel like if I would have planned this artwork sooner, I would have had access to more resources such as natural lighting, photoshop, or a higher quality camera.
Overall, this project has been an interesting experiment in photography.
ACT Questions
1) How are you able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork?
Yes, Barbara Kruger has influenced the tone of my work, and my use of words.
2) What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I think that the author likes to critique society in her work.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Maybe that women generally have less power, and thus must speak out to gain equality.
4) What was the central idea for theme around your inspirational research?
Feminism, equality, etc.
5) What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I have inferred that words are powerful.
Yes, Barbara Kruger has influenced the tone of my work, and my use of words.
2) What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
I think that the author likes to critique society in her work.
3) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Maybe that women generally have less power, and thus must speak out to gain equality.
4) What was the central idea for theme around your inspirational research?
Feminism, equality, etc.
5) What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I have inferred that words are powerful.
Sources
"Barbara Kruger - Feminist Artist - The Art History Archive." Barbara Kruger - Feminist Artist - The Art History Archive. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2017