3D to 2D Image

I was really proud of my apple. So I decided to use it as my focal image. Then I wanted to play around with it. I photoshopped my masked identity on the apple. I like the way the black & white contrasts with the colored image and the leaf. I am really happy with this image.

Reading 4: Touch by Diane Ackerman

Response to Diane Ackerman's book

A Natural History of the senses 

Although the sense of touch is put to use by everybody every single day of their lives, it is pushed to the back of their minds because they do not need to think about it for it to do its job.  Its loyally completes its duties quietly and quickly.  After reading this excerpt I thought "Where would mankind be without the sense of touch?"  There would undoubtedly be more sever injuries due to not knowing when the body was in danger of being hurt.  The feelings of pleasure would also never be felt without the sense of touch.  Touch gives life to newborns, comfort or fear in conversation, and trust in visually impaired people, but should not only be cherished by those groups but by every individual that enjoys the blessings of it every day. I find Diane Ackerman's writing quite beautiful. She makes one change their perspective about such an ordinary thing. People do not realize the beauty of touch, until they have lost it. Life begins with touch and then it ends without it. It is very      poetic. 

Responses to "The American Life" & TED Talks

This American Life


277: Apology, Act Two, Dial "S" For Sorry


The "apology line" is an effective method for people confess feelings or secrets that have been weighing them down. I believe it is an effective method for relieving self guilt. Sometimes it is much harder to tell a friend rather than a stranger. Strangers can be more productive in easing a troublesome mind because they offer a "birds eye view" perspective a friend cannot give. And what I mean by "birds eye view" is that the stranger is assessing the situation as a third party observer who has no affiliation at all and can offer advice without the bias of underlying factors. 


TED Talks about PostSecret


PostSecret is an organization founded by Frank Warren originally as a community art project  that receives letters of confessed secrets on homemade postcards from anonymous people. It has expanded globally and has produced four books full of secrets. This approach is much more concrete and profound than the "apology line" due to the fact that the senses are changed. Society relates better to things they can see and touch because that is how our culture communicates. The visual is so influential over one's thoughts. Every one of the secrets is made into a work of art, which captures attention more than a recording on a phone. Personally, I am a huge fan of Frank Warren & his invention of PostSecret. I really think it has changed the way people see the world and themselves. Just knowing someone may have it a little worse than you gives you a sense of satisfaction and gratefulness for your life. PostSecret changes your perception on life.

Sound Confessions

Assignment:

This assignment incorporates the medium of audio. Record a confession.  The confession cannot be yours.  The confession can be in the form of a secret or an apology.  You may use your voice, or the voice of someone else, to make the recording.  Before you embark on this journey, listen and watch the sources provided below.  Make a container to house the recording device.  The materials and processes used to construct the container should be reflective of the content of the confession.  No size limit.  Note: the recording device we are using has a button that needs to be pushed to activate the recording.  When planning your design, you will have to account for a space that will incorporate the button.  Use no less than three (3) different materials and no more than five (5) to construct the container.  No size limit.

Objective: 

Development of an idea that results in an expressive and meaningful visual and audio experience.

Materials: 

There is one required material for this assignment which is a small recording device that can be purchased at the local Radio Shack. You will also need a 9 volt battery.  The recording lasts 20 seconds.  Feel free to purchase another brand/type.  Other materials are your choice.  Remember, no less than 3 and no more than 5.

PROCESS PHOTOGRAPHS

My box is made out of plexi-glass & glue. I went to Lee & Cates glass and got some scraps for free. Then, with the crucial help of Russell, I made the measurements for the glass, cut the pieces using the bandsaw, and drilled holes using the drill with a special nail. After that I sanded the ends so they would hold together efficiently. By using the "Super Adhesive" -9001- Russell found on the floor, we started to attach the sides. Russell showed me how to use certain clamps so I did not have to hold all the sides together, which was awesome. They dried rather quickly, and 24 hours later my box was ready.

Then I had to sew my seatbelt back together after I had cut it out of the carseat. I attached it to the clear string I have bought around the drilled holes in the box to make it appear floating in air.

FINAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Confession-


"When I was 13, 
I was in a car accident.
I wasn't wearing my seatbelt. I went right through the windshield. Not many people know,
but those that do have forgotten. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder why 
I am alive when I should
have died."


This confession was a really important project for me. 
My accident was a huge turning point in my life, and it felt really great to tell strangers and not feel scared. My box was made in glass so my confession would be as exposed as possible, while still contained. I put the seatbelt in the center, vertically, so it would appear as if it was floating. The seatbelt is huge. It is an instant trigger to the memories of my accident. Every time I am in the car and someone isn't wearing their seatbelt I have a panic attack. Likewise, every time I am in the car and someone I do not know very well is driving I get nervous. Surviving my accident has driven me spiritually and that is the direction my confession was leaning to. I wonder why I am alive, and if there really is someone looking out for me.






Audio-


Link Here 

Masked Identity

Assignment: 

How would you describe your identity? Through the making of a sculptural head piece and imagery (photographs or video), compose a visual narrative that offers clues to your identity without showing your face. Use materials that emulate skin and skeleton (trace paper and wire). The form should cover your head and shoulders. Once the form is complete, video or photograph yourself (or someone else) wearing the form. Imagery should demonstrate a narrative that communicates your identity. Incorporate symbols into the narrative. The symbols can be part of the constructed form and/or photographed or photoshopped in the final imagery. The final solution for this assignment is photography or video. Upload/post on your class blog. 

Objective: 
Development of an idea that uses metaphor and symbols to visually communicate a personal narrative. 

Materials: 
Wire, wire cutters, safety glasses, tracing paper, gel medium, brushes, cup with water. 

In Class Writing Exercise:
In order to prepare for assignment, we will have an in class writing assignment. We will start with words - how the principles and elements of design can begin your description and then move on to ideas about symbols within a culture. Details given in class.

My Words

-Symmetry

-Bold

-Imaginative

-Balanced

-Centered

-Curves

PRoCeSS PHoToS

FiNaL PHoToS

My inspiration for my piece derives from my astrological glyph symbol (above).The Pisces symbol, featuring a pair of fish swimming head to tail in a circle is representative of life after death or reincarnation. Pisces are governed by a duality, a struggle of the spiritual soul within the physical body. I am a firm believer in astrology; therefore, I chose to center the focus of my identity around it. I incorporated the long symmetrical curves of the glyph symbol to express my personal struggle to stay balanced both mentally and physically. I believe the soul is placed in the body like a tree. And if you do not nurture your soul, it reflects on your body. Likewise, if you do not take care of your body, the soul is weakened. Which is why I do yoga, exercise, eat healthy, and do things I really enjoy. The square in between the two, symmetrical curved lines represents the need to be balanced, or centered, at all times. I have to work at this every day. Being unbalanced can only bring bad karma and negativity in my life. I maintain balance to stay positive. This piece really means a lot to me since it expresses a battle I face every day. 

Wolf Soap Carving

Final Product

My Process includes:

1. Cutting a deep hole in the mid section of the wolf.

2. Filling that hole with purple ink

3. Microwaving the soap for 25 seconds

4. Placing pieces of wire in the hole.

5. Coating the mid section with glue.

6. Pasting two Werthers original caramel candy wrappers.

7. Coating the remaining surface of soap with sea foam colored nail polish.

8. Placing a feather on the center of his head.

9. Freeze the entire sculpture for one entire night.

Paper Stacking

Assignment: 
Create two stacked paper forms.  The first is observed from life.  The second is your own design. 

#1 - Observe From Life.  Use your eyes and your hands to understand shape and line. Your subject is a fruit or vegetable.  I suggest purchasing a couple of pieces of produce. In case your first idea does not work, you have back up. Keep the size of your paper sculpture the same as the actual produce.

#2 - Your Own Design.  Using the same materials and the process of paper stacking as for the fruit/vegetable, create your own form. Stay away from cliches.  Prepare your design by doing research on-line.  






PROCESS PHOTOS

FINAL PHOTOGRAPHS

I did an apple. I used sandpaper and the sander in the wood shop to complete it' shape & create more texture. I then added a stem & leaf to confirm to the eye that it was a replica of an apple. Surprisingly, I had a lot of fun with this project. It was exciting to use heavy tools like the sander and not beak anything.