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Techniques and processes.

This unit involved a lot of print and computer based workshops. Learning the basics of how to use illustrator and how to then transfer those skills into creating pattern to later be brought to life using the laser cutter. I enjoyed this workshop, however I had already used both of these programs and machines before, but it was helpful to touch up on my knowledge and update it. I enjoyed the boldness you can create with Lino printing, I chose to do two very simple designs that linked to the theme of my studio culture module, however it is also possible to do much more detailed design, once you have your design and it is neatly cut out, it is possible to do many identical prints in whatever colour you desire. Another workshop I attended was the etching workshop, however this was a very long process, one that I did not plan to link into my studio Culture module. The weaving workshop was fun to create different weaves using many different materials, I unfortunately did not get a lot of photographic or physical evidence for this workshop as most of it was a group effort. I have also set up an exhibition space before for my foundation degree, however I created an installation which involved a very different way of displaying my work, it was very helpful to learn how to display paintings rather than a big sculpture of installation as I didn't realise there are so many different methods to achieve your final goal. Because my studio culture module is based on the body I participated in life drawing sessions, using different medias to draw with and experimenting with colours. Drawing in this atmosphere and doing drawings faster than I usually would was helpful in developing my drawing skills. If i were to do this module again I would have liked to transfer some more of these skills that I learnt into my Studio Culture module for example the cyanotype. Also due to a personal low budget I was not able to create as many Lino prints as I desired.

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Studio Culture, the body and the perfect image.

When given the subject of the human body I began to think of how the body is represented, firstly I had the idea to look into how the body transforms through different ages, from a toddlers first steps to a mind decaying in elderly people. However in the time frame given I did not feel I would be able to explore this to its full potential. I then took another look at how the body is deceived in the media, how much pressure is placed on people and their body image. Certain celebrities are heavy influences as to how the media depicts how we should look, these celebrities include Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner. Wondering what is it that makes these woes features so desirable and looking into why it is that we as the public aspire to look like them and achieve impossible goals to be seen as “perfect” looking people. Focusing on their curves and proportions of their bodies, including facial features. Using a mix of different media, painting, photography, video, drawing and print to explore the curves and what it takes to achieve this image. People go to extreme lengths to achieve what the media says is the perfect image, I myself chose to participate in lip fillers to enhance the shape and achieve a fuller lip look. This I did a performance piece on, which is included in my work. Showing two different examples of how easily influenced people are, wether this is a taught thing, or a natural ability we are born with, following others, following a trend. is it survival instincts or are we taught throughout our lives that it is right to copy others and do what others do. During this project I went to a local primary school to get a perspective on how children see themselves, wether they follow the sheep effect or are less likely to fall inline and copy others like a lot of adults are seen to do. Doing the social experiment to see if the children would follow each other, I started by placing a piece of paper on the wall, on the floor in front of the paper were plates with different paint colours on, I told the first 4 children that I wanted them to put their hands into the paint and then place their handprints as high up the paper as possible, this plan was unknown to the other 23 students in the class, however i found that without complain or questioning the rest of the class followed suit and did exactly as the child in front. Thus making me to believe that we may be more likely to be born with the natural instinct to follow rather than lead. I then asked each of the children to draw a picture of themselves without using a mirror to see how each individual child thinks of themselves and their image. A lot of the children began to get frustrated because they believed they looked nothing like the pictures they had drawn, however I noticed a theme, a theme of big eyes, long hair for the girls, some of the boys drew muscles on themselves, this leads me to believe that the idea of body image and how people feel they should look starts at a frighteningly young age. These children were just 9 years old. If I was given the chance to do this project again I would have liked to be able to work more with these children to discover what they see as the perfect image and who are their role models, unfortunately I did not have enough time to go through with this, working around my own schedule and the primary schools.

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Examples of types of beauty filler and lash extensions that people get in order of the sake of beauty. Some salons do a ‘Kylie Jenner package’, including lip fillers, jaw line, chin and cheek bones, all being filled to achieve a stronger shaped face. I personally have had two of these procedures, more than once. I have been having eye lash extensions every month for nearly 2 years and I have had lip fillers twice, 1/2ml and 1ml.

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The Kylie Jenner challenge

A trend that came about after Jenner modelled her new, fuller lips. This trend involved using a plastic, or glass shot glass and placing it over yur lips, then sucking so that the suction allows the cup to stay attached to her lips. After so long pull the glass of, the suction caused blood to go to the lips resulting in swelling, giving the image of larger, fuller lips. However this is really not good for you health, it caused a lot of bruising on people and in some extreme cases it caused the lip to split. 

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Kylie Jenner

Known for her bright hair and full lips, the young TV personality has been in the public eye from a very young age. She began to become more in focus when she had lip fillers, which also led to the teen having her own lipstick range. 

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Kim Kardashian-West

Known massively across the world, mainly for her curves. Spread across magazines in various tight outfits, showing off her every curve, constantly criticised for how she looks, whats she's wearing, he parenting, latest make up look, every aspect of her life is scrutinised by media and the public. She and her siblings are constantly compared and described as having such a desired image. People referring to surgery to have implants and other surgeries just to look ever so slightly like a ‘Kardashian’. With her symmetrical face, full lips, tanned skin, full chest, large hips, tiny waist and wight teeth, all features massively desired, desired as this is the image the media pushes as the perfect image, meaning people want to follow these latest trends.

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Stop motion video, created by me and Sophie during the workshop. Details of workshop and process in my diary.

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Neon sign. Neon lights are known to stand out. Putting a message in neon is more likely to be noticed, the whole message about ‘perfect’ doesn’t actually exist needs to be heard by many people around the world of all ages and all sexes.

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Measuring and setting up the exhibition. Using nails and magnets to hold my work up neatly. Some used resulting to use split batons to desolate their work, others aluminium picture frame hangers. Once all the work was hung, sanding down any old holes around the word, filling them in and painting over with white paint to create a sleek finish.

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Examples of painting with medical needle. Artists unknown.

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Workshop on how to prepare and display our work in an exhibition setting, I have written about it in my diary. The method I chose for my final pieces in the exhibition were the magnets.

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Starting on a spare piece of wood and creating this acrylic painting of Kim Kardashian’s latest Instagram photograph. Kim Kardashian is massively in media’s spotlight for her body and photographs. To many she represents the ‘perfect’ body image.

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Using Lino printing method to create simple yet effective prints. Choosing the colour black and white to go with the theme of my work and a bright print to stereotypically represent females.

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Lino print workshop, process written in my diary.

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Looking at different skin tones and displaying them in an abstract way, focusing on different curves of a woman’s body. I painted this picture using a syringe filled with acrylic, it gave a thick organic line. I chose a syringe as it closely resembles a needle, therefor linking to the idea of surgical, cosmetic filler etc.

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Karen Cusolito

This immense sculpture designed and created by Karen Cusolito to me represents a cold hard outer skin except the gaps in the metal demonstrate this hard composure wasting away and revealing the hard mechanics of the inner body and showing how things need to fit and work together to create the human body. Every hard working muscle has to suffer to allow you to achieve and thrive at new physical challenges. From the outside you don't see the heart rapidly beating in your chest, working to its limits to keep your exhausted body alive. But Cusolito’s sculptures, even exposing the inside structure has an extreme beauty about it. Completely made of cold metal and standing isolated at 30ft tall, creating a lonely atmosphere. Every time I look at this masterpiece it reminds me of an athletes persona, with its strength and mighty impact on the viewer. Built completely of salvage steel, cusolito built nothing into something. Cusolito claims that this art piece demonstrates emotions of passion and posture of exaltation it can inspire. A very striking part of cusolito’s sculpture is that the hair is made of clains, chains to me represent slavery and control, but not self control, involuntarily, someone else having control over you, chains fill my mind with horrific images and the idea of fear; fear of never gaining control. This is Cusolito’s ‘Ecstasy’.

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Richard Stainthorp

Stainthorp focuses on mainly the human body, showing its true beauty in a series of posses and metal weave sculptures. He captures the curves and angles of an elegant human body, displaying this by creating delicate weave like designs using long pieces of metal, twisting together to form a human body. He includes heaven and hell in his work by including wings, of different designs in much detail.