For your third assignment, please send to your tutor, by the method agreed:
• Finished piece or documentation of your post-studio work
• Experimental pieces
• The relevant pages of your learning log (or blog url)
• Some sample sketchbook pages.
• 500 word critical review
• Finished piece or documentation of your post-studio work
• Experimental pieces
• The relevant pages of your learning log (or blog url)
• Some sample sketchbook pages.
• 500 word critical review
Assignment: Visual Performance Art
As a Film teacher I have some experience in how this form of visual art is a great medium for creating symbolism and exploring themes. As mentioned before, I wanted to create pieces that explore ideas of femininity and masculinity. Not necessarily within the greater context of society as a whole, but rather through my own understandings and cultural influences. Like many other women, my perceptions of this topic, as well as my perceptions of myself, are influenced by the media, in particular fashion. I therefore wanted to create a piece that could be considered video/ performance art, but also fashion.
RESEARCH
Defining Feminine and Masculine
I found a good article on the Stanford University website (which you can find here) from which I have summarized the most important observations of femininity and masculinity:
- these terms represent a set of behaviors and qualities that are defined socio-culturally, meaning that the understanding of them changes and develops as cultures and individuals do.
- social factors like religion, class, national culture and norms mean that perceptions differ.
- these norms are most often impacted by the media and education
Fashion and Media research
I first began by looking at some fashion ads to help get a sense of the style used when filming models and the type of imagery created through this.
RESEARCH
Defining Feminine and Masculine
I found a good article on the Stanford University website (which you can find here) from which I have summarized the most important observations of femininity and masculinity:
- these terms represent a set of behaviors and qualities that are defined socio-culturally, meaning that the understanding of them changes and develops as cultures and individuals do.
- social factors like religion, class, national culture and norms mean that perceptions differ.
- these norms are most often impacted by the media and education
Fashion and Media research
I first began by looking at some fashion ads to help get a sense of the style used when filming models and the type of imagery created through this.
From the ads I noted down specific techniques that I wanted to use.
01:23 - Alexander McQueen ad - this makes use of several slow camera tilts which manipulates how they eye looks someone up and down.
03:50 - Dior ad - it is shot in a high contrasting black and white with a white background which really makes the figures and movements pop. The music in this is also quite upbeat which ads to the energy of the images.
05:30 - Marc Jacobs - use of light effect in some parts of the film to create visual interest.
07:00 - Mango - they make use of many close-up facial shots. There is also a play with light here, where it is usually directional, which creates great contrasting shadows.
PLANNING
Next I made a list of potential activities that could go into the film. I had to be realistic in considering things that I would actually be able to achieve. I started by considering activities for men as the bigger part of this exploration is to push the boundaries of femininity in men, particularly straight men. Thinking about posts, articles or videos I have seen online, I made a list of things that men are often made fun for being 'girly' or that may be culturally excepted as feminine behaviour.
- Doing house chores
- Clothing or accessories that are flamboyant
- Wearing make-up
- Having long hair
- Being sensitive
- Being soft and sensual
I also considered the portrayal of women in the media.
- they tend to be sexualized
- represented as weak
- only regarded for their looks
I knew I wanted to juxtapose images of the male and female pointing out these stereotypes. I wrote down a list of activities and from this compiled a rough shot list for filming, see images below.
01:23 - Alexander McQueen ad - this makes use of several slow camera tilts which manipulates how they eye looks someone up and down.
03:50 - Dior ad - it is shot in a high contrasting black and white with a white background which really makes the figures and movements pop. The music in this is also quite upbeat which ads to the energy of the images.
05:30 - Marc Jacobs - use of light effect in some parts of the film to create visual interest.
07:00 - Mango - they make use of many close-up facial shots. There is also a play with light here, where it is usually directional, which creates great contrasting shadows.
PLANNING
Next I made a list of potential activities that could go into the film. I had to be realistic in considering things that I would actually be able to achieve. I started by considering activities for men as the bigger part of this exploration is to push the boundaries of femininity in men, particularly straight men. Thinking about posts, articles or videos I have seen online, I made a list of things that men are often made fun for being 'girly' or that may be culturally excepted as feminine behaviour.
- Doing house chores
- Clothing or accessories that are flamboyant
- Wearing make-up
- Having long hair
- Being sensitive
- Being soft and sensual
I also considered the portrayal of women in the media.
- they tend to be sexualized
- represented as weak
- only regarded for their looks
I knew I wanted to juxtapose images of the male and female pointing out these stereotypes. I wrote down a list of activities and from this compiled a rough shot list for filming, see images below.
From the shot list I was able to plan what costumes and props would be needed. As I wanted to work in black and white to create a strong contrast, I chose to keep the male and female in black and white as well. I chose to show the female in a more revealing costume as this is how my perceptions have been influenced by the media. I dressed the male in a simple white vest and black shorts, as I wanted the focus to be on his emotions. The media often belittles men for showing emotion and harps on women for being too emotional. From the shot list I was also able to make sure I gathered all the necessary props and accessories needed, like make up, apron, iron, toys, wigs etc.
I was fortunate that I could use the Drama Studio at my school for filming, which also allowed me access to stage lighting which would help create a richer contrast. Our theaters, however, are all black so on the day of the shoot I had to piece together white wooden panels to create the white backdrop I wanted (left). It is not exactly ideal as I had to tape them together, but I feel it served a good purpose in creating contrast and casting shadow.
|
Filming
I used an iPhone and a wide lens attachment during filming. My husband did help me to film the sections where I was performing, but all scenes are directed by me. The shoot took about 5 hours.
Editing
I used Final Cut Pro X to edit the film. I applied a B&W filter and adjusted the RGB levels of each clip individually to achieve the high contrast look I wanted. There are two moments in the film where there are pops of red, which is the scene where the female's nipples are censored and where the male smudges his lipstick. I quite like these moments as I feel the colour contrast makes a bold statement.
Music
Once the footage was ready I needed to compose the music that would accompany it. I really liked the upbeat rock music that was used in the Dior Video from above, especially how the music builds as the ad plays out. I made use of 4 different Apple Loops in Garage band to create the final Composition, combining Alternating Line Bass, Afloat Beat, Boogie Right Hi-Hat Topper and Disc Battle Bass. I created a rise in energy at the start of the film, and then allowed for moments where the beat drops to favour the visuals on stage. A moment where this is really evident, is where the male cries and the other sounds are halted.
The final video will be shared privately, but below are some stills captured during the day. I chose frames that I feel have a strong composition and message.
I used an iPhone and a wide lens attachment during filming. My husband did help me to film the sections where I was performing, but all scenes are directed by me. The shoot took about 5 hours.
Editing
I used Final Cut Pro X to edit the film. I applied a B&W filter and adjusted the RGB levels of each clip individually to achieve the high contrast look I wanted. There are two moments in the film where there are pops of red, which is the scene where the female's nipples are censored and where the male smudges his lipstick. I quite like these moments as I feel the colour contrast makes a bold statement.
Music
Once the footage was ready I needed to compose the music that would accompany it. I really liked the upbeat rock music that was used in the Dior Video from above, especially how the music builds as the ad plays out. I made use of 4 different Apple Loops in Garage band to create the final Composition, combining Alternating Line Bass, Afloat Beat, Boogie Right Hi-Hat Topper and Disc Battle Bass. I created a rise in energy at the start of the film, and then allowed for moments where the beat drops to favour the visuals on stage. A moment where this is really evident, is where the male cries and the other sounds are halted.
The final video will be shared privately, but below are some stills captured during the day. I chose frames that I feel have a strong composition and message.
Reflection
I believe there final product shows evidence of my art and fashion inspiration. The imagery created is strong with symbolism that is generally obvious. The male breaks stereotypes by showing actions and activities typically considered feminine, while the female rebels against feminine activities. It also addresses body image, as so much of our identity is made up around our appearance. I am happy with the end result, I am sure if I had more time and sophisticated equipment I could improve the quality, but it the message is effective.
I believe there final product shows evidence of my art and fashion inspiration. The imagery created is strong with symbolism that is generally obvious. The male breaks stereotypes by showing actions and activities typically considered feminine, while the female rebels against feminine activities. It also addresses body image, as so much of our identity is made up around our appearance. I am happy with the end result, I am sure if I had more time and sophisticated equipment I could improve the quality, but it the message is effective.
critical review against assessment criteria
Demonstration of technical and visual skills – materials, techniques, observational skills, visual awareness, design and compositional skills
I have pushed my boundaries in this area, as I worked in mixed media and made use of various skills to create my pieces. In creating my structural pieces I observed the works of others like Grayson Perry and Mary Heilmann in order to find thematic and compositional inspiration. I have been thoughtful about the feminine/ masculine theme that I am working in and that shows in my compositional designs. Every object and visual was planned and chosen based on research which means they give a great visual impact. The decision to over exaggerate masculine and feminine traits was a good one as is not only makes the symbolism and meaning of my pieces clear, but also ads a touch of whimsy to the work. Working with found (or in my case, bought) pieces has been good, as the whole process of collecting the different materials, helps you to keep building on your compositional design. I have also enjoyed using some of my filmmaking knowledge and incorporating this into my performance art piece. Film is a multifaceted media, especially if you take on all the roles in the process of creation.
Quality of outcome – content, application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent manner, discernment, conceptualisation of thoughts, communication of ideas
As mentioned above. I was very thoughtful in creating a theme and did a great deal of research in order to gain multiples perspectives from different artists working in a similar theme. This helped to hone in my ideas and insure that what I communicated was coherent, especially as the pieces I have created rely on societal stereotypes and symbolism. I found it particularly interesting to see how different artists like Allen Jones and Claude Cahun deal with matters of gender stereotypes and how these types of works often take on a sexual nature. I am pleased that I took the approach of rather show-cacing my own views on masculine and feminine perceptions without it being of a highly sexual nature. For my structural pieces, especially, I took a more playful approach, an I believe that the symbolism I was going for is coherently communicated. From the choice of toys, the choice of colours and the representations of birthday cakes to show how we are influenced from a young age. I am especially proud of the performance art piece as this took a lot of planning and despite a lack of high production equipment, I managed to deliver high quality visuals.
Demonstration of creativity – imagination, experimentation, invention, development of a personal voice
I believe the pieces I have created are quite unique and true to my style, even though they are very different from painting. My thorough textual research really helped me to refine ideas. And even though I have several artists as inspiration, there is still a unique voice to my pieces, which shows that I have managed to learn from others in order to elevate my own work. The sculptural pieces and sculptural painting especially shows use of imagination and personal style. Even in my previous units I have commented on how I favour expressionist style art, particularly the use of vibrant colour and bold (even messy) brush strokes. I have kept this vibrant, energetic style in the works I completed in this module, even if not working on canvas. There is definitely an expressionistic vibe about the pieces I created and I believe it maintains my artists voice.
Context - reflection, research, critical thinking
I have been meticulous in documenting all the phases of my work, from research, to planning, creation phases and reflections on the final pieces. It is useful to identify aims, influences and inspiration, as these provide a type of guideline for me to assess my own work and progress. In this unit I can particularly see how having a more refined theme for my pieces has helped me produce work that speaks more boldly. Doing some contextual and historical research on the various movements in cultures regarding masculinity and femininity and considering my own influences from the media has helped me hone in to the specific visuals and messages that I wanted to use in my work. The conceptual pieces of Quilos and the Windmill, and figural sculptures by Antony Gomrley were of particular interest to me. I also made sure to do additional contextual research around my chosen themes in order to help me think more critically about the aim of my art. Creating an aim and a focus helps me to plan and organize my work. This is especially important when working in film, as you are responsible towards others and have to stick to schedules. My habit of reflecting after every piece is a good one, as it allows me to immediately assess the successes and challenges faced. Every piece I create is part of my larger learning and development as an artist and continues to push me forward.
I have pushed my boundaries in this area, as I worked in mixed media and made use of various skills to create my pieces. In creating my structural pieces I observed the works of others like Grayson Perry and Mary Heilmann in order to find thematic and compositional inspiration. I have been thoughtful about the feminine/ masculine theme that I am working in and that shows in my compositional designs. Every object and visual was planned and chosen based on research which means they give a great visual impact. The decision to over exaggerate masculine and feminine traits was a good one as is not only makes the symbolism and meaning of my pieces clear, but also ads a touch of whimsy to the work. Working with found (or in my case, bought) pieces has been good, as the whole process of collecting the different materials, helps you to keep building on your compositional design. I have also enjoyed using some of my filmmaking knowledge and incorporating this into my performance art piece. Film is a multifaceted media, especially if you take on all the roles in the process of creation.
Quality of outcome – content, application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent manner, discernment, conceptualisation of thoughts, communication of ideas
As mentioned above. I was very thoughtful in creating a theme and did a great deal of research in order to gain multiples perspectives from different artists working in a similar theme. This helped to hone in my ideas and insure that what I communicated was coherent, especially as the pieces I have created rely on societal stereotypes and symbolism. I found it particularly interesting to see how different artists like Allen Jones and Claude Cahun deal with matters of gender stereotypes and how these types of works often take on a sexual nature. I am pleased that I took the approach of rather show-cacing my own views on masculine and feminine perceptions without it being of a highly sexual nature. For my structural pieces, especially, I took a more playful approach, an I believe that the symbolism I was going for is coherently communicated. From the choice of toys, the choice of colours and the representations of birthday cakes to show how we are influenced from a young age. I am especially proud of the performance art piece as this took a lot of planning and despite a lack of high production equipment, I managed to deliver high quality visuals.
Demonstration of creativity – imagination, experimentation, invention, development of a personal voice
I believe the pieces I have created are quite unique and true to my style, even though they are very different from painting. My thorough textual research really helped me to refine ideas. And even though I have several artists as inspiration, there is still a unique voice to my pieces, which shows that I have managed to learn from others in order to elevate my own work. The sculptural pieces and sculptural painting especially shows use of imagination and personal style. Even in my previous units I have commented on how I favour expressionist style art, particularly the use of vibrant colour and bold (even messy) brush strokes. I have kept this vibrant, energetic style in the works I completed in this module, even if not working on canvas. There is definitely an expressionistic vibe about the pieces I created and I believe it maintains my artists voice.
Context - reflection, research, critical thinking
I have been meticulous in documenting all the phases of my work, from research, to planning, creation phases and reflections on the final pieces. It is useful to identify aims, influences and inspiration, as these provide a type of guideline for me to assess my own work and progress. In this unit I can particularly see how having a more refined theme for my pieces has helped me produce work that speaks more boldly. Doing some contextual and historical research on the various movements in cultures regarding masculinity and femininity and considering my own influences from the media has helped me hone in to the specific visuals and messages that I wanted to use in my work. The conceptual pieces of Quilos and the Windmill, and figural sculptures by Antony Gomrley were of particular interest to me. I also made sure to do additional contextual research around my chosen themes in order to help me think more critically about the aim of my art. Creating an aim and a focus helps me to plan and organize my work. This is especially important when working in film, as you are responsible towards others and have to stick to schedules. My habit of reflecting after every piece is a good one, as it allows me to immediately assess the successes and challenges faced. Every piece I create is part of my larger learning and development as an artist and continues to push me forward.
reflection on tutor feedback
As this section of the course required me to work outside of the painting medium, I was able to work in sculpture and film, and so I produced the pieces more confidently. This is also evident in the Tutor's response to the work. It is clear that having a topical focus for the work has made it easier to research and write about the pieces which allows the tutor to gain more insight. The tutor noted that the video piece could be broken into smaller segments and grouped into further topics like, body issues, gender control etc. At this point I am not going to re-edit the work, as the music was created specifically for the reel. I can however see the value in making smaller more topical focused pieces, especially if they were tied to an exhibition.
It is useful for me to consider how the paintings I produce can have some type of themed connection to help hone my focus. In particular, I think I will focus more on my figural works for now and leave the urban scapes for later studies.
It is useful for me to consider how the paintings I produce can have some type of themed connection to help hone my focus. In particular, I think I will focus more on my figural works for now and leave the urban scapes for later studies.