Final Piece and Presentation

Throughout this project, my concept has developed massively. Originally I wanted to create a piece around misplacement and misconception, however, after many obstacles and struggles in regards to what wanted to do... I have created my final piece around Media Representation.

I previously spoke on how I got to this point, but I will once again recap here. Using screenprints, the detail in the face of the model was lost. This caused me to dive into a deeper meaning behind people hiding their true identity. Due to the fact I was looking into Social Media in another area of research, I couldn't help but be in spired and drawn to this subject... ultimately ending in Media Representation.

For my Final piece, I have used an image I had taken of my friend that I then screenprinted. On top of the screenprint, I have stuck on the black and white image I had used for the print. I have purposefully left some of the edges peeling off the page, whilst the other half appears to be sown on. The reason I have done this, is to make the image appear as a mask. A mask that we wear in order to hide who we really are from other people. The 'mask' is peeling, beginning to show the true person we so desperately try to hide. This is also a metaphor for the cracks that can begin to show after having to keep something a secret for so long.

The use of a magazine represents the idealised and polished lifestyle people are expected to live. I decided on using letters from a magazine because it is highly focused on the visual aesthetic, much like how social media has caused us to care too much about the way we look. Magazines look into areas such as celebrity culture and beauty standards, both things that can be unrealistic and hold high expectations.

Using the phrase 'who controls the lens' refers to the person behind the camera that is making the decisions and shaping narratives in media. I chose to use 'they choose what you see' as a way to present the power posting on social media holds, chooing between an ideal representation of their lives in comparison to reality. Finally, the phrase 'I don't see me' is a clear implication to the facade we create through the use of media.

After the visit to NTU, I began thinking more into how I can present my work. Walking around their exhibition, I liked the art work that had loose, almost unconrolled aspects to them. I was wanting to add more layers into my work, therefore I decided this was a good opportunity to include wool. I chose to use the colour red: representing the desire, passion, danger, power and urgency that comes with media. I have chosen to contradict the red with blue. This is presenting: calm, trust and safety. The prominent colour in this is the red. I have done this to show the red as the overpowering sensations, with the blue fighting its way through (which is also why I did plaits out of the wool). The final thing to notice is the one piece of blue wool fighting its way through the top of the piece. This highlights hope, and how you can fight against the unhealthy elements of media and reach for a happy place. When it comes to actually exhibiting my final piece, I will use thumb tacks to secure the wools.

Due to the fact I was struggling for ideas throughout this topic, I am happy with how this piece has turned out. I think I have a strong concept that I have portrayed through my art work. The thing I would work on in the future, is a more refined outcome with even more layering included. I would also work on a bigger scale.