Digital Imaging + Print
MEDIUM:
Photographer +
Art Director
ROLE:
Digital Imaging
PROJECT:
False Standardizations
Artist Statement
Throughout generations socially and culturally constructed standards have been created slowly over time. There is not solely one person to blame but it has been becoming more prevalent over time. We judge ourselves based on what others think of us rather than our own view of ourselves. We focus on what we do, say, look and act like based of what has been shown through movies, magazines, and through those around us in order to "fit in" and "be accepted." And we cannot seem to escape this mindset and break free from the burden of constant internal judgement to just accept ourselves for who we truly want to be. Through this photo series, I have accomplished this commentary about false standardizations.
This was accomplished through the use of a very simplistic "personable" location and then surrounded by symbolic objects that correlate back to these false standardizations. The cut out images from magazines are commenting about how we are constantly comparing ourselves to others and wanting to be like them instead of loving ourselves for who we truly are. We care more about how others view us and how we look to them rather than being comfortable in our own bodies for how they are and embracing our true personalities and body structure. The hint of the tape and scissors on the dresser comment on how we are constantly changing ourselves to how we are socially and mentally constructed through society to be and look like. The individual smearing the mud on themselves in the images represent how we have become stuck in this mindset and it is often hard to escape what the society around us has created "unknowingly" in a way and therefore extremely hard to break free from this way of thinking about ourselves.
The major strength within this piece is the simplicity yet vulnerability of the individual to the viewer within their "private" space where they can express their true emotions. In the same manner, the action of the individuals smearing mud across their face really allows the concept to soak into the viewer that no matter how hard they try, this mindset is so interwoven within all of our lives that it is truly hard to escape, and it therefore often becomes something we feel we need to hide.
FALSE STANDARDIZATIONS
Digital Imaging
Photographer +
Art Director
Digital Imaging + Print
Over Consumerism
Artist Statement
Individuals in today’s world, especially America, rely heavily on objects to make them feel content and satisfied. They keep purchasing, demanding, fancying and investing in more and more inanimate objects that can never realistically make them pose peace. When they could simply appreciate the things they already have and focus on more valuable things in life that can truly achieve happiness like our relationships with one another. Through this photo series, I have accomplished this commentary about human over consumerism.
This was accomplished through the use of conceptually chosen and placed objects to express my commentary but in a very simplistically complex way. The complexity is within the overbearing amount of objects displayed within each image, but are organized and shown in a simplistic way to represent how this issue is quite apparent and easy to understand. The commentary about over consumerism is displayed within each image through the manner of human consumption of food to make it more relatable to the common concept of how we have to eat every day in order to provide our bodies with the adequate amount of nutrients in order to stay healthy and energized. Therefore, making a statement through these images that we have this internal mindset that we need to constantly buy something to achieve this sense of happiness and satisfaction.
The major strength within this piece is that the concept behind the initial commentary is very clear through the main subject of each image. The way in which they are placed and displayed makes it very straightforward to the viewer, and if not, it gets them thinking. Second, the lighting and color balance used helps demonstrate how this consumer based content is not one of true happiness but of a destructive manner. However, individuals still seem to think of it as something positive. Finally, the lack of figure focus helps make the hierarchy and importance of objects placed over human relationships to make us happy more evident and complete the concept as a whole.
MEDIUM:
ROLE:
PROJECT:
OVER CONSUMERISM
GRAPHIC DESIGN
FINE ARTS
ILLUSTRATION
