(Since I'm the only voice in this room of the forum, this thread is now hijacked for personal use 'till the end of the school year. Should make a good dump for art thoughts.)
So we're doing self-portraits in art class. We have to draw three of them, and I actually kinda like this project. I've already planned out what I'm going to do, and I think it's pretty symbolic of where I am in life. I'm going to draw myself ecorche style for all three, like an anatomical picture of a man only wearing his muscles and some bones, like this:
http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=ecorche&order=9&offset=0#/dzs26m. (All of this will be done in pencil and maybe some charcoal.)
Collectively, they provide a glimpse of my typical day. The first image is in the morning and will show me standing in front of my closet, back to the viewer, with arms outward and hands resting on the closet frame. Slightly relaxed yet tense stance as I pensively decide what to wear that day, the first of many choices throughout the day; because picking which clothes to wear is a reflects what role, what function, what use you are in society, this scene will be obviously symbolic of choice and identity -- what and who I am. Pretty easy material yet powerfully relevant due to my youth, just starting out in life with a whole wide world to explore.
The second scene is me at the Brain Factory, aka school, a medium for social propaganda. It will show a jail cell up close, looking in from the outside, bars prominently pushed in front of the picture as the viewer looks inside. Within will be a single desk with a stack of books and some paper & pencil. I'll be in the desk of course and opposite me, just outside the viewer's sight, will be a blackboard (i'll draw the edges of it and maybe some script on it to get the idea across). His body will be bored and resigned, elbow on desk and hand on cheek, veritably screaming "I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE, LET ME OUT".
Obviously, I'm rebelling against tradition and mindless indoctrination in this piece. Education dictates we think a certain way and know certain things that are deemed necessary by supposed experts to fulfill a societal quota, totally irrespective of the individual's talents and interests. Like Einstein, I refuse to let my education impede my learning, and I'm hoping to convey that here. (Afterthought: include a "Welcome to the Brain Factory" sign on one of the cell walls.)
The final frame will be of me at my computer desk, gazing out a large window split in twain, depicting pathways branching off into the distance. It will be night time, dark and dream-like. The view will be from the side and slightly behind, diagonal, so both me and the window (my future) can be seen. The content is again pretty obvious: choice and possibility. A young adult coming of age and venturing into his real life, condemned to the freedom of personal responsibility.
Just some thoughts spilling out so I can see them:
- Proper perspective and depth will be an issue, particularly in "The Brain Factory". Take time, lightly draw several cell dimensions and play with the bars; it's supposed to feel simultaneously clinically scientific and detached yet very personal and provokative.
- Be general, then specific. Draw limbs first, then modify for muscles; stop trying to do everything at once. TAKE YOUR TIME because all of these have to be really detailed. Start soon, next few weeks are going to be busy. Don't be afraid to ask Mom for help and advice with shading and those dreaded proportions.
- If asked to select one image of the three to 'favorite' and show in five different perspectives, ask teacher if you can just draw two more scenes because THE ENTIRE FRIGGIN SYMBOLISM AND MEANING WILL BE LOST IF YOU SEPARATE THE SCENES FROM EACH OTHER. THEY ARE A FAMILY OF IDEAS, THEY GO TOGETHER. This is more than a self-portrait; this is your timeline, your life, your potential as a human being. Don't let anyone play with that.
I believe that sometimes you should just enjoy the art, and dont analyse it too much, which I have a feeling is happening way too often, in general. I mean, if you analyse it and explain it all, then the art loses its charm, in my opinion. If you see it you see it, if you dont. Too bad.
