Imag(e)ine
Title: "Bond"
Size: 36 in x 36 in Medium: Silkscreen October 2018 Exhibition TextThe piece "Bond" is a silk screen that displays the important qualities of the ideal community from my point of view. Inspired by Matisse and the idea of unity in a community I decided to incorporate the image of two hands holding and an image of the Grant Park Locks to deliver the meaning easily to the viewer.
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Inspiration
I was inspired by the painting "Dance" by Henri Matisse. The reason why I chose this specific painting as an inspiration was because of the close nature of the people dancing while holding hands. After having decided what my inspiration was going to be I thought about "community" and what it meant to me. The idea of unity was important so I decided to focus on two hands holding and chose that as one of my images to create the background. The second piece that I used as inspiration was "Persistence of memory" by Salvador Dali. Specifically the hues that were used in the painting. The locks behind the two hands holding came from the concept of relationships or bonds. I took the photograph when I went with my family to the area called "The Grant Park Locks". In this place couples are known to leave locks on the chains as a way to show the love and commitment towards each other.
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Planning
Stencil Sketches
Before creating since the theme I had in mind was togetherness as the broad idea for the background I decided to make word stencils that state "UNITY" and "Peace". When making the "UNITY" word stencil I thought that it would be best to make it look more interesting so I drew it in a somewhat different font and added parts of the sides that created an emphasizing effect. As for the "Peace" word stencil the way i drew it was more towards the basic side but I made it vertical in order for it to look different. On the right you can see the sketches of the stencils I was planned on making. The two stencils that I did end up cutting out from the used in " Bond" was #1 and # 2.
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Process
Background Making Process
[1 & 2] In order to make what I had in mind for my first background I started off by taking a picture of my hand holding my friends hand. After I had the image I used Photoshop to edit and create the first final background. I first used the "Quick Selection Tool" to copy the figure of the hands holding. After having copied the figure of the holding hands I pasted it on to the blank 36 in x 36 in page. |
[3 & 4] Once I pasted the cut out figure of the holding hands I used the "Free Transform Tool". This tool allows the shape of a certain image to be modified whether its distortion or something simple as enlarging or reducing the size of the image which is what I did. After making the figure of the holding hands bigger I placed it on the top half of the final background page.
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[7 & 8] After having copied and pasted the image I used the "Free transform tool" in order to enlarge the image. I thought it would be best if I put the image behind the holding hands because the negative space made it look too empty. In order to place the lock image behind I used the " Quick selection tool" once again to cut off I bit of the bottom left corner that was poking out.
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Stencil Making Process
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Silkscreen Printing Process
- The first step is to chose what color ink do you want to make your prints with. Up to two colors can be chosen.
- After choosing the ink you mix it for it to be at a good consistency. Once you've done that you grab the silkscreen and you place it where the metal rim is facing down towards the table.
- The third step is to grab your stencil and place it over the silkscreen. Making sure the image is in the middle of the screen you fold the excess patty paper to the sides and tape them in place.
- After taping and making sure the stencil is secure you can turn the silkscreen over (metal rim is facing upwards from the table). Once that is done you can place the screen where you want in any direction on the background image.
- The fourth step is to add ink with a spoon on the upper area of the stencil.
- With the squeegee, using a bit of pressure you pull down the ink and make sure to spread it all over the stencil.
- After spreading the ink you remove the silk screen and the print is done.
- If you want to continue using the same stencil and same colored ink you keep spreading the ink and making prints.
- In case you want to change the stencil or use a different color you have to remove the stencil
- After removing the stencil you must wash the ink off with water, wipe the water off and blow dry the screen until its completely ready to be used again.
Critique
Compare
Similarities between my work and Matisse's painting is that in both there are holding hands shown. In common both pieces also use organic shapes and use negative space. Contrast The piece "Dance" by Henri Matisse is a painting and its medium is "Oil Paint", on the contrary my piece's medium is Silkscreen. Matisse displays various bright hues in his painting but on the other hand the colors in my piece were solid and dark. For example the background is grey with multicolored locks and the colors of the ink used to make the prints were dark purple and dark green. Another difference between Matisse's "Dance" and my work "Bond" was the medium. |
Reflection
I was very content with how my final background turned out after I finished merging the holding hand image an the Grant Park locks image. At first I wasn't sure what to use for the background since I didn't know what aspect of community to display through the work. After researching the meaning of "Community" I decided to create a piece that shows the important qualities of the ideal community. Using Matisse's painting "Dance" as inspiration I chose to incorporate the holding hands aspect to my piece to help display "Unity'. One thing I know I could have done much better was in adding many more prints of my stencils. The reason why I wasn't able to was because of the limited amount of time at MIAD. In a rush I ended up just printing two of the same stencils and one different one in the the most neat manner as possible. Another thing that could've been better is the lack colors in the stencil prints but since the Silkscreen process is time consuming I kept using the same color in order to avoid washing the screen as much and to print more on the background.
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you you were able to "identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork" - The piece that inspired my work helped further depict the qualities of an ideal community into a visual form. For example both pieces include people holding hands but the use of the holding hands in my piece are intended to demonstrate "Unity".
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? - When approaching from my point of view it was made clear that I was aware of Matisse's expertise as a painter. While researching I also learned about his inspirations from different cultures and communities.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? - Through my inspiration I realized that artwork of any kind can connect people. As for culture I learned that the piece that inspired me "Dance" was made with the intention to show happiness and the sense of joy.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? - The central idea around my research was to show what I thought were the qualities of the ideal community.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? - I thought about what was the driving force of the artist when they created the painting.
Clearly explain how you you were able to "identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork" - The piece that inspired my work helped further depict the qualities of an ideal community into a visual form. For example both pieces include people holding hands but the use of the holding hands in my piece are intended to demonstrate "Unity".
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? - When approaching from my point of view it was made clear that I was aware of Matisse's expertise as a painter. While researching I also learned about his inspirations from different cultures and communities.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? - Through my inspiration I realized that artwork of any kind can connect people. As for culture I learned that the piece that inspired me "Dance" was made with the intention to show happiness and the sense of joy.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? - The central idea around my research was to show what I thought were the qualities of the ideal community.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? - I thought about what was the driving force of the artist when they created the painting.
Citation [MLA Format]
- “The Dance by Henri Matisse.” Henri Matisse, www.henrimatisse.org/the-dance.jsp.
- “Henri Matisse Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm.
- “Henri Matisse Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm.
- “The Dance by Henri Matisse.” Henri Matisse, www.henrimatisse.org/the-dance.jsp.
- “Henri Matisse Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm.
- “Henri Matisse Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm.