Digital Collage
Critical Investigation
Artist Inspiration:
Robert Longo Robert Longo is my artist inspiration, specifically his series of "Men in the cities" created in 1979. He is a contemporary artist who has been fascinated with pop culture. This fascination has influenced his art greatly, heading into propaganda and transforming commercial and cinematic images into high impact billboard sized paintings and charcoal drawings. First, he took photographs of his subjects, and then he reproduced the image using the paint or charcoal. The basis on his approach is explained when he says in 1984, “I always imagine that I want to make art that is going to kill you.. Whether it’s going to do it visually or physically, I’ll take either way.” His series of “Men in the Cities” was specifically created to project the violence of the city during the night. He did this through displaying the city through finely dressed people, people with class. The battle was portrayed through stop motion photo-like pieces. The positions are found to be in incredible, awkward, and almost impossible looking positions. However, the more you look at the piece, the less of a shock it becomes, which plays into the propaganda aspect. Most of the individual pieces within "Men in the Cities" are left untitled, creating a sense mystery. Culture: During the late 1970's in the city of New York, there was a lot of crime and violence, and competition with propaganda was fierce. Everything dealt with what was popular with the public at the time; the public's popular culture, or pop culture. These things include clothing style, language, music, gossip, movies, dances, quotes, icons, and so much more. In order to advertise, things needed to be surprising enough to appeal to the public's eye. Companies all had something to say through visual symbolism. Longo was inspired by propaganda and how something was no longer an image, but a part of a visual culture. He worked to be a part of the this. His series of "Men in the Cities" did find their way into pop culture. The subjects used this to display the contortions that project the battle of emotions and the violence in the city of New York. |
Robert Longo- "Men in the cities," 1979 series
@hamiltonselway. "Men in the Cities - Hamilton Selway." Hamilton Selway. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. Robert Longo- "Men in the cities",1979 series
"Men in the Cities by Robert Longo HD Wallpaper." Men in the Cities by Robert Longo HD Wallpaper. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. |
Planning and Journaling
Sketches:
In the beginning, the first thing that I worked on was my sketches of body positions and taking pictures. At first, I was going to include my self (this is why I have a sketch of a female), or other people I found important to me, but then trying to be realistic to the time frame, I decided it would be best if i focused on just one subject. My subject was
In the beginning, the first thing that I worked on was my sketches of body positions and taking pictures. At first, I was going to include my self (this is why I have a sketch of a female), or other people I found important to me, but then trying to be realistic to the time frame, I decided it would be best if i focused on just one subject. My subject was
Photographing Scenes:
From here, I took a day to go out into parts of downtown Milwaukee and take pictures that I could use for a possible background. I thought of how Longo used the city as subject inspiration, and so I felt it would be appropriate to use my city as a background and apply it to my digital collage. I experimented with different angles, time of day, and viewpoints to help formulate ideas that would work with these possible backgrounds.
From here, I took a day to go out into parts of downtown Milwaukee and take pictures that I could use for a possible background. I thought of how Longo used the city as subject inspiration, and so I felt it would be appropriate to use my city as a background and apply it to my digital collage. I experimented with different angles, time of day, and viewpoints to help formulate ideas that would work with these possible backgrounds.
Photographing People:
After this, I began with the actual photo shoot for my subjects, later while photographing adjusting to only one subject- My brother.
I used teachers that I considered were important to me, myself, my best friend, and my brother in awkward positions. First, it was specified how I wanted bodies to be positioned, but as I kept working, it seemed to be better if the contortions happened naturally and were instead photographed at that point in time.
After this, I began with the actual photo shoot for my subjects, later while photographing adjusting to only one subject- My brother.
I used teachers that I considered were important to me, myself, my best friend, and my brother in awkward positions. First, it was specified how I wanted bodies to be positioned, but as I kept working, it seemed to be better if the contortions happened naturally and were instead photographed at that point in time.
Process and Experimentation:
In the beginning, the first thing that I worked on was my sketches of body positions and taking pictures. At first, I was going to include my self (this is why I have a sketch of a female), or other people I found important to me, but then trying to be realistic to the time frame, I decided it would be best if i focused on just one subject.
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In the beginning, the first thing that I worked on was my sketches of body positions and taking pictures. At first, I was going to include my self (this is why I have a sketch of a female), or other people I found important to me, but then trying to be realistic to the time frame, I decided it would be best if i focused on just one subject.
***Click or hover to display caption
Reflecting:
As for the process, it was difficult trying to adjust to Photoshop. I feel that with this piece, I learned a lot. There was too much information going on within the piece. Longo taught me that there is lots of meaning even behind the simplest looking pieces. They carry a lot of power in the most simplistic and elegant ways. Looking back at my piece, I really liked how it turned out. I wouldn't change anything. I feel that what I'm trying to convey is very visible. My intentions were to have the white bricks symbolize purity. In knowing this, you now understand that he stands on purity and innocence, which is a good thing if you have to deal with things like not being able to communicate or have people understand you, bullying, and having adjustments made so you can do things. The comfort clothing is his free spirit, light-heartedness, and his comfortably. The dull flowers represent life. They also represent my life and myself in general. The color being spilled and absorbed into the flower show how he adds vibrancy into my life. The contortion conveys the emotional, physical, and social battles he faces everyday. The position is almost comfortable looking, which would display how he is used to t and how he has survived and been able to enjoy his everyday life despite the battle he has with his disability. The reason he is centered is because he is the center of my universe, my motivation to move forward, and my hero. Overall, I'm very content with my piece. However, it would be interesting to do a series of different subjects and in different places.
As for the process, it was difficult trying to adjust to Photoshop. I feel that with this piece, I learned a lot. There was too much information going on within the piece. Longo taught me that there is lots of meaning even behind the simplest looking pieces. They carry a lot of power in the most simplistic and elegant ways. Looking back at my piece, I really liked how it turned out. I wouldn't change anything. I feel that what I'm trying to convey is very visible. My intentions were to have the white bricks symbolize purity. In knowing this, you now understand that he stands on purity and innocence, which is a good thing if you have to deal with things like not being able to communicate or have people understand you, bullying, and having adjustments made so you can do things. The comfort clothing is his free spirit, light-heartedness, and his comfortably. The dull flowers represent life. They also represent my life and myself in general. The color being spilled and absorbed into the flower show how he adds vibrancy into my life. The contortion conveys the emotional, physical, and social battles he faces everyday. The position is almost comfortable looking, which would display how he is used to t and how he has survived and been able to enjoy his everyday life despite the battle he has with his disability. The reason he is centered is because he is the center of my universe, my motivation to move forward, and my hero. Overall, I'm very content with my piece. However, it would be interesting to do a series of different subjects and in different places.
Critique:
Longo had inspired my piece in many ways. There is a strong connection with my artist. composition of my piece is centered much like Longos The subjects we chose are all in awkward body contortions. The head is tilt back and the arms are visible, much like the single figure 1979 piece up above. They both look like they're dancing and it brings that touch of beauty into both pieces. Both pieces display a personal battle and the emotions that they carry because of it.
However, differences are quite visible. Our subjects and the way they dress are very different. I wanted it to be a bit more light-hearted and innocent, which is why I kept him in comfortable clothes and socks True, the positions of the figures are very different, but with my piece the feet are facing out towards "life" and the viewer in an inviting way. The way he leans back contradicts the invite, which plays into that symbolic both social and personal battle, which with Longo, he displayed the violence in a city, not an illness. My background is obviously not plain white. Its a separate photograph with black and gray tones. My subject is in color, unlike Longo. The mediums are also different. He did photograph first, but then he reproduced the image by using charcoal.
However, differences are quite visible. Our subjects and the way they dress are very different. I wanted it to be a bit more light-hearted and innocent, which is why I kept him in comfortable clothes and socks True, the positions of the figures are very different, but with my piece the feet are facing out towards "life" and the viewer in an inviting way. The way he leans back contradicts the invite, which plays into that symbolic both social and personal battle, which with Longo, he displayed the violence in a city, not an illness. My background is obviously not plain white. Its a separate photograph with black and gray tones. My subject is in color, unlike Longo. The mediums are also different. He did photograph first, but then he reproduced the image by using charcoal.
Connecting to ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause and effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
Longo influenced my piece somewhat. I mostly mimicked capturing body movement at awkward moments.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
Longo views the city at night as pure mayhem of violence. In a way, its chaos is beautiful, and so he uses the body contortions to depict it.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
New York during this time was practicing different forms of propaganda due to the invention of the better camera. New York also at the time had carried a lot of violence, which was the central subject for Longo's series.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Movement that could portray feelings was something that I really wanted to convey in a single snapshot like Longo did. I wanted to show both sides, the negative and the positive.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I felt that Longo had been mesmerized and had an obsession with capturing the capability of the human body at awkward angles and in movement. I believe that the seemingly inhuman contortions must have fascinated him because of how many photographs and charcoal drawings he created without even titling most. He created them at a large scale so that others would be mesmerized by it too at first, but the more you look at it the less remarkable it becomes, and feel as though he almost intends for that to happen.
Longo influenced my piece somewhat. I mostly mimicked capturing body movement at awkward moments.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
Longo views the city at night as pure mayhem of violence. In a way, its chaos is beautiful, and so he uses the body contortions to depict it.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
New York during this time was practicing different forms of propaganda due to the invention of the better camera. New York also at the time had carried a lot of violence, which was the central subject for Longo's series.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Movement that could portray feelings was something that I really wanted to convey in a single snapshot like Longo did. I wanted to show both sides, the negative and the positive.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I felt that Longo had been mesmerized and had an obsession with capturing the capability of the human body at awkward angles and in movement. I believe that the seemingly inhuman contortions must have fascinated him because of how many photographs and charcoal drawings he created without even titling most. He created them at a large scale so that others would be mesmerized by it too at first, but the more you look at it the less remarkable it becomes, and feel as though he almost intends for that to happen.