This wrap up post is a follow up to the previous long post (refer 2 posts below) on the ideas and concepts behind the final outcome of this art project. In this post I shall focus on the process of the final developments on the portrait photographs as well as the 10 miniature sculptures of the middle fingers.
I shall first discuss about the sculptures. I first had a hard time deciding how the outcome of the figures would become. And after much contemplation and discussion (also due to reality constraints) I decided to work on miniatures. I have much experience painting miniatures (mainly 28mm) but this was my first attempt at sculpting them. Many alien hands were sacrificed as I tried and experimented till I was satisfied that it represented a hand and ultimately a middle finger quite appropriately. In fact, during the photo-shoot session I was genuinely flattered as many of my picture subjects asked me where I bought my miniature hands from and who actually produces such stuff!
For the portrait shots it was definitely a real challenge getting the 100 shots. I met a lot of people and also met with a lot of resistance! It was very gratifying get all the responses as I explained to them what my project was about, as well as trying to explain why I had chosen to use such a ‘vulgar’ literal expression for my topic. And I am glad that majority of the responses I had is actually in support and am on the same page as the artwork expression. There were also a small percentage of people who totally did not agree with my artwork and wanted nothing to do with it. Can’t please everyone I guess.
The responses I have received at the gallery opening itself was also very encouraging. Although one cannot deny that it is partly due to the controversial issue and artwork I did. I also can see that many were interested further as they asked me about my project from an aesthetic and concept point of view. This was not just the art people but from the guests as well.
Overall I had a very good experience working with this project as I opted to work with art forms and materials that I had no or very little experience with. And I worked around the constraints and issues to produce an artwork that I am very satisfied with. This was also my first time attempting a topic on such a controversial and “OB marker” issue coupled with an equally blatant and controversial sculpture and expression.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Development for final outcome.
A lengthy post ensues. But necessary nonetheless.
As I was sculpting my hands as thought about various comments and ideas on how I could further present my project without being that literal, yet still maintaining it's intended "shock" reaction effect.
Many have stated various views about the middle finger representing the different flags of countries involved (as well as pure disgust or objection). These are all extremely valid to me and my project as this topic I am dealing with justifies all of the above reactions. Many people have outright expressions (like me), however there are also a large number that participates in either silent or passive protest objections both to and against the whole issue.
As I have already explored my own personal direct reaction to this issue (the sculpting of the middle finger and all it encompasses) I am beginning to feel the various reactions from others viewing my little "eff off" sculptures rather interesting. It allows me to take my own reaction further by also trying to understand their take on the issue at hand. While this is a sensitive issue often swept under the carpet I have gathered very varied outburst and expressions by people around me. A fellow classmate even said that she found it cute! This definitely highlights the varied layers and complexity such as issue brought forth entails.
Also past week I had a small gathering at my home and while the visitors saw my work-in-progress sculptures we inevitably discussed about it. The initial (and still withstanding) idea of sculpting them in miniature version is to make veiwers look closely and scrutinize not only the sculpture but the issue as well.
This was further highlighted by my visitors as they held them in their hands and took a long hard look at it while i was explaining why I chose to represent my own reaction to this issue by using a middle finger. The result was a very diverse and unexpected look on the faces of my visitors as they internalized and formed judgments and responses of their own. Of course a heated debate ensued, however it was their expression as they held my miniature finger near their face and internalized that caught my attention.
Therefore I am going to try to bring my completed sculptures to 100 different people. And explain to them what my sculpture is about and do a portraiture of their expressions. This not only allows me to have my take on the issue, but also an instant reactionary counter to it that allows me to take that step further in exploring this sensitive issue. Of course the evolution is not coming to a definitive halt, but I felt this enhances the whole idea of wanting a reaction and actually getting it all the while documenting it to produce a supposed 'final' work. This brings it slightly back into a loop however I feel those looking at the reactions of others as a final work will develop very different conclusions and responses to the sculpture as opposed to just seeing the sculptures itself. It adds another layer of "evidence" they would have otherwise not thought of and enables them to come to an "informed conclusion" depending on how they view the "evidence"
I will take some test shots this coming week when I return to school and put them up and see how it goes.
Meanwhile the endless sculpting carries on.... Here are some pictures.
* In case some of you are wondering why chose to sculpt them one by one instead of casting them. It is because I did not want an obvious repetitive look as this issue involves many people and the variation in hand sizes and sculpt aids in that direction.
As I was sculpting my hands as thought about various comments and ideas on how I could further present my project without being that literal, yet still maintaining it's intended "shock" reaction effect.
Many have stated various views about the middle finger representing the different flags of countries involved (as well as pure disgust or objection). These are all extremely valid to me and my project as this topic I am dealing with justifies all of the above reactions. Many people have outright expressions (like me), however there are also a large number that participates in either silent or passive protest objections both to and against the whole issue.
As I have already explored my own personal direct reaction to this issue (the sculpting of the middle finger and all it encompasses) I am beginning to feel the various reactions from others viewing my little "eff off" sculptures rather interesting. It allows me to take my own reaction further by also trying to understand their take on the issue at hand. While this is a sensitive issue often swept under the carpet I have gathered very varied outburst and expressions by people around me. A fellow classmate even said that she found it cute! This definitely highlights the varied layers and complexity such as issue brought forth entails.
Also past week I had a small gathering at my home and while the visitors saw my work-in-progress sculptures we inevitably discussed about it. The initial (and still withstanding) idea of sculpting them in miniature version is to make veiwers look closely and scrutinize not only the sculpture but the issue as well.
This was further highlighted by my visitors as they held them in their hands and took a long hard look at it while i was explaining why I chose to represent my own reaction to this issue by using a middle finger. The result was a very diverse and unexpected look on the faces of my visitors as they internalized and formed judgments and responses of their own. Of course a heated debate ensued, however it was their expression as they held my miniature finger near their face and internalized that caught my attention.
Therefore I am going to try to bring my completed sculptures to 100 different people. And explain to them what my sculpture is about and do a portraiture of their expressions. This not only allows me to have my take on the issue, but also an instant reactionary counter to it that allows me to take that step further in exploring this sensitive issue. Of course the evolution is not coming to a definitive halt, but I felt this enhances the whole idea of wanting a reaction and actually getting it all the while documenting it to produce a supposed 'final' work. This brings it slightly back into a loop however I feel those looking at the reactions of others as a final work will develop very different conclusions and responses to the sculpture as opposed to just seeing the sculptures itself. It adds another layer of "evidence" they would have otherwise not thought of and enables them to come to an "informed conclusion" depending on how they view the "evidence"
I will take some test shots this coming week when I return to school and put them up and see how it goes.
Meanwhile the endless sculpting carries on.... Here are some pictures.
* In case some of you are wondering why chose to sculpt them one by one instead of casting them. It is because I did not want an obvious repetitive look as this issue involves many people and the variation in hand sizes and sculpt aids in that direction.
Monday, October 17, 2011
More S'poreans turn to private schools to get degrees
Another issue today in the Yahoo news that garnered majority of people blaming the foreigners.
The NUS and NTU are filled by foreign students and hence the local fools have to go for private university. I think the local fools are just wasting their time and money pursuing for a diploma or degree. The foreign talents armed with faked certificates will be selected for employment because they’re cheaper.
The main reason for them to go to private uni is becoz FT has invaded local unis and rape us of the scholarships!!!
locals - pay $ to foreign U - but FT come in (not sure degree real/not) get the job easy...
after local finish U, got job?
still thinking of the logic of this scenario... 伤脑筋
singaporean taking up private degree while foreigners at local univ how contradicting.
We work so hard and spend so much to get that desired certs but foreigners with fake certs that got the job!!!
Lin-Nia lah. Study so hard and waste money also lose jobs to FTs. Ku-Li-Kang cannot fight one.
The NUS and NTU are filled by foreign students and hence the local fools have to go for private university. I think the local fools are just wasting their time and money pursuing for a diploma or degree. The foreign talents armed with faked certificates will be selected for employment because they’re cheaper.
The main reason for them to go to private uni is becoz FT has invaded local unis and rape us of the scholarships!!!
locals - pay $ to foreign U - but FT come in (not sure degree real/not) get the job easy...
after local finish U, got job?
still thinking of the logic of this scenario... 伤脑筋
singaporean taking up private degree while foreigners at local univ how contradicting.
We work so hard and spend so much to get that desired certs but foreigners with fake certs that got the job!!!
Lin-Nia lah. Study so hard and waste money also lose jobs to FTs. Ku-Li-Kang cannot fight one.
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