Harmony
Relationships among colors, shapes, elements, form, space, texture, value, proportion, time…
Changing meaning, creating rhythm, manipulating perception
Throughout the creation of my collages, I inherently pushed for repetition of color and shapes within the “frame”. I really enjoy the creation of different worlds, illusions, and ideas through imagery.
In the collage I placed first (titled Recognition) I began to repeat different elements in diverging directions in order to convert the flat space into a space of layered color and forms. I incorporated the scanned tin foil face and the South Congress bowling pins (which both have recognizable facial elements) in order to continue this idea of face throughout the piece. I noticed that by varying the contrasts and brightness of the background imagery, I could create an illusion of depth and movement.
In my second collage (titled Ascendance) I wanted to create a bright environment that delivers a sense of rotation and the main subject (the skeleton with the gigantic head and cigar) rising. I worked a lot on layering multiple elements and creating repetition through the cloning tool. I think the balance of this image may require a little more work (maybe through lowering the repeated pickle-like shapes more weight would gravitate towards the center).
Final Images: Compositions of Interacting Thoughts
Process
Formal Exercises, Experimental Collages
Although this collage was the final collage I made, I call it an “experimental collage”, because during the process I was focusing not solely on the whole image, but more on the idea of creating the different elements in the image. Within this collage I experimented with the cloning and selection tool in order to supply different makeup to the shapes. I also developed the background by cloning a sticker.
I didn’t put as much time into this piece as the other digital images, too, but I think this image may work with the addition of text and maybe a few more adjustments.
Within the physical collage above (which was the first collage I created), I worked around cut-outs of an already-established backdrop of the outside of a restaurant. I wanted to manipulate the viewer’s perception of the space as well as of the people at the tables, so I switched out their heads with the skeletons’ heads. I worked to create a balance of direction, so I added the arm and different angular lines to add to the concept as well as composition. I titled it “Peace be with you” in order to evoke ideas of violence, peace, religion, weaponry, and the implementation of each within cultures and societies.
Within the collage above, I wanted to utilize circular shapes in order to create depth, rhythm, and an overall unity. I worked to align the image of the shoes in the window with the picture of the silver cans underneath. I wanted to unite these two images because of their metallic, textural nature. I repeated the circles and reds through additional elements on the sides (these circles also mirror the pattern on the tights).
I also experimented through two other physical collages (which I have not scanned). Through those collages, I utilized a lot of paper bag material and I wanted to experiment with three-dimensional layering and form (making collages an object rather than an image).
Scanning Objects
The objects I scanned consisted mostly of trash and leaves. When I was choosing the objects I wanted to scan and incorporate into my collages, I wanted items that I could manipulate (such as the tin foil) and objects that had naturally and graphically interesting lines and shapes (such as the leaves and seed-like object in the scan titled “Three’s A Crowd”). I also chose objects because of their color (such as the bright yellow Starburst wrapper and the old, broken, plastic, pink pen cap).
Manipulating Form Scans
In the scans above I moved the leaves, stick, and sculpted tin foil as the scanner processed the information, which created reverberating lines of distorted color.
I enjoy attaching names to my images in order to distinguish and develop different ideas, emotions, and concepts that I could further incorporate and merge into other things.
Work Flow
Color Profile (ProPhoto RGB) and Naming Properties:
File Extensions and Naming (ISO dating and Tifs):
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