Mixed Media
Exhibition Text:
The purpose of this piece is to represent the development of my life and my changing perspective over time. I used found objects that held personal significance and a photograph of myself as well. Inspired by the work of Joseph Cornell, I explored his use of shadow boxes which similarly display a collection of memories.
Process
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Planning Sketches
Throughout these sketches I drew objects which I could connect to childhood memories; such as cards, horses, and keys. These sketches are not as detailed because my final result would be a 3 dimensional piece.
Ideas and CritiqueFor this piece I planning to make a shadow box inspired by Joseph Cornell. I have many ideas in mind but mainly want to add ideas of childhood experiences in my box. I am having trouble deciding how I’m going to create this box because I don’t know how to place certain aspects together. From the look of Joseph Cornell's boxes they seem to have a certain color scheme tied with very general or light colors such as white, beige, and mint green. Also, I noticed that his boxes are separated into certain sections and are not crowded, usually containing only two or three large objects.
While presenting my ideas and plans to my classmates I was given a lot of feedback. I initially started by showing them my inspiration and then explaining my ideas. I presented the theme of my childhood and how I wanted to add certain aspects or experiences from my life in this box. I mentioned I would most likely divide this box but was kind of lost in the idea of constructing it because I don’t know how big the boxes should be. My classmates mentioned that the idea of dividing the box was good and liked the childhood theme. Also, I said I wanted to keep a certain color scheme like my inspiration but they said that when thinking of childhood they visualized many colors not just one or two simple ones. They also said I should divide the box and in each section put something that showed how my aged developed. For example, they said to put toys in one section and then in another put make up materials, I liked the idea but they were not things I could really connect to because as my childhood developed I wouldn't really care about make up as much. My classmates also were also helping me decide how to construct this box and where I could find materials to put in it which was useful. At the end of the critique I gained even more good ideas on how to make my shadow box but am now working on narrowing them down focusing on metaphors, for a simple outcome. |
Experimenting/Developing Ideas
When I began to create my mixed media shadow box I started to work with painting the boxes. I had four boxes which were all meant to look like one; each box would containing a different story. The first step in putting these boxes together was to paint them one color that would display a certain color scheme. I decided tot paint my wooden boxes white, this took the most time as it was difficult for the white paint to stay or become fully present on the boxes. After painting the boxes I began to explore ways in which I could place my items in the box. I experimented with the use of color, placement, and space. This was a difficult concept as I wanted the boxes to look detailed but not crowded. It became easier to complete the process as I looked back at my inspirations work,making it easier for my ideas to flow. After concluding the boxes I decided to give my box a title that would fit the overall theme and then I concluded my piece by taking multiple photographs.
Meaning of the PieceThe overall theme of this piece is connected to the perspective of time and the development of life. Inside are three different boxes which represent the past, present, and future. The biggest box is meant to represent the present because that is where we spend the less time in but make the biggest decisions. Here I placed clocks to display tracker of time that measures the rate of changes in life. Across from it are arrows which are meant to represent the courage of moving forward in life. In the background is a map of Milwaukee: my home, where I spend most of my time, and the comfortable. The nesting bird with a plant inside it is a symbolism of my inability to move my long comfort of staying in the same place and the becoming of what can be described to be "too comfortable". Moving on to the small box which is the past there also sits an old looking picture of myself and a world map that is folded into a paper airplane. Together this is meant to represent my care free self at the time which was an old concept; including the idea that everything was all fun and games and nothing was established or pressured upon me. In other words, I could say I would do or go anywhere at that point. Moving on to the last box which is the future, in which three sets of coins are placed around a world map. The U.S coins are mean to symbolize my current home, the Mexican coins represent my cultural home(memories), and the Spain coins can be seen as the creation of memories, all working together to impact my future. Underneath lay keys which are seen as the opening of new doors and the good luck that comes along with it. And the spring is meant to display that where ever I go in the future I will find some support and bounce back from the negative or the nostalgia that will surely appear.
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Process...Experimentation...ReflectionWhen this project was introduced we where shown artists which would work as an inspiration for this piece. When introduced to many artists, out of all of them only once stood out, Joseph Cornell. His work drew me in immediately, and I knew that I would want to create a shadow box. Joseph Cornell's work stood out because I could connect to it, I felt the creativity and memories his boxes contained. Displaying my own shadow box was more difficult than expected but the outcome was completely worth it. Although it did take quite some time to create I was satisfied with the outcome. I had taken too much thought in this piece and was not sure if I would be able to display my ideas well. However, once I had completed my box I loved the look and space my box explored. The use of memories and the development of ideas was what I expected and I was glad it was well connected to my inspirations work. Overall, this piece was exactly what I had envisioned it to look like from the very beginning.
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Artistic Inspiration
Joseph Cornell was my artistic inspiration for this piece. His work was made up off the Surrealist technique of random juxtaposition, his most famous work were made of boxes containing old photographs and found elements. These boxes were also known as “shadow boxes”, exploring a dream-like view that inspired the viewer to to see each element in a unique way. Most of Cornell’s shadow boxes were used to address a theme of interest like space, childhood, and birds which symbolized and escape from the creator. His assemblage pieces also helped to inspire other forms of Mixed Media art such as Installations.
These boxes form a dream-like zone inviting the viewer into the private and magical world of Joseph Cornell. These boxes can also be referred to as memory boxes where each item is associated with a memory or express an event. Cornell used meaningful materials in his boxes which were purchased in shops throughout his frequent stops in New York or cut out from magazines. Cornell's work was considered to be white magic which represented a lighter side of the common Surrealist movement. Joseph Cornell's idea of gathering memories and displaying them in a box was a new idea that I found uniquely beautiful. This is also commonly seen throughout the world as people grow attached to objects that may seem ordinary but hold hidden memories for each individual. The concept of exploring memories of childhood and displaying it in a magical way which holds a private meaning was an idea that I was quickly excited to discover and display. |
Cornell, Joseph, "The Hotel Eden". 2009. Web. 12. Feb. 2017.
Cornell, Joseph, "Earth and Sky". 2005. Web. 12. Feb. 2017.
"Joseph Cornell Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works." The Art Story. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.
Solomon, Deborah. Utopia Parkway: the life and work of Joseph Cornell. New York: Other Press, 2015. Print. |
UWM Critique Reflection
After explaining my work at UWM I received some good critiques on how to improve my work. I was told that adding a title was not necessary and distracted the viewer from being able to interpret the piece. Also, I was told that the clocks would look better if they were functioning and/or placed in a different place inside the boxes so it would not look like I was simply decorating the box. O was also told that the idea of separating my box was nice because everything was clear and had its own place. I liked the critique and it was helpful because I was able to see how I could further improve my work which I would have never considered on my own.
Connection to the ACT:
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your work.
The work of Joseph Cornell caused me to use similar ideas connecting to the general concept of a shadow box. Also, I used a similar use of space and color scheme, as well as conveying his idea of childhood/memories in a box.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach from the author regarding Joseph Cornell's shadow boxes is that his work ties back to the feeling of remembering and displaying memories in a contained space effectively adding a Surrealist approach.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspirations?
A conclusion I have discovered about the general idea on shadow boxes is that they are used to evoke a magical feeling in which the author is letting you into their world.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea was to introduce the idea of memory in a unique way in which the viewer is allowed into the private world of the artist.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your
research?
I can infer that the use of shadow boxes can go far beyond an introduction to memory but that the objects used in these boxes can be deeply attached to the artist.
The work of Joseph Cornell caused me to use similar ideas connecting to the general concept of a shadow box. Also, I used a similar use of space and color scheme, as well as conveying his idea of childhood/memories in a box.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach from the author regarding Joseph Cornell's shadow boxes is that his work ties back to the feeling of remembering and displaying memories in a contained space effectively adding a Surrealist approach.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspirations?
A conclusion I have discovered about the general idea on shadow boxes is that they are used to evoke a magical feeling in which the author is letting you into their world.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea was to introduce the idea of memory in a unique way in which the viewer is allowed into the private world of the artist.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your
research?
I can infer that the use of shadow boxes can go far beyond an introduction to memory but that the objects used in these boxes can be deeply attached to the artist.