For my first assignment for 2-Dimensional Design (the letter assignment doesn't count!), I was supposed to create three artworks that has an aspect taken from one of several artists provided by my lecturer. The criteria for this assignment is that is has to be 45cm x 45cm and only in black, grey and white. When I first got the briefing for the assignment along with the list of artists, much pain was endured when going through one by one.
Have you ever got the feeling that you scrolled through so many artists then you remembered one of the styles you like, but couldn't remember who and had to go through again? No? Well I did, for four times, FOUR FREAKING times. Good times... good times...
Anyways like I previously stated, I glanced through the list of artists four times before I actually noted down a few that I liked. The top three artists that I personally was inspired by was Joseph Alber, Bridget Riley and Barbara Kruger.
It was a tough one, picking one of these three renowned artists and adapt their style into my own artworks. Finally, I decided to go with
Bridget Riley. Why? Let's take a look at her art style. Bridget Riley is famously known for her artworks that incorporates the concept of optical illusions. In fact, she was considered to be the mother of op art (optical art). My desire to play with my audience's minds when presenting my artwork naturally makes Riley's style the perfect choice.
I spent 4 days making these fantastic artworks, you can read the making process here. When I submitted them on the due date, Mr. Choy really liked them (thank god!). So as usual, after submission we have to write an article about it so here it is explaining the definitions of my artworks.
Escape The Net, 2015
Escape The Net, 2015
This artwork explains how social media addiction has became a real issue since its inception. We now become so addicted to the point we couldn't last 5 seconds without looking at a smartphone screen. However, we know we are addicted, we want to stop, but the internet always pulls us back with temptations and desires. It soon becomes a sensation of drowning, where there is no escape, always being pulled down to the bottom of the ocean (the ocean represents the internet).
I manipulate the line thickness and wavy-ness (yes I know it is not a word, humour me) to create the sensation of the ocean. This artwork is heavily inspired by the famous artwork by Bridget Riley, the Cataract 3 made in 1967.
Cataract 3, 1967
Space of Solitude, 2015
Space of Solitude, 2015
This artwork emphasises on the importance of being aware of our surroundings at all times, even when we are on our smartphones. Sadly, thats not the case with the current generation. Almost everyone who stares into their smartphone screen checking their Facebook or Twitter are most likely not being aware of the surroundings, ranging from walking around blindly or bumping into people. I portray the emptiness of the surrounding with a black background with clouds, representing our own little world without distractions when we are emotionally attached to our smartphones. Yep, that's me haha. Anyways I want to portray the platform I am standing on with a touch of Bridget Riley, hence the illusional steps. The steps represent the crumbling world surrounding us, leaving behind just a few steps before it all falls apart, and when it falls apart, you know what I mean.
I had a sudden eureka moment about this one, and it also quickly became my favourite among all, actually everyone in class said this was the best, so yay. Most probably it was the clouds that drew most of attention. The clouds was a hard one to make, since I never made it before. It turned out pretty well, don't you think? The steps was inspired by Fragments by Riley again.
Fragments, 1965
The Friendship Void, 2015
The Friendship Void, 2015
Have you experienced this where you are having dinner or lunch with your friends and family, expecting to socialise and watch it all crumble with them staring at their smartphones? This is what I want to portray in this artwork. The circle in the middle represents the illusion of a deep hole, where what we don't speak to each other physically, but on the internet. Like seriously? I am sitting right next to you and you are chatting with me through WhatsApp?? What is your problem?!
The optical illusion you see here is heavily adapted from Movement In Squares. The chess black and white layout makes it suitable to represent a dining table.
Movement In Squares, 1961
16.10.15 (Week 3)
Foo Sher Ming (0322539)
2-Dimensional Design
Assignment 1: State Of Mind - Social Media
