The Journey of Dreams
Digital Collage
24in x 36in
September 2016
Digital Collage
24in x 36in
September 2016
Process:
I began with having a few demonstrative sketches about a comparison between me from the past and the present. Then I took pictures of myself in many basketball shooting positions and in the end I only used the one that looked like a logo for basketball. I also used an old photo of me as a baby to make a contrast. I thought it would flow too, and that it would be abstract. I placed a present me in front of the baby me to show a center or a focus/emphasis of the piece. I had to then omit the basketball in the picture so it would not break the color scheme. I did not want to make the piece too bright and I toned down to the overall picture. I the had to clone the background to fill the missing background with the cloning stamp. Lastly I had to use the picture that I was in a logo position and I shrinked the image and I then I darkened the singular image to look like an actual logo.
Meaning:
I began with exploring the ideas of dreams over time, because it described me in the past and me now. So I said I wanted to do a piece that was about how dreams develop through time. My piece shows how I’ve always loved basketball and how I wanted to be a street ball player but it evolved into wanting to be a professional basketball player. I wanted apply this theme because I thought that it was a common thing that occurs but is never discussed. So I wanted to be one of the first to do so and I did. Then I showed myself from the past with the logo of street ball and I then put two pictures of me to compare. The first picture of me is the big picture of me that’s in the center of the piece and the second one is the small gray logo that I recolored of me. I did this so it can be a different aspect and clue from me. I thought of it to be a nice extra touch which people would not see unless they dig through the meaning and process. I want people to analyse my piece and not just look over it.
Planning
Inspirations
"Rick Ayotte." :: LH Selman Glass Paperweights. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.
I was inspired by Salvador Dali’s concept that can be seen in “The Persistence of Time” as I analysed his work I grew fond of his time distortion concept. So I had decided to use develop on the concept in my own way as I created it into the dream over time concept. That’s when I knew I had to make the collage of dreams over time as it isn't a commonly talked of topic. I then tried to communicate my own dream through the piece. I was also influenced by Rick Ayotte a glass artist. I was inspired by him because he made small art with hidden clues that has a lot of meaning.
"MoMA Learning." MoMA. MoMA Learning, 2016. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.
"MoMA Learning." MoMA. MoMA Learning, 2016. Web. 29 Sept. 2016.
Experimentation:
I was trying to develop an understanding of the Photoshop program as I carefully played around with the tools. Then I began my collage by trying to darken the small image of me as a logo. I first had to cut myself off the image. Which I was able to do with the quick select tool. Then I had to copy and paste me on the blank background. I then tried to darken myself and I did this by putting a black color overlay on myself. Then I saw multiple that I can place patterns such as bubbles, streams, and flat dark on me. i saw it as an improvement and I used this opportunity. And I then kept messing around with the colors and I got a brown overlay from a mix of about red 60%, green 10% and blue 20%.
Exhibition Text:
I see this piece as a personal reflection on my own dreams and how they developed over time. From how it started to now how it ends or how it gets realized.
Reflection:
I thought my project would seem cheesy or too simple but I liked how it turned out, because it looks simple, but with hidden meaning. I thought it would provoke deep thought within the viewers. I believe that people will try to think about what it might mean but be confused because it seems to simple to be hiding anything. That is what I love about it. If there were something I'd change about it, I'd be that picture quality, as I see it on the weebly, it seems rough and sloppy. But I cant change the weebly resolution.
Once I found my old art notebook I saw the "Persistence of time" by Salvador Dali and I thought about it a little. That's when I got the idea to make my piece about the concept of dreams over time. And I enjoyed basing my piece on Dali's concept. I thought it would be unique and that it would seem weird for something too look so simple but have a lot of meaning.
Once I found my old art notebook I saw the "Persistence of time" by Salvador Dali and I thought about it a little. That's when I got the idea to make my piece about the concept of dreams over time. And I enjoyed basing my piece on Dali's concept. I thought it would be unique and that it would seem weird for something too look so simple but have a lot of meaning.
Act Question Responses:
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
My inspiration had a great effect on the subject of my artwork because Salvador Dali had a great concept that I was inspired by and in turn I based my piece on a similar concept. So the main focus/emphasis of the piece is the time concept found in Dali's "Persistence of time.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author presents the information with an objective standpoint on art's history. Though they don't go further into analysis on his Salvador Dali's work.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
My research was not focused and the concept of time did not have much information itself, but I was able to piece out that time is a valued aspect of life as we do not have enough of it.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my work was the concept of the development of dreams over time.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I was able to infer that Salvador Dali's work seen as crazy, meaningless, and bad. But I knew that it had value as it's supposed to provoke emotion, and not express it.
My inspiration had a great effect on the subject of my artwork because Salvador Dali had a great concept that I was inspired by and in turn I based my piece on a similar concept. So the main focus/emphasis of the piece is the time concept found in Dali's "Persistence of time.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author presents the information with an objective standpoint on art's history. Though they don't go further into analysis on his Salvador Dali's work.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
My research was not focused and the concept of time did not have much information itself, but I was able to piece out that time is a valued aspect of life as we do not have enough of it.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around my work was the concept of the development of dreams over time.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I was able to infer that Salvador Dali's work seen as crazy, meaningless, and bad. But I knew that it had value as it's supposed to provoke emotion, and not express it.
My past life as it was
Most of my life I have been verbally bullied for being a "nerd" for no reason at all. I also was physically bullied in Puerto Rico for the bullies entertainment. This helped me get a thick skin, and I separated myself from others. In general, I tried to stay alone so I could protect myself from everyone else. I was never shy, but I just hated being mocked, because it felt as a constant hatred. That's why I lost faith in everyone else and became independent.
In fourth grade in Puerto Rico, I was physically bullied on a daily basis, and everyone knew it. I felt weak and useless. The insults never really bugged me because I never paid attention to the words because they were just words. I was tired of being bullied and I just picked up a basketball ball during gym class. No one was looking when I threw the ball at the bully who had been tormenting me. I was just full of anger and I had to get it out of my system. The ball hit his head and he turned around and he had a look that felt that it could kill me. Coach had to stop him because he was going to beat me up again. After that I thought that I could defend myself. That's when I decided that I would never depend on anyone else ever again or so I thought. And I hated them all.
One year later I was in Milwaukee for fifth grade, and there was a new bully. So in class I would only speak if spoken to. I worked alone and I felt alone as I was the only one being bullied. The physical bullying was reduced from daily to about four to eight fights in a year. That year my brother was in first grade and I wanted to protect him so he would not suffer like I did. He never had my problem though, so I thought it was just me. That I was wrong, that I was the problem. I questioned everything and everyone. I never told anyone of all my anger for the world because I would just play basketball and forget. Later on in middle school, when there was a group project I would be the only member. I did not want anyone else to slow me down or use me to do all the work. I hated everyone who bothered. I never did anything like cut myself, or be depressed because it would be stupid and useless. And I tried to just live with it, but it got tiring.
Halfway into middle school I met someone special who brought me out of my little dark hole. She helped me become social, and she taught me the values of friendship. I never told her how much she affected me. Because of her I got friends that I could actually rely on. I would look forward to going to school so I could see her and my friends and that's when I taught everything happens for a purpose. Since in the end everything was for the better as I became more social than I would have ever been. Through high school I became more social and I got a group of friends, which also helped me become comfortable with chatting, hanging out, etc. All of my past made me lose trust in humanity, but I now believe, once again that humanity is not doomed yet. I always use to tell myself man is it's main killer. That is somewhat true, but I realized that, so I never gave my full trust in anyone. I never get to attached to anyone so I don't become vulnerable. So I never end up as I was before.
In the end I became social, I loosened up, and I got friend that are actually good, not just someone to hangout with. I no longer feel different, I no longer feel that hatred that I had, and I no longer feel bad about myself. I learned to trust in myself, I gained my self esteem back but i'll never rely on anyone for anything. Even though all of my misfortune blossomed into a better more understanding me. That’s what made me into who I am, here today.
Most of my life I have been verbally bullied for being a "nerd" for no reason at all. I also was physically bullied in Puerto Rico for the bullies entertainment. This helped me get a thick skin, and I separated myself from others. In general, I tried to stay alone so I could protect myself from everyone else. I was never shy, but I just hated being mocked, because it felt as a constant hatred. That's why I lost faith in everyone else and became independent.
In fourth grade in Puerto Rico, I was physically bullied on a daily basis, and everyone knew it. I felt weak and useless. The insults never really bugged me because I never paid attention to the words because they were just words. I was tired of being bullied and I just picked up a basketball ball during gym class. No one was looking when I threw the ball at the bully who had been tormenting me. I was just full of anger and I had to get it out of my system. The ball hit his head and he turned around and he had a look that felt that it could kill me. Coach had to stop him because he was going to beat me up again. After that I thought that I could defend myself. That's when I decided that I would never depend on anyone else ever again or so I thought. And I hated them all.
One year later I was in Milwaukee for fifth grade, and there was a new bully. So in class I would only speak if spoken to. I worked alone and I felt alone as I was the only one being bullied. The physical bullying was reduced from daily to about four to eight fights in a year. That year my brother was in first grade and I wanted to protect him so he would not suffer like I did. He never had my problem though, so I thought it was just me. That I was wrong, that I was the problem. I questioned everything and everyone. I never told anyone of all my anger for the world because I would just play basketball and forget. Later on in middle school, when there was a group project I would be the only member. I did not want anyone else to slow me down or use me to do all the work. I hated everyone who bothered. I never did anything like cut myself, or be depressed because it would be stupid and useless. And I tried to just live with it, but it got tiring.
Halfway into middle school I met someone special who brought me out of my little dark hole. She helped me become social, and she taught me the values of friendship. I never told her how much she affected me. Because of her I got friends that I could actually rely on. I would look forward to going to school so I could see her and my friends and that's when I taught everything happens for a purpose. Since in the end everything was for the better as I became more social than I would have ever been. Through high school I became more social and I got a group of friends, which also helped me become comfortable with chatting, hanging out, etc. All of my past made me lose trust in humanity, but I now believe, once again that humanity is not doomed yet. I always use to tell myself man is it's main killer. That is somewhat true, but I realized that, so I never gave my full trust in anyone. I never get to attached to anyone so I don't become vulnerable. So I never end up as I was before.
In the end I became social, I loosened up, and I got friend that are actually good, not just someone to hangout with. I no longer feel different, I no longer feel that hatred that I had, and I no longer feel bad about myself. I learned to trust in myself, I gained my self esteem back but i'll never rely on anyone for anything. Even though all of my misfortune blossomed into a better more understanding me. That’s what made me into who I am, here today.