Digital Collage
Float
Size: 61 cm x 91 cm Medium: Digital Collage Date: March, 2018 Float is a digital collage inspired by René Magritte and Julien Pacaud. The eye hovering above the polluted skyline depicts the lament felt by people or Mother Earth, due to the deteriorating environment. In addition, the floating bodies depict the harm mankind has inflicted onto the environment and shows the possible outcome of this on humans. This piece is an effort to advocate for the environment’s well being. |
Critical Investigation
I have never worked with Photoshop, and therefore had no idea on where to begin with creating a digital collage. I decided to start by researching digital collage art, and I found many fascinating pieces. This is where I came across When You Sleep by Julien Pacaud, who is a french artist and illustrator that is represented by the Talkie Walkie agency in France. Prior to this, he was an astrophysicist and a hypnotist. These professions suggest why Pacaud often took a surrealist approach with his artworks. After seeing When You Sleep, I immediately saw how I could use this as inspiration. I knew I needed to connect my theme of the environment and I saw that I could use similar laying bodies with a natural landscape to either symbolize our eventual fate if we continue to treat the environment this way or it could symbolize mother nature/species dying. I continued my research by researching surrealist art, and I came across The False Mirror by René Magritte. René Magritte is a surrealist artist who didn’t receive recognition until his 50s. Magritte describes his work as images that conceal nothing, yet evoke mystery and even confusion. Magritte states that his paintings “don’t mean anything, because mystery means nothing, it is unknowable.” The False Mirror uses juxtaposition of the eye and sky, which is a common characteristic of Magritte's work. These strange combinations used in his paintings were considered the products the unconscious mind. Which was an effort made by the artist to hopefully touch the unconscious minds of the viewers. The use of eyes were used as a motif, in which these eyes weaken our basic assumptions and causes the viewer to question and look at it with a different perspective. After learning about the purpose of Magritte's use of eyes, I wanted to create a similar surreal effect that encouraged the viewer to question and even approach with a different perspective. This painting inspired the idea to use an eye in the clouds, but to relate with my theme I decided that it would make sense to have this eye symbolize Mother Earth. This way I could depict the lament felt due to the deteriorating planet by having the eye cry over an area that looked polluted.
Process
1. Research/Planning
I began by researching digital collage art, and I When You Sleep by Julien Pacaud. I knew I needed to connect my theme of the environment and I saw that I could use similar laying bodies with a natural landscape to either symbolize our eventual fate if we continue to treat the environment this way or it could symbolize mother nature/species dying. I continued my research by researching surrealist art, and I came across The False Mirror by René Magritte. I wanted to create a similar surreal effect that encouraged the viewer to question and even approach with a different perspective. This painting inspired the idea to use an eye in the clouds, but to relate with my theme I decided that it would make sense to have this eye symbolize Mother Earth. This way I could depict the lament felt due to the deteriorating planet by having the eye cry over an area that looked polluted. With these ideas in mind, I then sketched out my ideas.
2. Take Photos
|
After making sketches I knew what I wanted to create. I then needed to gather images for this piece. I was able to find the perfect background in my camera roll from about a year ago. It displayed a smoggy and gloomy summer day along the skyline and lake shore of Milwaukee. I thought the smoke from smokestack that blended into the clouds was the perfect detail that was important to have. I then took an up close photo of my eye in bright natural lighting to make sure it was clear enough to see. I had to put a drop of water under my waterline to replicate a tear. Lastly, I had someone take photos of me lying on the floor to emulate the people seen in Julien Pacaud's When You Sleep. |
3. Constructing
|
Next I began constructing my piece using Adobe Photoshop. First, I set the Milwaukee skyline as the background photo (Layer 1) and set the size to 24’’ x 36’’ with a resolution of 170. Then, I opened the photo of my face and cut out the eye. I then dragged this layer with my eye onto Layer 1 and resized it in order to fit on the sky the way I wanted. Making sure I was still on the layer with my eye, I adjusted the color balance so it matched the color of the background (Layer 1). I did this by adding more cyan and blue. Then I took the smudge tool and set it to about 40% opacity, I then carefully smudged the skin around the eye so it blended into the clouds. |
Lastly, I began working on the bodies. First, I opened one photo of me lying on the ground and cut my body out. I then copied and pasted this a couple times onto Layer 1 and adjusted the size and color balance. I had to use varying sizes throughout the image to create a sense of depth. Then I opened the other photo of me lying down in a different pose and repeated this process.
Experimentation
First, I had to experiment with Photoshop with a few trial photos to understand how the tools worked and such. I then experimented with a few ideas before I arrived to this one. I even made an entire piece prior to this piece. Unfortunately I cannot show that piece because it didn't save and the trial for Photoshop is up. It was a similar digital collage as I used the same background, however, in the water was a photo of me sitting and a flower for my head.
|
This was inspired from another piece and was supposed to remind humanity that we are connected to the environment, hence the purpose of the flower for my head. However, I thought this piece was weak and didn't communicate that message very well. Once I came up with my final piece, I had to experiment with the bodies in the water. Because at first, I only had a few bodies and didn't change the color. This made the piece look awkward as the bodies stood out too much. Thus, I had to experiment with using various sizes, colors, positions, and amounts of bodies.
Reflection
Overall, this piece turned out decent in my opinion. I know I could have done better if I was more skillful and familiar with the software, however, I'm proud that was still able to create something that looks decent and communicates a message. I feel like I accomplished what I wanted to do, which was create something surreal that makes the viewer question what it's about. In addition, it still can communicate a message by interpreting the metaphors and symbolism. For example, the eye hovering above the polluted Milwaukee skyline depicts the lament felt due to the deteriorating environment. The eye itself symbolizes Mother Earth. In addition, the floating bodies depict the harm mankind has inflicted onto the environment and shows the possible outcome of this on humans. However, if these meanings are not understood, then it's not really effective with advocating for the health of the environment. Therefore, I think it would be useful for this piece to be easier to interpret, since I want it to advocate for the well being of the planet.
Furthermore, the connection with my inspirations are quite apparent. In my final piece, I use similar shaped bodies with a natural landscape in the background to symbolize humanity's eventual fate if we continue to pollute the environment. These bodies are similar to those seen in When You Sleep, thus showing the inspiration. The use of these repeating bodies seen in my piece and in When You Sleep serve a similar artistic purpose of creating unity and balance by the use of repetition. In addition, The False Mirror by René Magritte inspired me to create a similar surreal effect that encouraged the viewer to question and to even approach with a different perspective. This painting inspired the idea to use an eye in the clouds to symbolize the lament felt due to the deteriorating planet. The eye from The False Mirror and from Float are similar as they both have a cloudy sky within the background, thus showing a direct inspiration from The False Mirror. However, I use texture and color much differently from Magritte. For example, my piece is digital and from real photos, thus the texture is realistic and smooth. In addition, the hues I used for the eye were altered to match the sky and the eye is even more transparent to create a mystical effect. Whereas the eye from The False Mirror uses realistic colors for the eye and uses a different smooth texture since it is an oil painting.
Furthermore, the connection with my inspirations are quite apparent. In my final piece, I use similar shaped bodies with a natural landscape in the background to symbolize humanity's eventual fate if we continue to pollute the environment. These bodies are similar to those seen in When You Sleep, thus showing the inspiration. The use of these repeating bodies seen in my piece and in When You Sleep serve a similar artistic purpose of creating unity and balance by the use of repetition. In addition, The False Mirror by René Magritte inspired me to create a similar surreal effect that encouraged the viewer to question and to even approach with a different perspective. This painting inspired the idea to use an eye in the clouds to symbolize the lament felt due to the deteriorating planet. The eye from The False Mirror and from Float are similar as they both have a cloudy sky within the background, thus showing a direct inspiration from The False Mirror. However, I use texture and color much differently from Magritte. For example, my piece is digital and from real photos, thus the texture is realistic and smooth. In addition, the hues I used for the eye were altered to match the sky and the eye is even more transparent to create a mystical effect. Whereas the eye from The False Mirror uses realistic colors for the eye and uses a different smooth texture since it is an oil painting.
Connecting to the ACT
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
After seeing When You Sleep by Julien Pacaud, I immediately saw how I could use this as inspiration by using similar laying bodies with a natural landscape to to symbolize humanity's eventual fate if pollution continues. After seeing The False Mirror by René Magritte, it inspired the use of a similar eye in the clouds to symbolize Mother Earth's lament due to the deteriorating planet.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Julien Pacaud is a french artist and illustrator but was previously an astrophysicist and a hypnotist. These professions suggest why Pacaud often took a surrealist approach with his works. René Magritte often used eyes as a motif, this is because his goal was to encourage viewers to question and look at paintings with a different perspective as using eyes as a subject creates mystery.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Since both Pacaud and Magritte took a surreal approach with their art, I concluded that some people tend to think outside the box and use their imagination. As a result, this encourages people to view things with a different approach and ask questions. Thus, this causes people, such as myself, to explore their imagination which can lead to more art, new art movements, inventions, etc.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme regarding this piece is the health of the environment and is an effort to advocate for the environment’s well being. This is because the eye hovering above the polluted skyline depicts the lament felt by people or Mother Earth, due to the deteriorating environment. The floating bodies depict the harm mankind has inflicted onto the environment and shows the possible outcome of this on humans.
5. What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
Since both Pacaud and Magritte took a surreal approach with their art, I concluded that some people tend to think outside the box and use their imagination. As a result, this encourages people to view things with a different approach, ask questions, and use their imagination. Thus, I can infer how other art movements are created as they begin with someone experimenting and using their imagination, which inspires other people to do the same.
Bibliography
"About / Contact." Julien Pacaud. 2018. http://www.julienpacaud.com/about.
Magritte, René. The False Mirror. 1928. Oil on Canvas. Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Pacaud, Julien. When You Sleep. 2009. Digital Collage. Private Collection.
“Rene Magritte and His Paintings.” Rene Magritte Biography, Paintings, and Quotes. 2009. www.renemagritte.org/.
Magritte, René. The False Mirror. 1928. Oil on Canvas. Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Pacaud, Julien. When You Sleep. 2009. Digital Collage. Private Collection.
“Rene Magritte and His Paintings.” Rene Magritte Biography, Paintings, and Quotes. 2009. www.renemagritte.org/.