Exhibition Text:
The piece Creation and Limitations is a sculpture that is inspired by Joseph Cornell and his use of shadow boxes. By using his techniques and ideas I showed the main message of my piece, which is how I have been filled with creativity but due to my inability to accept reality and fantasy I allowed society to beat me into submission, and hide my creative mindset. I learned that even the unique paths were paved by the same machine as the one used for the road most taken.
Main Inspiration:
The instant I laid eyes on Cornell’s work I felt a strong connection due to my habit of preservation. Thought out my life I would save trinkets and useless items that made me happy, or sad, or made me feel any emotion at all, and I would store them in she boxes. To this day my closet is filled with trinkets that only I would know the story behind. The connection I felt was due to the fact that behind every item he meticulously placed inside the box he withheld a story. I used his concept, incorporated his dedication of meaning, applied his use of repetition to create a metaphor between reality and fantasy. I used the box as a cage which holds my imagination captive. |
Joseph Cornell, inspired by surrealism, created a variety of shadow boxes, films, and a plethora of varying art. While creating he would use his box work as a metaphor for his life. He would use specific items to display his message to the viewer, in addition there was a common theme, which was birds, more specifically colorful parrots. In addition to his colorful birds he had a common theme of adding miscellaneous items. However instead of choosing the ones that looked the best, he would make sure every piece and bod had a specific meaning, he used everything to portray himself.
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Habitat Group 1943
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The Hotel Eden
I took inconsideration of the surrealism that Joseph Cornell had used. In addition I incorporated images, metal objects, wire art, paint, and so on, to make sure the message was clear. Though Cornell had a more conservative look with less vibrant aspects, I used his ideas to instill my life into my work. One large reason why I felt the need to use his work as my inspiration is because he used surrealism to portray a child like imagination, so he could represent his youth. Which is important because at a young age I started to allow reality take over. |
Planning:
Sketches
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Explanation
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The two images above were my two original sketches. I wanted to show how reality was limiting my expression so I decided to sketch out two different ways I could share that message. I was originally going to go with the second sketch, however I decided to draw out my idea that correlated with Joseph Cornell and chose that instead.
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The images to the left explain my sketch and process. I decided that the boxes would be a metaphor for the cage of reality, and the inside would be my creative mind. I decided to build a wire hand so that it could symbolism how my reality is holding my reality together, however, there are gaps in the material, showing how no matter I fight for my fantasy world to be real, reality always seeps through. In addition when it came to the painting I decided to not pain the background all one solid color. I wanted it to show how as I grow older reality is eating away my imagination. I also used string to block of my reality from fantasy. |
Experimentation - Process:
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The images show my materials and the process of creating the wire hand. First I started out by buying 16 gauge wire, and got a hold of some wire cutters. I then proceed to wrap the wire around myself and work with the material until I was able to develop a hand formation. I would use the cutter to cut the wire after every section. I would individual do every finger, then the palm, and the arm. I fastened them together by using excess wire, I wrapped it around the base to form a solid structure. The steps are in order on the slide, first starting with two demonstrations of the final product and then the materials, followed by the process. I made sure to leave large holes in specific areas of the structure to give off the idea of there being holes in my fantasy. |
The pictures to the right show my process of painting one of the boxes. The first image shows a portion of the finished product. When I first started the box I maid sure to paint the first layer white since white is the symbol for reality in my piece. I then decided to pick out the colors of the rainbow to give off a vibrant and colorful look. I then proceeded to grab a larger brush so that I could start. Before painting I poured some of the paint on a spare board that I had, but as you can tell in the second image I made sure to use a small amount. This is because I wanted to create streaks, and to give the effect that the color was fading into the white. I achieved this my running the paint brush from the top of the board to the middle. For the colors I didn't want it to look like they were just side by side, so as the paints were still wet I decided to mix them a little to make them look smoother when side my side. After I finished the colors I decided I wanted to paint the inside walls black to give a grim mood.
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The first image is one of the finished product. As you can see there is the paint in the back, however there is a new aspect, the string. I did this by hammering in nails the same distance apart. I decided to measure on a piece of paper and use that as my guide. After hammering in all of the nails on every side of the box I took a piece of stink and tied it to every nail. |
The first image is one of the finished product. I accomplished this look by first taking six different colors and pouring a large amount into the corner of the box, making sure they are some what evenly spread apart, like shown in image two. I then slightly mixed the colors together so that they would look more natural when they dry. I then put the box on the side and allow the paint to slowly drip down the side of the box, shown in image three and four. After I let that dry for a few days I decided to add a few images and papers. I placed both the paper and the image in the spot where I wanted them to be, I then traced out where the paint was, I then proceeded to paint over the colors to give the look of dripping. These examples are shown in image five and six. I wanted to give the appearance of lack of gravity so I decided to turn the box upside down so that the streaks are going upward.
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Critique:
Similarities: ~The use of boxes to portray a message that is held captive is used in both works. The artists in addition use the same concept to portray a similar message. ~In Joseph Cornell's art there is repetition of the use of birds. Similarly my piece has the repetition of rainbows, which gives a childish aspect. They both portray different meanings, but symbolize the main idea of the theme. ~Both pieces obtain created and found pieces. Both artists used their skills in crafting their own art, but both also found miscellaneous items with great value to incorporate into the piece. ~Both artists incorporate surrealism into their work. For example the use of colors and structure show the artistic development that both artists endured. ~Both artists use their art as a metaphor to their life. Cornell's us of items, and my use of vibrant color show our childish antics. Both reference the artists lives by precise and meticulous placement of items. |
Differences:
~Joseph Cornell uses only a singular box to portray his message, meanwhile my work incorporates not only wire art, but three shadow boxes. ~Structurally the boxes differ, Cornell uses delicately crafted boxes that give character, meanwhile the other gives a rougher modern mood. ~Though there are similar metaphors and reasons for the portraying of this art, the messages differ. Cornell uses it to portray himself, meanwhile I am portraying the struggle that is occurring inside of myself. |
Reflection:
Creating and Limitation allowed me to delve deeper into my struggle of expression and my acceptance of reality. It allowed me to have a better understanding of why I have learned that I have no reason to use art, or to feel unique. This mixed media project only challenged my artistic ability but my ability to recognize my heartships. I have been dealing with these issues for as long as I can remember, and giving myself an outlet has been beneficial on numerous levels.
During the process of the peace I struggled primarily with the wire work, hence why there is only one hand instead of two. I decided to work on one and work with a different metaphor. In addition I felt unsatisfied at times due to me knowing I had the ability to achieve much greater things. I also had a hard time coming up with a single idea, I feel like my mind was racing when I was approached with the idea.
A few things I did end up changing were some of the background trinkets to fit the aesthetic. In addition I decided only to use one hand and use a tube as a metaphor for my flow of creativity and its entrance into reality.
Even though I struggled to be happy with my product, I think the end results turned out great. I put in a lot of time and effort and I think the final piece deserves my praise. I feel like throughout the piece I was able to incorporate a variety of hues, organic and geometric shapes. I think my overall favorite part was the textures and patterns I created with the paint, sting, and wire.
During the process of the peace I struggled primarily with the wire work, hence why there is only one hand instead of two. I decided to work on one and work with a different metaphor. In addition I felt unsatisfied at times due to me knowing I had the ability to achieve much greater things. I also had a hard time coming up with a single idea, I feel like my mind was racing when I was approached with the idea.
A few things I did end up changing were some of the background trinkets to fit the aesthetic. In addition I decided only to use one hand and use a tube as a metaphor for my flow of creativity and its entrance into reality.
Even though I struggled to be happy with my product, I think the end results turned out great. I put in a lot of time and effort and I think the final piece deserves my praise. I feel like throughout the piece I was able to incorporate a variety of hues, organic and geometric shapes. I think my overall favorite part was the textures and patterns I created with the paint, sting, and wire.
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 artwork:
Joseph Cornell usually uses shadow boxes as a symbol for his life. He does this by using items that obtain specific meaning to him. This was a direct inspiration when it came to developing the idea of three boxes describing my life struggle. In addition there is repetition of birds within his pice and I decided that I would incorporate the rainbow in every boxes to represent his repetition.
2.) What is the overall approach ( point of view ) the author ( from your research ) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Joseph Cornell, my inspiration, used surrealism to incorporate a child like idea into his pieces. He uses this by incorporating those ideas into his boxes that are filled with everyday items. These are things that he has developed over time, making his thoughts and products very valuable, which is why I incorporated such things into my final product.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that I am not the only one who has struggled with reality, however I have learned that a lot of people who were put under the same situation never fought reality. Instead they allowed it to take over and form them into the person they are now. Not that it’s bad, but their imagination is faulty due to them and their logical views. While researching my inspiration I learned that the message of life and development is a common theme. However there are so many ways of expressing this.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Suppressing my creativity and the things I love so that I can be successful in the eyes of society. But in the end I became a slave to the societal norms.
5.) What kind of inferences ( conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning ) did you make while reading your research?
I learned that you have the ability to make art out of anything. Any household object. And it isn’t about if it’s pretty or not, instead it is about the message it portrays. It allows you to tell a story that maybe doesn’t have a happy ending.
Joseph Cornell usually uses shadow boxes as a symbol for his life. He does this by using items that obtain specific meaning to him. This was a direct inspiration when it came to developing the idea of three boxes describing my life struggle. In addition there is repetition of birds within his pice and I decided that I would incorporate the rainbow in every boxes to represent his repetition.
2.) What is the overall approach ( point of view ) the author ( from your research ) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Joseph Cornell, my inspiration, used surrealism to incorporate a child like idea into his pieces. He uses this by incorporating those ideas into his boxes that are filled with everyday items. These are things that he has developed over time, making his thoughts and products very valuable, which is why I incorporated such things into my final product.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that I am not the only one who has struggled with reality, however I have learned that a lot of people who were put under the same situation never fought reality. Instead they allowed it to take over and form them into the person they are now. Not that it’s bad, but their imagination is faulty due to them and their logical views. While researching my inspiration I learned that the message of life and development is a common theme. However there are so many ways of expressing this.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Suppressing my creativity and the things I love so that I can be successful in the eyes of society. But in the end I became a slave to the societal norms.
5.) What kind of inferences ( conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning ) did you make while reading your research?
I learned that you have the ability to make art out of anything. Any household object. And it isn’t about if it’s pretty or not, instead it is about the message it portrays. It allows you to tell a story that maybe doesn’t have a happy ending.
CITATIONS (MLA):
“In Past ShowJoseph Cornell: Wanderlust at Royal Academy of Arts.” 11 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy, Artsy, www.artsy.net/artwork/joseph-cornell-habitat-group-for-a-shooting-gallery.
“Joseph Cornell [Sculpteur].” Parfumdelivres.niceboard.com, parfumdelivres.niceboard.com/t11576-joseph-cornell-sculpteur.
“The Hotel Eden.” National Gallery of Canada, www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/the-hotel-eden.
“Joseph Cornell [Sculpteur].” Parfumdelivres.niceboard.com, parfumdelivres.niceboard.com/t11576-joseph-cornell-sculpteur.
“The Hotel Eden.” National Gallery of Canada, www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/the-hotel-eden.