Creative Digital - 11. Photomontage

Photomontage Reflection – ‘What A Joke’

The whole idea behind my photomontage is the commercialism of Christmas and Easter. Many have forgotten the whole reason behind the Christmas holiday, which was the birth of Jesus Christ. Easter is the time to remember Jesus dying on the cross and rising three days later. It was about His sacrifice but no one really cares, only about the time they get off work and spending money. Christmas decorations come out in shops ridiculously early, with corporations making the most of their time to make as much money as possible. That’s all the holiday is about. Money. It’s all a joke. My images look very evil which was the effect I intended. I have used a clown, (who looks a lot like the Joker) to show my view on how these holidays are a joke. We’re making fun of Jesus Christ, so I have put the clown on the cross to illustrate how we no longer care. Santa Clause is a joke! He’s not even real. So I used the clown’s face, displaying him looking sinister as Santa. He looks like that because he is money hungry. The last one is a clown on top of a Christmas tree, instead of a star. I put him there because the star usually represents the North Star in the story but now the clown represents the replacement of the Christmas spirit with a joke. The process behind these images is I drew a cross, a Christmas tree and a Santa Clause and took photographs of these images. Then I borrowed my friend’s largely sized model of the Joker from Batman and took photographs of him in different poses. I then used the pen tool in Photoshop and cut the Joker/clown out and placed it onto the hand drawn images. I placed a red clown nose onto the figure to make him more clown like. I used hidden text in all three montages – W.A.J. This stands for “What A Joke”, the whole concept of my photomontage. I used the pen tool to also cut out sections of each image, created new layers and coloured them in and used 47% opacity. I used the smudge tool around the clown’s head as Santa. I also had to use the clone tool on the back drop for two of the images. I had to try and draw a beard on top of the Santa’s which was difficult and I’m not that happy with it but it was the best I could do in the end. I really like the clown on the cross the best. It’s very strong and the drawing and the photo seem to work together so I’m happy with that.



Creative Digital - 3 Photmontage's I like and Brainstorming

BRAINSTORMING IDEAS FOR MY PHOTOMONTAGE

- What I see as a joke

- Skanky dressed girls

- A Current Affair

- 60 Minutes

- The news

- Commericalism for Christmas

- "The Holiday is a Joke"

- Use the Joker from Batman to illustrate this

- The Joker could morph into a Christmas Tree

- Could incorporate Easter, Joker as an egg perhaps?

- The Devil eating Jesus

- The Joker on the Cross (Making a joke of the sacrifice)

- The Cross could have flames in the background (Controversial)

- Hidden text

- Make the Joker more clown-like

Examples of Photomontages

These three images appeal to me because they look like something I could achieve. The first one I chose because its simliar to what I want to do for my photomontage, by having a normal image/photograph and adding in a drawn subject, which is highly contrasting. The second one I chose because well it has Darth Vadar in it. Enough said! But I liked how it contrasts in the different era's. This third image takes a well known painting by Edouard Manet, A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, 1881 – 82, but the photomontage artist has added a fast food cash register on the bar top, which again contrasts in their differing times. I chose these three because they are a little bit amusing to me which after researching photomontages, is a common theme.

Creative Digital - 4. Critique Project

Nicole Ryan: Assessment 1: Critique Project

1. The steps taken to find the website
Went into the Google search drive and typed in “digital art” and chose the second link down from the top.

2. The website address or (URL)
http://digitalart.org/
AND
http://www.digitalartistdaily.com/  

3. An art critique on three separate digital art works that appeal to you from the selected website. (It should be a simple observer’s critique).

Figure 1
Timothy Kong

Reverie Train station
8/1/11
1000x740, 239kb
Tablet, Photoshop

Reverie Train station, 2011, (Figure 1) is a digitally drawn image by Timothy Kong depicting a billowing steam engine awaiting its passengers inside the hangar of a train station. By using Photoshop, Kong portrayed this scene to have soft edges and earthy tones. The colours accurately depict the feeling of a dank station during what looks to be the 1800s. The soft texture gives it a dreamlike quality, with the rising steam giving the piece movement and by leaving open floor in the foreground, Kong has successfully illustrated his knowledge of space and three dimensional works. The light at the top right hand corner also has the hangar’s roof lines leading towards the sunlit area beyond, giving the piece direction. The boarding figures are highlighted in a white, almost ghostly glow contrasting against the dark metal body of the engine, as does the billowing steam. The left side of the painting also contrasts as it slowly transcends into yellow light; with these overall effects personally giving me the impression of a realistic scene. I chose to use this artwork because it reminded me of a work by Claude Monet, Gare St. Lazare, 1877, (Figure 2) which the artist Kong might of also recognised and attempted to recreate in a modern medium. I believe that this digital image is successful in its execution and in its implied effect.

Figure 2
Claude Monet, Gare St. Lazare, 1877

Figure 3 - Boy, Over Come by Eric R. Martin.

The next digital art I want to draw upon is Boy, Over Come by Eric R. Martin. Unfortunately digitalart.org closed down for retirement in October 2011 so I am unsure of the year and exact medium but I would say it is a Photoshop piece that is beautifully rendered in browns, greens and oranges giving it a fantastic earthy glow. This work is just amazing and I am very impressed with it, especially the colour use and I love the feeling it gives me of some very odd beings standing before this monster of a storm. It just feels very mythical and very inviting to the viewer to look upon.

Figure 4 - Holly-Anne Lloyd - Copius

I retyped digital art into the Google search drive and picked the tenth link down the page known as the Digital Artist Network. I found this image by Holly-Anne Lloyd called Copius which is a very interesting piece especially in its composition and its very busy detail. It appeared futuristic to me, especially in the wonderful movement displayed in the right hand side, moving in a sweeping arc. There’s just so much happening in this work that your eye can continually roam after resting upon the face which is easily the focal point in this work. There is even a Braveheart-like stripe/cross on the figures face to draws the viewers eye. It appears as if the figure is climbing out of a metallic hole in time and space. I love the box around the image and how Lloyd has then broken those edges giving the image depth.

URL:  http://www.digitalartistdaily.com/ 

User Friendliness/site coherency usefulness and aesthetic value

The website is bright and gives me pictures in little thumbnails of all the most recent works submitted by digital artists which were useful instead of having to download unnecessary pictures.  There is a contents list to the left which is nice and easy to read. After clicking on a thumbnail it would tell me the artists name and the name of the work but that was all which was disappointing, no background info on how it was done or even the year the work was done so there could be no comparing to newer methods and technology. The site is a bit busy with advertisements and a very bright background but that didn’t deter me as I don’t think it would for people interested in digital art. However there was a nice white background/square around the image so there was no interaction or disturbance with the rest of the page. I enjoyed the colour I saw on this website especially the set background with its bright red, blue, yellow and green and their basic but artistic depictions of houses which reminded me a bit of the French Impressionist Paul Gauguin (1848 – 1903) and his use of colour.

Connectivity

I was very impressed with its connectivity to other sites. At the top of the screen there is a Related Websites tab running along the page which would be useful if you were just browsing and unsure of what you’re looking for. After clicking on a thumbnail image I was shown the image and if I scrolled a little further down the page it had a surprisingly appealing number of links to other Digital Artist Network pages such as 3D Artist (http://www.3dartistonline.com/), Corel painter Official Magazine (http://www.paintermagazine.co.uk/) , Advanced Photoshop (http://www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/)  and Photoshop Creative (http://www.photoshopcreative.co.uk/ ).  These all had 12 little thumbnails for each link and it was aesthetically pleasing to see the snippets or previews of the art which also added some nice colour and intrigue.



And here are some other images I liked and had saved to use before digitalart.org shut down

Searching for the Ring - Kerem Beyit 2008

 

I don't come from a forest - Rolando Cyril 2011

"Thundering Metal" 2011 - short artist statement

1. Write your own artist statement for the exhibition. It can be as long or as short as you wish and needs to describe your art practice or you as an artist.

Me as an artist (paragraph) What I’ve done, what I like.

“Thundering Metal” – (metal horse) plus image

I got into this work because I needed an extension from a wooden sculpture of a horse I had already assembled and I decided that a metal version of the horse would be cool, and also we’d done a little bit of metal and welding in my Sculpture class and I wanted to explore it further. “Thundering Metal” turned out really well and I’m happy with the result my dad and I achieved over an addition of days. My favourite part of the metal horse would have to be chain legs because the shape looks great but it was so difficult to weld and hold together.

Exhibition Report by Nicole Ryan

Evaluate, select and present original art works for exhibition: NSWTFAPP601A

On the 11^th of October 2011 students from the Diploma of Fine Arts – Stage 1 produced works to be selected and presented to a panel of judges to be considered for the Rated Art Exhibition. I was a part of the naming of the exhibition Rated Art, by considering and putting forth my own ideas and discussing them with others.

The Exhibition Opening for Rated Art was on Friday 28^th of October so we had to bump in on Monday 24^th to allow enough time to set up and organise the E3 Space at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Prior to the opening week I had the job of collecting money for the alcohol (wine) that was for the enjoyment of the guests attending the opening night. I was supposed to purchase the wine with this money, $10 per student, but Andy Totman, Mary Grainger and Aaron Tooth had contacts of their own and made some good deals on the Tafe’s behalf. We got wine from the CSU winery, Lilly Pilly, Magpies Nest and Aaron Tooth personally donated some Pink and Yellow champagne.

Along with organising the money for the wine, I also had to keep track of what plate of food everyone was bringing along for the opening and I also hustled people to email Jess Sinclair their artist statements. My chosen works for the Rated Art exhibition were – “Thundering Metal” a metal sculpture I made of scrap metal I found around my farm, much of it rusted and then welded into the manipulation of a horse; “If In Doubt” a painting of myself with mixed media; “League of Health and then DEATH!” a general drawing mixed media art challenging diary; “Go Away I’m Hungover” a self-portrait of myself using a scanner; and I had three pieces of drawing with the mouse in Photoshop.

Bumping in on the Monday consisted of us measuring and aesthetically placing art along the walls at eye level, using the spirit level and measuring tape many times. I got a paint brush and a tin of white paint and went around and plugged up pin holes with paint and also painted over smudge marks along the walls. My metal horse sculpture didn’t get taken down to the E3 Space until the Wednesday when Ralph Tikerpae had his sculpture trailer. Rated Art was open on the Thursday before the opening night and then on the Friday I dropped down some of the champagne to the E3 Space and I later went back at 5:20pm to bring my plate of food and to get ready for the Opening and for guests to arrive.

 That night I interacted with guests and took family and friends around the works, discussing and explaining techniques and methods used. If someone wished to buy an artwork they were required to pay a deposit of 20% on the night and during the exhibition showing. On the Monday I was rostered to mind the exhibition with Aaron Tooth, I stayed there the whole day, 10am-3pm and went back on the Wednesday for the morning shift with Jess Grainger. During this time I guided a few guests around the works and explained in detail the process and about the artists.. During bump out on Monday 7^th of November, purchasers of their art piece were required to pick up and pay for the rest of their work between 10am-12pm.

Digital Photography - 11. Final Assignment Photo Shoot (installation on social commentary)

INSTALLATION PROPOSAL – Nicole Ryan

A list of ideas

·         What I see as a Joke.
By using the symbolic face of the Joker off Batman I want to use him to take a stab at the media as being a joke at times. Shows such as A Current Affair and 60 Minutes tend to manipulate stories to suit their own whims. I was thinking of placing the Joker or a Joker face on a dummy behind a news desk set up with a photograph of a silly story in the background.

·         Music for Dummies

Games such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band now make it possible for just about anyone to be able to ‘appear’ as if they are playing a musical instrument. It is in fact all electronic and simplified, requiring no real talent at all because it is not the real thing. It’s a false reality.

·         False Reality

A very dark room, a person hunched over a table, playing a PC game on their laptop. They appear dishevelled and unkempt. There is food wrappings surrounding him, there is dirty plates and pizza boxes everywhere. They haven’t shaven in a long time and there is food and crumbs in his beard.

A chosen idea

Music for Dummies OR False Reality

A paragraph/page communicating your concept or approach

Music for Dummies - I want to gather four dummies (mannequins) and set them up in a band-like fashion. I can’t afford to buy wigs and rock and roll clothes for the dummies so I’m just going to have to either keep it in a sterile environment or it would be cool if I could create a lounge room setting creating the general atmosphere that Guitar Hero is played. I’m not sure how I could incorporate a false reality with a lounge room though because I want to keep my theme simple. Now, the mannequins have no arms so that is a bit awkward. I could maybe try to gather as many guitar’s as possible and drape them all over the dummies. I have to decide on the compositional aspect to the setting like do I want it to appear as if we as the audience is viewing the scene from the perspective of the television or do I want the dummies to be facing a television? But I don’t have a television to bring in… hmm.

A list of materials props people to be used

o   Two Guitar Hero guitars

o   A microphone and stand

o   A drum kit

o   4 mannequins (borrowed from Ralph)

o   Couch chair

o   Painting for the wall

o   Rug

o   Vase of flowers

o   Remote controls

A paragraph/page communicating your concept or approach
False Reality – This is a very common occurrence where a youth would rather spend all their time and energy playing video games. It becomes their world. There is even a YouTube video of a young boy going ballistic because his mum deleted his world of war craft account - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YersIyzsOpc
This is a good example of how computer games can take over lives, when really people should take a break once a while.
So, I want to get a desk with a computer and have a young dude (Milky) hunched over it in a dark small confined space/room. There will be mouldy pizza, plates, cans, bottles and such surrounding him.

A list of materials props/people to be used

o   A bearded man , Milky or Ammon

o   Rubbish – chip packets, cans, bottles

o   Dirty plates

o   Mouldy pizza

o   Computer/laptop

o   Socks and Undies?

o   Desk/chair?

Installation Report Post Shoot - 24/11/2011

I used Ammon Hope as my model for the ‘False Reality’ idea. I gathered a few dozen cans of Solo, chocolate wrappers, old pizza in its box, old Chinese, old lasagne on a plate, a few dirty plates and a couple of bags of MacDonald’s bags, cups and some vegemite on toast. I surrounded a cross legged Ammon with these items whilst he sat in front of a laptop (mine) with him wearing a black nerdy dragon t-shirt, shorts and socks  with his belly poking out.  There is no desk or chair to keep the photo simple and neat. He has glasses, a beard and long hair which were a perfect look for my shoot. I used the black back drop and didn’t use the flash for the photos, only modelling lights giving off the effect of the laptop screen being the source of light. My social comment is about how we all live for technology these days and I’m wondering if it’s healthy or not to certain degrees. I’m depicting a man who doesn’t take a break from technology not even to eat and he looks quite pathetic. I wanted it on a black backdrop to isolate the form and give the impression of a darkened room with no intrusion of the outside world. The focus on my chosen picture is on Ammon’s face, which is highlighted on his right side, and the whole composition is centred and has an even gravity of objects surrounding the central figure. I’m very happy with my final outcome and I believe I have successfully depicted what I was commenting on.

Creative Digital - 10. Artist CV - Nicole Ryan

Nicole Elizabeth Ryan

Personal Details

·         Born Wagga Wagga NSW Australia 1991

Education

·         2011 Currently studying Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at Charles Sturt University and Riverina TAFE Institute

·         2008 Graduated at Kildare Catholic College with a HSC – Art Major

·         2006 Sacred Heart Cootamundra School Certificate – Art Elective

Exhibitions/ Achievements

·         2011 Diploma Fine Arts – Stage 1, ‘Rated Art’ - end of year exhibition at the E3 Art Space Wagga Wagga Art Gallery

·         2011 Voted winner of the Viewer’s Choice Award in Rated Art exhibition

·         2011 1^st in Mixed Media, 1^st in Craft in the Arts Section at the Illabo Show

·         2010 Overall Champion Exhibit in the Arts Section at the Illabo Show

Employment/ Work experience

·         2011 Official Judge at the Illabo Show Arts Section (excluding Mixed Media and Craft)

Artist Statement

“We do this basically for ourselves. People appreciate it, which is cool, but I think they appreciate that we're doing it for ourselves. We're doing it our way, and how people like it is not up to us. We like it.”

James Hetfield (lead vocalist and guitarist for Metallica)

Sometimes my art is planned but most of the time it isn’t and I like that and that’s what matters. I tend to do art to entertain myself and usually in a personalised way, but I would love to make an epic art piece that focuses on something that I am really passionate about. I enjoy painting, printmaking and sculpture, especially using scrap metal and welding it together. I don’t have a set direction or a preferred medium at this point, I just go with whatever I think will look good. I am inspired by so much art out there; but I am still searching for my own style. There is much to learn still in my lifetime but I am thoroughly enjoying my artistic journey in getting there.

Digital Photography - 10. Selection Exercises

Digital Photography - 6. Night Time Photography

 

Digital Photography - 9. The Zoom Effect

Digital Photography - 1. Mailbox using Rule of Thirds

Digital Photography - 4. Cropped Images

Creative Digital - 7. Drawing with the Mouse

Creative Digital - 2. Bizarre Image

Digital Photography - 7. Create Your Own Filter (Cutout)

I chose to use the filter Cutout (Artistic) on three images of myself when I was overseas - France, Spain and England. I've edited all the images, such as in Image 1 (Umbrella), my face is a separate layer and has a lower Number of Levels and Edge Simplicity compared to the rest of the image. The Umbrella has not been filtered, but has been brightened to a brighter pink. Image 2 (Always use your nose) my shoulder went very blue so I cut out that section onto a different layer and again lowered the Number of Levels and Edge Simplicity. The quote is from Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring. Image 3 (Weeping Angel) my shirt had comlicated swirls on it that just didn't work so I edited it out to simplify it. I also had to clone some of the wings back in.

Creative Digital - 8. Merging Layers