Title: Essence-light the fire
Size: 24 x 24in Medium: Photography Completion: July 2022 Exhibition text: The original intention of this piece was to present the image of traditional Somali culture through the eyes of a Baroque Still Life lens. This can be seen from the dark background and the components within the piece. The piece was inspired by the painting¨Still Life and Ewer and Basin, Fruit, Nautilus Cup and Other Objects¨ by Willem Kalf. The piece was made using a camera and photopea. |
Inspiration
For this piece I was inspired by Willem Kalfs "Still Life with Ewer and Basin, Fruit, Nautilus Cup and Other Objects". I was inspired by this piece because of the fact that it gave me the idea for this piece. I knew I wanted to somehow display these objects I also had in mind but wasn't sure how. From past classes I was aware of the Baroque art style and had an idea that maybe an artist made a still life of inanimate objects. Fortunately after conducting some research, I found this piece by Willem Kalf. This piece inspired me because of the dark background and the rich dark fabric that the objects are on top of. Also the objects themselves have gold accents and it really allowed me to picture what I wanted to do for my piece. I plan on using multiple aspects from the inspiration in my piece. These include the dark background, the dark fabric the objects are one, and the movement or tilting of the objects. I believe that that will add to the piece as well because the objects will not just sit in a straight line, instead look as though they've been tossed around.
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Planning
The planning process for this piece started with me completing sketches of ideas I had and how I wanted the orientation of the objects to be along with the colors I would use. After I had a sense of what I wanted to do, I gathered my materials which included flat surfaces. I used canvas, so that the object and fabric could sit higher. I also gather the physical objects that I would use for the piece. Which included small bottles of perfume called Cater, the larger cup like things called dabkad, the electric ones and traditional ones, along with other gold accented objects. I also got different fabrics to use on the floor so that I would be able to see different styles.
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Process
After taking a picture with it, I didn't really like it so I used the curtain instead. By using the curtain, it allowed for me to still have the darkness from the baroque style and the silky texture that adds highlight along with tying to Somalian culture. After situating the curtain, I added the objects in ways I had drawn from the sketches and took multiple pictures from different angles.
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To begin the process of making the piece. I set up the canvases with two for the back and four for the ground. This allowed for the object to rest on something high and sturdy and for the fabric for the back to be draped over something. I then put the black fabric on the back and added the red a black designed fabric on the bottom.
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After moving the objects around multiple times and changing the amount of light I was using on the right. I finally ended e with a picture that I thought was decent. I then uploaded it to my computer where I began editing it on photopea. By editing the photo, it allowed me to really connect the piece to the insertion by darkening some areas and giving it some sharpening so that it looks like a Baroque Still Life painting such as the inspiration.
Experimentation
The experimentation for this piece consisted of changing the lighting or the amount of light that came into the piece when taking a picture. Along with the way the fabric on the floor was posited. It also consisted of what type of fabric. I also experimented with different tools on the photopea application. I tried out different filters that sharpened, warped or changed the color of the photo. I didn't really like any of them the one I explained in the process section of making the piece.
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Critique
Similarities
A similarity between the inspiration and my piece is that they both depict objects as the core centerpiece of the piece. They both have inanimate objects with gold accents that are the main objective of the piece. Another similarity between the pieces that they both have an aspect of movement. Even though the physical layout of the piece is different, the fact that the objects do not just stand straight but are tilted or layed flat. This allows for the viewer to walk through the piece and find every component individually.
Differences
A very evident difference between my piece and the inspiration is that my piece is photography based, while the inspiration is an oil painting. The use of two different mediums allow for different techniques to be used but ultimately look the same. For instance in my piece, I would really be able to get the matte finished look that comes with oil paints. Even though I could add an oil paint filter it wouldn't be the same. The same thing can be said for the oil paint because it doesn't have the same options of reordering or positing objects unless you completely restart the piece. Also with editing the photo there comes many possibilities. Another difference between my piece and the inspiration is the movement within the piece and the objects used. While mine is more horizontal and has traditional Somalian objects in it. The inspiration has more of a vertical movement and various objects that differ.
A similarity between the inspiration and my piece is that they both depict objects as the core centerpiece of the piece. They both have inanimate objects with gold accents that are the main objective of the piece. Another similarity between the pieces that they both have an aspect of movement. Even though the physical layout of the piece is different, the fact that the objects do not just stand straight but are tilted or layed flat. This allows for the viewer to walk through the piece and find every component individually.
Differences
A very evident difference between my piece and the inspiration is that my piece is photography based, while the inspiration is an oil painting. The use of two different mediums allow for different techniques to be used but ultimately look the same. For instance in my piece, I would really be able to get the matte finished look that comes with oil paints. Even though I could add an oil paint filter it wouldn't be the same. The same thing can be said for the oil paint because it doesn't have the same options of reordering or positing objects unless you completely restart the piece. Also with editing the photo there comes many possibilities. Another difference between my piece and the inspiration is the movement within the piece and the objects used. While mine is more horizontal and has traditional Somalian objects in it. The inspiration has more of a vertical movement and various objects that differ.
Reflection
Overall I was content with the end result of this piece. This was my first time doing a lens-based project and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. One challenge I faced however was trying to get a decent photo or one that I liked. It was hard to determine the amount of lighting I should use and what the position of some objects would be. When people look at my piece, I hope that they see the immediate connection to the inspiration but that the objects on their own have a different meaning.
Connecting to the ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
I am able to identify the cause-effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork because I was able to visualize and complete the ideas I had.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the author regarding the topic of my inspiration was to capture the way that the objects sit in an everyday place.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization or conclusion I discovered about ideas while conducting research was that there are many baroque still life paintings that each tell their own story regarding the artist.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
The central idea for them around my inspirational research was to find something that would capture the essence of the objects, allowing for them to be in a casual state.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference I made while reading my research was that many baroque paintings are meant to have something the center of attention with a dark background, helping it be the main focus.
I am able to identify the cause-effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork because I was able to visualize and complete the ideas I had.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the author regarding the topic of my inspiration was to capture the way that the objects sit in an everyday place.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization or conclusion I discovered about ideas while conducting research was that there are many baroque still life paintings that each tell their own story regarding the artist.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
The central idea for them around my inspirational research was to find something that would capture the essence of the objects, allowing for them to be in a casual state.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference I made while reading my research was that many baroque paintings are meant to have something the center of attention with a dark background, helping it be the main focus.
Bibliography
Kalf, Willem. “Still Life with Ewer and Basin, Fruit, Nautilus Cup and Other Objects.” Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, www.museothyssen.org/en/collection/artists/kalf-willem/still-life-ewer-and-basin-fruit-nautilus-cup-and-other-objects.