Hello Phil,
It has been a very exciting first couple of weeks (if we don't include the annoying snow) full of different ideas and discoveries. While I was doing research on the uncanny theory I found myself desired to look more into this very interesting subject matter. All my ideas were completely irrelevant to one another but I hope my decision for my final scene is good which is the street bombared with voodoo-like dolls. I mainly chose this scene as it will be easy for me to get as much reference as possible when being home. But other than the excitement there have been a lot of doubts for this project and I am quite concerned about the Maya part (aaaa!! panick attack!) which is not my cup of tea. Hopefully I will not find as many problems as I did in Unit 2 and work on my digital set with more enjoyment. As for the essay, I came up with an idea today which is to analyse the work of hyperrealists sculptors. Their work is mind triggering and disturbing but I want to be certain that I approach this essay right this time and answer the question correctly.
Here are the hyperlinks to 'make your life easier':
Research:
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/11/inspiration-chernobyl-disaster.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/11/first-ideas.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/11/uncanny-valley-and-videogames.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-corfu-town.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-mannequins.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-puppets.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-blair-witch-project.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-house-of-wax.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-island-of-dolls-mexico.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-wall-mounted-animal-heads.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/research-10-most-amazing-ghost-towns.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-coraline-eye-buttons.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/research-underwater-museum-in-cancun.html
Thumbnails
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/thumbnails-1-6.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/thumbnails-7-12.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/thumbnails-19-24.html
(only half-way through but I'll do a lot more)
Life Drawing
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/live-drawing-11.html
Maya Work
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/maya-fur.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/maya-texturing-with-fur-santa-hat.html
(Not done with the first tutorial yet but I'll hopefully finish them all tomorrow)
Photoshop experimentation
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/photoshop-experimentation.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/photo-manipulation-experiments.html
Influence Maps
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/first-influence-map.html
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/influence-map-2.html
Film Reviews:
The Haunting
Repulsion
Rosemary's Baby
The Tenant
Essay Idea
http://andrianal.blogspot.com/2010/12/first-essay-idea.html
Interim Online Review 14/12/2010
ReplyDeleteHey Andriana,
Thanks so much for the organised, 'tutor-friendly' IOR. Okay, starting with the written assignment first - yes, I think 'hyperrealism' as a genre of art is great choice as case-study by which to demonstrate your understanding of 'the uncanny' effect. It's that idea of the horror of 'excessive likeness' and the uncanny valley - when something is 98% 'real' (and it's the missing 2% that unnerves us). Take a look at the link to the Unit 3 guidance notes on the group blog for further advice re. structure.
http://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.com/2010/12/fao-cgaa-year-1-unit-3environment-essay.html
I know you've lost some confidence re. assignments, but you've got a fine brain, a good work ethic and a talent for project management, so I'm sure you'll be much improved this time around.
Regarding your final idea - the street scene bombarded with voodoo dolls - when I first read that, my mind showed me this image by Magritte:
http://www.mcs.csueastbay.edu/~malek/Surrealism/Magritte2.html
and when I looked at your influence map of the alleyways, I saw this:
http://www.abcroomsinrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/de_chirico_01.jpg
I'm just a bit concerned that the voodoo dolls might be too much; not so much the fact that they're everywhere, but rather that voodoo dolls themselves might have too many associations, or be too 'obvious' somehow. Also - they might look too 'cute'. However, Sandy Skoglund creates very theatrical effects with her 'tableaux vivants' - so maybe your idea isn't theatrical enough? Perhaps you should think more about the inherent surrealism of what you intend to create and embrace it more?
This is just some visual ref that may - or may not - help you further refine your plan:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.internationalfolkart.org/about/htm/html_full/images_full/1853.jpg
http://www.hawaii.edu/lruby/art400/FOXGAME.GIF
http://www.kettlewell.info/scarecrow.cfm
also, I don't if you've seen this animation?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ePWK0qfisE
I know you're worried about Maya etc. For this reason, I suggest you look at de Chirico and Magritte for a more purposefully 'stage set' feel - in this project, that 'artificiality' can work as a plus...
Hope you've recovered from 'Eraserhead' now? :D
Merry Christmas - and I look forward to seeing your concept art filter through - remember - I want to see evidence that students are using their concept art to drive the art direction/production design of their finished scene - and remember too, your composition needs to include a matte painting to extend the world of your scene (again, think de Chirico).
Don't worry about Maya, you've got the time over Christmas to get stuck in. Don't avoid it, and don't let it beat you. What's the worst that can happen?
ReplyDelete