'BIRD OF PEACE, 2017'
HONG KONG
One of the most prominent protests in our current world - which began as a rallying cry against the governments plan to allow extraditions to China. Tens of thousands of protesters have been swarming the streets of Hong Kong since June, all of which have continued to fight for their voice, even resorting to violence and extreme acts at times.
Another clear symbol, is the 'BAUHINIA FLOWER,' of which appears on the Hong Kong flag, this emblem has almost be reinvented through the protest and instead, presented in a rather dreary and sinister way. Almost implying that the original elements of the country are being tainted by darkness and corruption.
CHILE
Tens of thousands of people are protesting in Chile currently which has stemmed from Government policies corrupting the subway fare for students, this was the initial event that sparked nationwide demand in economical and political changes.
The protestors in Chile are repeatedly being photographed wearing MASKS, hiding?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72FxgU7LvFk&has_verified=1
I asked for a while range of recommendations from friends and family on ways to research into current issues, they suggested this Vice video which captivated me immediately. It really gave me an insight to Syria's continuous struggle, and introduced me to 'ANTIFA' in the US. Watching videos like this makes me want to delve deeper into what is occurring within the world, which is something I tended to brush past before. I thought that I would include this link as I genuinely think it's worth a watch, I tried to look at the events in an obscure way, not looking at them literally but trying to notice themes and characteristics which might cause this corruption.
The feeling of 'WORTH' seems to be something that the people who are angry seem to lack immensely. To me, Bashar Al- Assad caused so much utter destruction only to gain credit and power, all of which make you feel important. It so sad, to think that humanity are capable of destruction, to make themselves feel worth. I would like to explore other ways in which humanity can feel important and understood, whether it's through being honest and telling all about how you feel, or being made to feel comfortable in your own skin, physically, as this is such a huge barrier to feeling worthy in todays society.
SOCIAL MEDIA HAS PREVENTED PEOPLE FROM BEING TRUE TO THEMSELVES
We decided our Manifesto was going to be associated with people revealing their layers and being more true to other people and true to themselves. Social media has clearly acted as a catalyst to this problem within society due to the expectations of 'PERFECTION,' that are uploaded everywhere online. Were aware that it's a rather cliche topic, however we truly feel it's an issue that could be one of the main reasons why there is so much inequality within humanity, a lot of people are not honest, so therefore, deep, problematic issues don't get solved. Eva's manifesto really encouraged this last trail of thought.
CHESSIE KING
Chessie King is an influencer who has even encouraged me to accept my body and change the negative mindset that so many people follow about themselves in a physical and mental way. She used to be a competer in shows, so constantly faced battles of looking good - she soon realise how unhealthy this was, and that she wasn't listening to her true self when putting on a brave face.
Her confident and accepting outlook is something I thought of straight away when our group discussed the concept of 'REVEALING YOURSELF,' and after looking at her story in more depth I think using a figure to convey our message further could be even more representative of our message.
Publicises her journey to a more healthy mindset which I think is so inspiring, especially with the judgemental platform she exposes herself too. Promoting this acceptance is a way to gradually change peoples perceptions of 'beauty.'
DAMIEN POULAIN
Damien is our chosen artist to drive this weeks project, his style and approach to art is something we should embody within our collaborative work. He works with geometric shapes and bold colour in multiple types of mediums to portray political and social messages, which are aimed to bring communities and people together to create a better world. He interestingly forms these geometric patterns from observational drawing which is a technique I like to use myself when creating a pattern, I like his use of bold shapes with clean edges as I think they are visually aesthetic so encourage people to look at the whole piece more intricately.
Poulin really encouraged us to find information from our surroundings, to observe and look at situations/people and the world differently. By doing so, he believes we will find topics and ways of life that we don't agree with which is good to convey through art. All his work has depth, whether its from his own experience, or if it's about situations occurring in the world. So I think our main aim as a group would be to spread a message that we truly believe in.
'WALL OF DOORS AND POSSIBILITIES, 2019'
Masks were banned in Hong Kong due to the ability to shield identity, many protestors have gone against this rule, and instead, worn famous people on masks to suggest that if they were to hold more authority and recognisability - they would be heard.
The reoccurring motif within protest is: People retaliating as its all they can do to be HEARD
SYMBOLISM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-29407067
(2014) protests in Hong Kong started the 'Umbrella Revolution,' however, its clear this symbol and act is being embodied in the protests today.
The symbol of an umbrella has become a reoccurring staple to the protests occurring right now, the reasoning highlights how serious and committed the people taking part in this protest are. It a 'SYMBOL OF DEFIANCE' - allowing the protestors to shield themselves from the attacks from the police and the fluids that are being spread around.
Tattoo's are becoming the modern statement within protests, the commitment and courage that comes with a tattoo implies that the protesters are so passionate about what they're fighting for.
- Idea could link to wanting PERMANENT change?
Starting to research into the stem words given, with link to the protests, it's interesting to consider how the protesters are bravely breaking the habits that we all as humans embody, allowing the government and law to control us day to day, but they don't.
-Concept of breaking stereotypical habits
SPENCER TUNIC
'BIG COLOUR 7, 2010'
Spencer Tunic is an artist who in himself almost protests to gain the right to represent art in public places, but not minimal art, art that highlights and strips humans back to their purist form - naked. His installations encompass dozens, hundreds and thousands of volunteers to join together to create collective shapes and finishes which are typically photographed from a high view. I think these photographs and installations are so powerful, they show humanity going together in their most vulnerable form to create art and something collectively, as one.
The pieces aim to challenge people's perspective of nudity and privacy, even when I looked into his work, I had the realisation that we are all ultimately the same and that really shouldn't be overlooked. There are ways humanity can find peace and work together, as hatred to me does not seem natural, it is something that has been taught and equipped over time due to selfishness evolving.
I think Tunic's pieces strip opinion, violence, anger, and the emotion that humans feel towards each other, and instead present humans as one. This links with what our group were investigating, we all concluded that if humans treated other humans how we would want to be treated, the world would ultimately be a lot less angry.
MOUS LAMRABAT
Mous Lamrabat is a Moroccan and European photographer who focuses on the term 'COMBINATION,' he lived two very different lives in different cultures and his work hopes to be a visual representation of himself. Combining pattern work and landscape from Morocco with European brands or way or life. I think his choice of colour, poses and environment are so interesting and unique to his personality, which is what makes the fusion so interesting. The tutor encouraged us to look at Lambast due to the way he drapes and places materials on the body. I think this is particularly prominent in the piece above as the focal point is clearly more shifted towards the African pattern work. Lambarat somewhat conveys a message that could be considered quite political, this is why I found his work so intriguing, he states -
"We live in a world where everyone and everything is divided; I don't like that about today's society, it is not the answer to our problems."
I think this message is really strong, and is extremely applicable to a lot of the corruption around the world now. I would like to embody Mous' approach to how people should think, how humanity should not divide but instead ACCEPT OURSELVES so we can ACCEPT EACH OTHER. But also, the way in which he drapes and almost absorbs the human frame in fabric is really powerful so we will try and embody this when looking at putting our banner on the body.
Hanging on the body in a similar way, allowing the fabric to take its shape instead of moulding.