Mirror

MIRROR

The first topic on my Foundation course was Mirror. I began by brainstorming around this topic to explore the different avenues I could possibly go down. I found that by using images as a part of this process was really helpful in coming up with ideas.

*SKETCHBOOK PAGES*

I gathered even more inspiration and ideas from a trip to the V&A Museum. I enjoyed looking out for the less obviously linked pieces to the topic as I found that this broadened my thoughts even more.

Below are two studies I created from one of Paul Hogarth's displays in the V&A. I was particularly interested in this trumpet piece as I loved how Hogarth had taken such a mirrored surfaced object and drawn it in a way which completely took that texture away. It made me think about creating a piece to do with the topic of Mirror that was not so obvious but required thought from the viewer. 

I experimented with a variety of materials to see the kind of effects I could achieve with inspiration from Hogarth's style. The first experiment I did (above) was taken from the sketch I did in the gallery, to which I used watered down black acrylic to fill in. This gave the block effect which Paul Hogarth's original shows. For the second experiment (below) I decided to reverse the light/dark as well as focus in on a particular part of the trumpet. This not only emphasised the many shapes in the trumpet but also created more distance from the shiny, mirrored texture a trumpet would usually have. I used string as I thought that the textured material would create even more of a statement, showing the complete opposite of a typical mirrored texture of a trumpet. Despite the positives to these experiments I decided that I was going to move on from this idea of opposing mirrored objects as this  idea was not developed enough.

I decided that I did not feel excited enough by my idea and so, I decided to try another idea. This was to look at the relationships between people and objects. In particular I was interested a person and 'their object'. I began looking at family, friends and strangers. I settled on my sister as I knew her well and could therefore create a more real, understanding piece. If I had more time for this project I would definitely have considered using strangers as I feel this could give a really insightful view into people we don't know. 

At first I wanted to explore how an object/objects can represent someone, and mirror them as a person. However as my ideas developed I refined the objects down to just one. Below are a few sketchbook pages of me experimenting with technique and of my model and her object. I found this process really fun as I got to experiment with techniques and ideas whilst being able to ask my sister for her  input. 

(Bottom right, sketch I used in initial final piece)

INITIAL FINAL PIECE

Here are my four final outcomes for the Mirror project. They effectively show off the technique I was using (creating illusions and being playful with mirrors) as well as showing off a person and their object.What I learnt most from creating these was that the positioning of the mirror really determined the way one interprets the piece. For example, in the two left photographs I have mirrored them so that they are symmetrical (a technique that is supposed to make people/things more attractive). It is interesting however how the object ended up looking almost alien like!

Overall I think that my final pieces explore the topic Mirror effectively however the idea could still be pushed further.

IMPROVED FINAL PIECE

Although as a group we had finished the Mirror project, I felt that I could still push my idea further. I continued to think of people and their objects, objects that represent them. I wanted the individual and their objected to be more linked rather than set apart like my initial final piece. This is why I chose this photograph of the model Cara Delevinge. The foundation highlights the industry she is in as well as the pressures of appearance. The format of a photograph from one of her shoots also demonstrates the industry she is in. Overall I think this idea is much more consistent than the initial one. The bottom photograph below is my improved final outcome. I digitally mirrored the photograph to gain this much more professional and striking image. If I was to take this idea any further I would probably use primary sources to create the final image.