Photoshop 3

Final Image: Overall this is the least favourite of my photoshops. It lacks detail, complexity and it communicates cultural significance in my opinion quite poorly considering the drawings are barely visible. This was a result of me attempting reflect the influence of culture in a different way. To improve I could've blended the eyes better and made the image more interesting. However in saying that I do like the depth this image possess.

Documentation of Preliminary drawings - The image below is the one used in the eye. It was my own design of a basic Maori tattoo inspired by the 3 shown below.

Photoshop 2 

Layer 1 - My background was a drawing I designed inspired from the Maori tatto used on my mask. 

Layer 2 - This layer added the addition of 2 of my selected face painting images. Again by using a mask, altering the opacity and this time softening the edges I tried to ensure the 3 images complemented each other. I think the repeated tattoo design on the face and background acted to do so.

Layer 3 - On this layer I used a gradient in hope to add some depth to the work. By using a tone similar to the one of my face painting I hoped to unite the 3 images as 1.

Layer 4 - In my final layer again i used a flower similarly in an abstract way. I played with the colour saturation in order to produce this and whilst it's not my favourite I like the use of colour. 

Analysis: Compared to my other photoshop images as seen in the layer palet below this image was more complicated using various techniques as a result of my experimenting. There is evidence of the influence of my selected culture in the background and I like the way it compliments the detail on the face painting. However I think to improve the overall image I needed to form the layers into 1 whole image.

Photo shop 1

Layer 1 - In the first layer I copied a series of images of segments of a statue in my room in order to produce a basic background

Layer 2 - In this layer I tried to in-corporate my face painting in a way that was subtle in the sense that it didn't look like it was just dropped there however I still wanted some form of distinction between the seceond and first layer. I also used an effect over Chloe's face, this helped as it removed the extremely visable cracks of the white paint. 

Layer 3 - The third layer uses the corner of a flower to add another dimension to the piece. By using a  mask and altering the opacity i was able to utilise the contrast in colour of the flower and my background when turning of specific ... 

Option 1 - Although this wasn't my final photoshop image it was a result of altering the colour schemes that in the end I turned out to quite like.

Final Photoshop - Instead in my final photoshop I decided to limit colour by ......... 

Analysis: As this was one of my initial photoshops the skills used were pretty limited. Overall I am happy with the final image however it doesn't communicate culturally the influences of Maori culture reflected in the actual face painting how I would've liked. I believe there is some form of balance in the image that resulted from the accidental use of a segment of a large flower.

Face Painting 

My first two face painting designs derived from the influence of African culture. In the video i noted how they particularly used the contrast of black and white so i atempted to do so with the addition of colours found within nature. I quite like the contrast of the bluey colour to the rich red however if I were to have completed these images i believe the black would've been to dominant in comparison to everything else.

My final design seen below was informed by the practices of Maori culture. Whilst it didn't turn out the same as my design I was pretty happy with the result. However I would've liked to use more intricate detail on the eyes reflecting the contemporary influence on my work as seen below and I regret using white as the base to my painting as it continued to crack which was difficult to hide in my photoshop. In doing my face painting particularly the tattoo the development of my painting skills proved to develop as well as my photoshop whilst i was editing the flaws of the cracked paint. Initially I hoped to paint everything including the small dots and the detail on the right however this proved to be to difficult in the end so instead i resorted to using eyeliner. I would've liked a more clean image with the false eyelashes in tact and the base smooth so thats something i think i need to work on. 

 

 

Contemporary Body Art - Orlan 

 

The unrealistic ideals of beauty within current culture, derived from the western canon informs the practice of Orlan. Her work is heavily dependent upon the development of technology as it ensures she can not only use her body as a medium but it also allows her to document her performances.

The Kiss of The Artist

1976

http://actioncoverparty.wordpress.com/about-2/

 

Orlan's first major work was 'the kiss of the artist; which she performed in 1976. It became a subject of scandal stirring various reactions but ultimately it gave the perfomance artist a name in art. It also pushed her forward on her career as an artist denying the ideal as a result of the immediate firing from her job. The work acted to critique the "gendered and exploitative model of the capitalist economy." Unlike anything ever seen before Orlan used her body as the medium for her performanced based work.

 

 

The Reincarnation of Saint Orlan

Ongoing since May 1990

http://art100.wikispaces.com/OrlanPresentation

The reincarnation of Saint Orlan is an ongoing series of plastic surgeries where the artist transforms herself to the ideals of beauty within the western canon in order to create a "composite woman." The surgeries as a part of her "carnal art" were filmed and broadcasted in instiutions worldwide. Contradictory to traditional values Orlan embraces cosmetic surgery instead of condeming it. The deconstruction of Orlan's body is significant as it reveals the deconstruction of women in our current culture. By undergoing these surgeries in order to fulfil the ideal of beauty Orlan is commenting on the contructed and narrow percpetion of beauty within society.

Yasamasa Morimura (1951)

Similar to Orlan, Morimura is also heavily dependent upon technology. He also presents his art forms in photography, perfromace and/or videos. The extensive assitsance of makeup, costuming and particularly digital media enables him to manipulate himself to images confronting the assumption of mainstream values such as gneder and race.
 

Self Portrait - After Marilyn Monroe

1996

Gelatin Silver Pritns

44 x 34.5 cm

 

http://portraitpainting2011.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/self-portrait-after-marilyn-monroe.html

In this artwork Morimura reconfigures the ideal beauty surrounding Marilyn Monroe. Moriumura intentionally chose to subject himself to the icon of Monroe as she is a representation of the idyllic characteristics which define beauty. Through appropriating a Japanese man into the famous image of Monroe he challenges the values placed upon gender and race in current society, “would Marilyn Monroe be as sexy if she was Japanese – and a man?” Additionally Morimura uses parody to reflect the absence of Asian culture in historical accounts of art. In reversing the roles of males and females he examines the role of gender and power in society. The portrait can be decoded to confront the responder through the confronting subject choice.

 

An innder diaolgue with Frida Kahlo, Collar of thorns

2001

Colour Photography

http://carearts.org/families/explore-art/an-inner-dialogue-with-frida-kahlo-crown-of-thorns.html

In this artwork Morimura reconfigures the definition of the masterpiece, “collar of thorns,” by Frida Kahlo, a significant artist in western culture. Although with the insertion of Morimura’s head comes a sense of satire and parody he genuinely identifies and respects himself with the artists work he’s appropriating. The presence of Morimura in the artwork as an Asian man exposes the pattern of authority and the assumptions of mainstream values in traditional art, which he as a post modern artist strives to defy. In order to achieve this outcome Morimura undergoes extensive transformation through "makeup and clay augmentation" as well as the restaging of previously painted scenes and later technological adjustments.

Cultural Influence - Maori Body Art

My final face painting was inspired by the Maori culture tattoo designs. 

The method of Maori tattoos is called Ta Moko. The markings that are done within the tribe are done through the puncturing of skin and then the inserting of dye under the layers exposed. What separates Maori tattoos from others is the technique involved. They use a detailed process of chiselling the skin with an uhi. A distinctive marking of Maori tattoos is “the grooved nature,” of the markings. Additionally the use of spirals and the similarity of the correspondence of the faces identifies the body art as Maori.

http://www.aswetravel.com/weird-interesting-body-art-from-around-the-world/

http://www.news.com.au/travel/movie-sports-stars-celebrities-prompt-traditional-maori-tattoo-revival/story-e6frfqr0-1225880482813

http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/1800nz.htm

The Maori culture integrates body modification rituals into its tradition. This acts to symbolise Maori’s identity as a culture. Maori tattoos are used to communicate the “rites of passage from childhood to adulthood.” Majority of the native tribes exemplify gender specific details in their style of body art separating the two sexes. Maori’s however use their body art to identify social status. In saying that traditionally women were restricted to marking only on their face, neck and lips with men’s designs focussing on their thighs, backs, stomachs, calves and face.

Cultural Influence - African Body Art

Whilst I didn't use the influence of African Body art to inform my final face painting, it informed my first two initial designs. The following research on the practice of African Body art provided me with an insight to the intention and use of body art within African culture which later inspired my work.

 African Body art takes on many appearances depending on the culture and the influence to the art making. As a result from the climate and custom of Africa heavy body adornment of clothing and bulky materials are difficult and therefore intern body art is promoted. Prior to the introduction of urban values to Africa, scarification was extremely popular and is still found amongst elders today. It’s a form of art intended to decorate and beautify the body through the development of scars. The art produced from scarification is deemed as a sign of your social significance with the puncturing or engravings marking various values. The difference in the motif’s and scaring separates the tribes of Africa. Depending on the tools and the use of organic saps and/or ashes some scars are more profound and embellished than others. The depth of the scars serves as a symbol to the power and endurance to the person acting as the canvas as complicated designs reveal the individuals strength.

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/body%20decoration

http://www.nileguide.com/blog/2010/05/20/ouch-extreme-ethnic-body-modifications-around-the-world/

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Africa/Benin/South/Plateau/photo455708.htm

The Maasai people of East Africa and the Turkana people of Kenya are also known for their body art. The Maasai people layer beads around their waists and chests along with the use of red ocher as a paint over their legs and through the braids in their hair. Similarly the Turkana people use clothing and beadwork to depict the social status of an individual. When ones entering puberty they were a unique, leather black cloak ornamented with a circle of  white beads. Men shave intricate hairlines with the remaining hair coloured with mud.

http://wodumedia.com/tattoos-piercings-and-scarification/maasai-man-kenya-photograph-by-nigel-pavittawlaurora-photos-colorful-beadwork-covers-the-ear-of-a-maasai-man-in-kenya-both-men-and-women-maasai-wear-earrings-and-stretch-their-earlobes-to-enhanc/

http://ellieannsoderstrom.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/worldly-wednesday-tats

/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rietje/5997141432/ 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rietje/5997092788/

Preliminary Research: Contemporary Body Art in comparison to Traditional

Prior to our face painting we were encouraged to research the use of body art in both traditional and contemporary times as a source of inspiration for our designs. From my research I noticed the more versatile ways in which artists of the post modern era used the body as a canvas. Whilst traditional art, as evident in the previous post proved to have great cultural significance, contemporary body art acts to reveal the values and ideals of society. This can vary from gender to class, to race to ethnicity to technology to politics to religion to science even to environmental issues. Furthermore traditional forms of body art was limited to adorning the body with the absence of technology. This development in addition to the difference in values has enabled current body art to identify itself in the following forms.. 

• plastic surgery
• tattoos
• makeup
• hair dyes
• nail art
• 'grills'
• ear stretchers piercings 

From this we are enabled to understand the difference in values reflected in most traditional and contemporary forms of body art with beauty playing a large role in contemporary forms. 

http://www.kathyirelandbaby.mobi/?p=83

http://juliemissjuicy.com/make-up/false-eyelash-tutorial-2/

http://says.com/sg/fun/deadly-fashion-braces-are-big-in-thailand 

The three images above of body art in contemporary times revelas the idolisation of beauty, a prevailing  value of current society.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotcherry/4333199876/

http://badtattooidea.com/top-10-most-tattooed-people-in-the-world/

The two above images affirm the development of technology in contemporary body art.

http://patternbank.com/printed-skin-contemporary-body-art/

http://www.chalkcircle.com.au/bodyart/bodyart18.htm

 Whilst both the images above establish an experience between the artwork, possibly the artist and the audience they also derive from traditional forms of body art. We can gain this understanding from the use of nature in the work in contrast to images such as the first two expressing the idealistic form of beauty.

Traditional Body Art - Introduction to Body Art

This video documenting Body Art acted as an introduction to the materials and influences used in traditional forms of body art i.e. African. The intentions of African Body Art was to use the skin as a canvas in hopes attract the opposite sex, to gain acess into the spiritual world and to separate oneself from the enemy. In contrast to modern day materials the materials of traditional African body art derive from thier natural environment. For example to produce a rich redish colour they would go to the banks of the Omo River (known to be on of the "last remaing pockets of African Culture") and collect okar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkMP0il-VsQ&noredirect=1 

Traditional African Art was informed by rock engravings and paintings similar to the ones below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradshaw_rock_paintings

http://www.donsmaps.com/africanart.html

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~raar/RegionsSAarticle.html

The use of the materials found within the natural world within traditional African body art are shown in the images below. In their practice they used white chalk on the end of sticks in addition to different pigmented rocks. This was because they recognised the contrast in colour with detailed prints of white on the indiviudals skin. However in irony to the amount of work they put in these designs lasted usually for a maximum of one day.

http://www.africanconservancy.org/member/bodyart/surma.html

http://www.worldofstock.com/stock-photos/africa-ethiopia-omo-valley-karo-tribesmen-warrior/WOS19233

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/3440146/Living-Africa-photography-by-Steve-Bloom.html?image=5