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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Metaphorical Proposal #1



My project could be considered completely self sufficient as far as being based upon metaphors and memories. I am drawing my inspiration from my life map occurrences in place of the short story. I have one general, overall theme, created by combing multiple metaphors. It revolves around the metaphor of art saving my life.  Even though my proposal is based around a single, vague metaphor, visually multiple works of art will represent it. All of which, relating to memories within my life map list. I will also create a high representation of contrast within the assemblage of metaphors combined with very literal based objects and an overall metaphor that is more conceptual. In the first step to achieve this, I will develop multiple sculptures or three-dimensional objects to symbolize negative social practices and influences that in some way can relate to my past experiences. For example:

Consider the following broken down into three categories: memories/experiences, literal metaphors, and the process of creating each. 
Early collegiate party category--"shit faced"--Sculpt a head or a bust out of plaster or clay w / simulated waste on  the face. --"smoke a roach"--Collect or sculpt an actual roach bug and place it between a clip or tweezers. --"cancer stick"--Wooden sticks or tree branches in a cigarette package. --"skunk beer"--A beer bottle w/ a picture of a skunk as the label. 
Past relationship(s) category--"devil in disguise"--Sculpt a seemingly attractive girl w/half of her head resembling the devil
Depression, aftermath of a failed relationship, negative lifestyle category--"losing control", "losing my mind"--Acquire or create a section of a tree trunk, stapled upon it, a sign resembling a lost pet flyer with a picture of text reading control and sanity, both with dog collars 
 



(note, all metaphors are created in a very literal sense for a purpose)

Along with the pieces above, also placed in the same space will be other paraphernalia symbolizing this type of lifestyle, not necessarily relating to my past involvement but more to describe this genre. Such as, an empty condom box representing multiple sexual exploits, a broken piggy bank representing a malpractice in responsible budgeting, and empty pill bottles, further representing drug use.

All of these objects will then be enclosed inside a cage made up of paint brushes, sketching pencils, and other artistic mark making utensils. The cage or cell will also have chains and locks attached. This cell locking away all the negatively portrayed objects will represent how art stepped into my life and muted the extremities of past habits and influences, separating them from personal interaction. However, this cell will not be completely solid, the gaps between the utensils will make this personal separation porous, symbolizing the fact that the negative attributes are not completely shut off from existence and memory. Therefore, annoyingly they have the ability to leak through and contaminate my current self or cause influence. In which way I choose for these memories to influence me however, as an artist, fortunately is now up to me. I now have the ability to take these influences and channel them as sources for content in my artwork, therefore possibly considered a positive outcome.

Next to the cage will be a first aid kit. Only this first aid kit will not contain medical supplies but instead art supplies. I will create packages that will closely resemble actual medical ones filled with things like a tube of paint in place for antibacterial cream, a roll of a canvas strip in place for gauze, paint brushes, pencils, strips of paper, charcoal, etc.

Each setting will be displayed close together on multiple podiums and I will incorporate different lighting into each scenario.  

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