Hidden behind
Exhibition
Size 20 cm x 15 cm
Medium Dry Point
Date completed 11/15/18
Medium Dry Point
Date completed 11/15/18
I took big inspiration from vintage masks and old Victorian Halloween photos. My piece is Titled "Hidden Behind" I wanted to express my view point on Society and the way social media manipulates people to hide behind masks in order to express themselves. That way they fit in and look as everyone else. This piece is a dry point print created using a plastic sheet etching the design and then using oil based ink (Intaglio) to press the image.
Inspiration
A common motif that I wish to express through my art is self reflection. I am a big fan of vintage things and the early 1900s masks to me have always symbolized covering and or hiding what makes an individual unique with all sorts of variations of features. So I took big inspiration from vintage masks and old Victorian Halloween photos. I feel that in today's society everyone eventually loses some individuality due to social expectations and social media I look around and I see copy cats. I placed hands around the bunny to signify the hands of society manipulating the mask the bunny man wears today.
Joe. “Joe.” Pinpopular, 14 Jan. 2014, www.pinpopular.com/t-t-t-t-by-carolin-wanitzek-on-behance-pinterest-art/.
“Carolin Wanitzek - Projects.” Carolin Wanitzek - Projects, carolinwanitzek.de/.
Planning sketches
My first Idea was to have the Bunny Boy play an almost ventriloquist dummy roll and have the hands attached to the masks with strings.
However the sketch is incomplete because in the end it wasn't how I wanted to express the piece. |
The second sketch I created was completed as I took interest into this design more as it expressed masks as a multitude of personas one might put on depending on social situations and or time in society. The hands represent the force and influence of society. Each reaching for the already existing mask.
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Process
Over all the process for printing is simple.
First I gathered all my materials Oil based ink Gloves Spatula to spread the ink and 8 x 10 in water color paper
Secondly I started a timer for 8 mins to soak my paper
Third I placed a small amount of ink and spread the ink around the entire plate in ink
Fourth I then took newsprint strips and in light circular motions removed access ink careful not to remove any from the line works
Fifth I placed my paper onto the press then placed my plate etched side down
Sixth I rolled in a continuous motion distributing pressure evenly
Lastly I took my printed plate and separated the two to reveal my print
First I gathered all my materials Oil based ink Gloves Spatula to spread the ink and 8 x 10 in water color paper
Secondly I started a timer for 8 mins to soak my paper
Third I placed a small amount of ink and spread the ink around the entire plate in ink
Fourth I then took newsprint strips and in light circular motions removed access ink careful not to remove any from the line works
Fifth I placed my paper onto the press then placed my plate etched side down
Sixth I rolled in a continuous motion distributing pressure evenly
Lastly I took my printed plate and separated the two to reveal my print
Experimentation
I used a friend of mine for proportion as I had originally planned to have the bunny man be full bodied. However with the sketch I like torso up better.
As well as full body I wanted to have a black suit on the bunny. I chose against this as I wanted the man to be seen as a white canvas that society paints on. I placed hands around the bunny to signify the hands of society manipulating the mask the man wears today a bunny tomorrow who knows...
As well as full body I wanted to have a black suit on the bunny. I chose against this as I wanted the man to be seen as a white canvas that society paints on. I placed hands around the bunny to signify the hands of society manipulating the mask the man wears today a bunny tomorrow who knows...
Critique
I had a really fun time overall completing this piece. I had a lot of ideas in mind going into it and I feel that it payed off. However I will always find downs to any of my pieces. I feel that the piece is proportionate and has great contrast. Overall I think it is a very good piece with lots of very detailed meaning.
Reflection
I had a really fun time overall completing this piece. I had a lot of ideas in mind going into it and I feel that it payed off. However I will always find downs to any of my pieces. In the end I felt that I was lacking in the detail of some of the individuals animal masks some being better then others. I guess all that I would have liked to be more consistent. I feel that the piece is proportionate and has great contrast.
Connection To ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and it's effect upon your artwork?
Both my piece and the work of Jacob Riis were meant to make others aware to invoke feeling. Jacob created the collection How the Other Half Lives for a reason and in that I feel I made this piece with the intention to reach people widely.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The research is from art history sophomore year only went so far into these photographers. So upon further research I was able to learn more about how and why he began to do what he did.The way he did it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas,culture,etc. While you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that many people especially today take things for granted and sort of sweep the problems we face under the rug. So I feel that instilling realization and awareness is important for artists of any generation.
What is the central idea and theme around your inspirational research?
I researched many photographers and I think that both Eugéne and Jacob really stood out to me as far as what I wanted to accomplish with this piece. I intended to use Hispanic photographers like Enrique Metinides who photographed the real true horrors of crime during his time but I felt that I did not want my piece to come off as dark.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that anyone can make a difference through creating something that they feel passionate towards and that with enough will power it can make a difference.
Both my piece and the work of Jacob Riis were meant to make others aware to invoke feeling. Jacob created the collection How the Other Half Lives for a reason and in that I feel I made this piece with the intention to reach people widely.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The research is from art history sophomore year only went so far into these photographers. So upon further research I was able to learn more about how and why he began to do what he did.The way he did it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas,culture,etc. While you researched your inspiration?
I have learned that many people especially today take things for granted and sort of sweep the problems we face under the rug. So I feel that instilling realization and awareness is important for artists of any generation.
What is the central idea and theme around your inspirational research?
I researched many photographers and I think that both Eugéne and Jacob really stood out to me as far as what I wanted to accomplish with this piece. I intended to use Hispanic photographers like Enrique Metinides who photographed the real true horrors of crime during his time but I felt that I did not want my piece to come off as dark.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that anyone can make a difference through creating something that they feel passionate towards and that with enough will power it can make a difference.