Design Principles / Final Compilation
07/02/2024 - 20/03/2024 / Week 1 -Week 7
Iman binti Kamarudin / 0364014
Design Principles / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Iman binti Kamarudin / 0364014
Design Principles / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Final Compilation
Banksy
NAVIGATION
TASKS
INSTRUCTIONS
TASK 1
SDG: Goal 12, Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
To install sustainable practices regarding food waste, fossil fuels, tourism, consumption and production. The targets of this goal is to; halve global food waste at consumer and production levels, move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production and manage chemical waste.
Why this SDG?
I feel like especially in the more recent years, consumerism and overconsumption of products have been so prominent in our society. Whenever I see trends come and go and resurface and die, it just seems all so exhausting and frustrating. On social media, you see people waste food just to make a funny TikTok or skit and you find influencers trying to get you to buy the latest thing that can 'make your life so much better'. I would like to go into a future where all this waste is significantly reduced.
Fig 1.1 - "Christ with Shopping Bags" by Banksy (2004)
Christ with Shopping Bags
2004
50cm x 70cm
Screen Print on Paper
I chose this specific painting in relation to my selected SDG as, nowadays, a significant portion of society is seemingly obsessed with consumerism and buying the latest trendy products, whether they find them useful or not and regardless of whether they have the money to do so. The artwork of Jesus Christ being weighed down by numerous shopping bags, signifying a part of the sins he was crucified for, emulates the emotion of desperation to me. Furthermore, it breaks down the fourth wall by placing him in our current time and you understand that in this painting, Jesus isn’t in pain from being nailed down, but from the consumerist lifestyle that is now the norm. The design principles used in the artwork is; symmetrical balance, contrast and movement.
TASK 2
Fig 2.1 - "Christ with Shopping Bags" by Banksy (2004)
Banksy
Christ with Shopping Bags
2004
50cm x 70cm
Screen Print on Paper
Observation
This artwork is in a portrait orientation and has a full body figure visible in the middle of the canvas. At first glance, the figure is in a cross pose and seems to be floating. Additionally, he is holding shopping bags in his hands and there is a white 'halo' above his head. The whole artwork is in black and white except with a small touch of pink on the ribbons of the gifts. There is no use of lineart and all subjects are defined by strong shapes of light and shadow. Furthermore, there is a thick white border surrounding the painting. (102 words)
Analysis
The artwork makes use of symmetrical balance which gives it emotional impact as it creates a major focal point. There is also contrast in colour, where Banksy makes use of a pink to highlight and emphasise the gifts and shopping bags further and to draw the audience’s attention towards them. Furthermore, there are lines dripping down from the subject and the shopping bags. The downward movement does a great job at portraying weight and making the figure look as if it is being dragged down. (85 words)
Fig 2.2 - https://wunderkammern.net/artistswk/blek-le-rat/
Fig 2.3 - https://www.graffitistreet.com/store/dot-dot-dot-bumfire-ap-print/
Interpretation
This style reminds me of another street artist, Blek le Rat. According to Randal, M. (2014), he is the father of stencil graffiti and whom catapulted stencils from lettering and basic shapes to life-sized artworks. In Fig 2.2, you can see the resemblance of extreme light and shadow being used to define the subjects in black and white. This is common as well in Dot Dot Dot's work (Fig 2.3). All three artists are considered stencil graffiti artists who create reactionary work related to social issues.
Graffiti and street art is based on the idea of art meant to be shared and accessible by members of the public and is usually used as a form of expression for artists in response to social issues. Street art and graffiti are highly frowned upon and even illegal in some areas which, in a way, makes the art form so much more admirable. By being a street artist, you will always run the risk of your art being temporary and being caught by law enforcement. Stencil graffiti is useful in this scenario as it offers speed, consistency and readability. (186 words)
Total Words: 373 words
References:
Randal, M. 2014, October 6. "10 Stencil Artists Whose Clever Works You Should Know". Widewalls Magazine. https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/10-stencil-artists/blek-le-rat-1
Duncan, A. 2019, April 17. "Street and Graffiti Art Movement Overview and Analysis". The Art Story. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/street-art/
“A Brief History of Stencil Art”. 2016, 5 July. Open Walls. https://openwallsgallery.com/what-is-a-stencil/
TASK 3
Fig 3.1 - Final Task 3 Artwork 'Consume' JPEG
The idea behind this artwork is about excessive spending, not even for necessity but just for the sake of doing so. All the items pile up to cover the subject and symbolises how its consumed their personhood and that they now lack identity, succumbing to only being known as a consumer. There is a receipt trailing to the ground with the text 'sale' repeating over and over again, almost like a demand and a mantra. Even though you can't see how much the subject has spent or what they bought, you can clearly tell that they've overindulged themselves. The receipt is also a guide leading your eyes through all the things they’ve bought and eventually ending up at the hands of the subject, which are covered in blood. The meaning behind the subject's hands being covered in blood references the exploited workers in sweatshops whose blood, sweat and tears are exchanged for a large amount of products to be made. The entire artwork is in black and white with a red as an accent colour to be a reference to my original chosen artwork in Task 1 and 2. The rendering/shading is also very dramatic and intense as well to reference stencil graffiti art.
Design principles; contrast, emphasis, symmetrical balance, movement, repetition, symbols, harmony.
REFLECTION
What have I learnt in this module?
Through this module I've learnt that a lot of work and research goes into art. Even the smallest details can have some sort of meaning or effect. I've also learned that a lot of design principles sort of just naturally occur when you draw, if you've been doing it for a while. It was quite difficult trying to purposefully think about what design principle to use and where and how.
What did I enjoy the most/not enjoy the most?
The most enjoyable part of this module for me was actually getting to create my artwork, although it was a little difficult trying to come up with sketches and have it be translated physically as it was in my head. I have never attempted to try and draw in this style before so it was quite fun referencing how Banksy does it and how to make sure that each object could be read far away clearly. On the other hand, my least favourite part was probably the visual analysis as I wasn't confident in my ability to write my thoughts down in a way that could be understood and I struggled trying to reference sources and have it be related to the topic.
What have I learnt about myself through this module?
I've learnt that even though I went through a whole course on research methodology and wrote a whole case study, I still lack skill in writing and still struggle to enjoy it and I think I just need to stop dwelling on it and do my best.
What has changed and what has not in my learning journey?
I think that after this module I feel like I've been made more aware of design principles in art and specifically how I utilise them and I feel like I really enjoy a calmer working environment/structure. I'm not sure what hasn't changed in my journey, but probably mostly everything is the same.
What could be improved in this module?
I don't think I have any critiques for this module, I really enjoyed it (aside from the writing ahah) and even though the deadlines were a littleee close I never really felt super pressured or panicked.
.jpeg)
Comments
Post a Comment