Earthworks

We set out create an image of a figure who looked very natural, was bound, and appeared to be in distress. This figure was to represent mother nature bound and dragged down by progress and urbanization. The idea of mother nature being the subject of the photo was influenced by the Native American past of the site where we shot. By the end of shooting our vision had morphed a into something slightly different but the idea and representation remained the same. We had intended to process the image to make the figure bound by vines or branches but after shooting the image that we got came out with our mother nature looking beat down and oppressed without much image processing. I think this was effective because the image is more raw and the emotion is more authentic.

Our historical reference is Donatello's statue of Mary Magdelene is the wilderness. We took inspiration from this piece when considering how we wanted to portray our mother nature. Donatello's Mary Magdelene is disheveled and clothed in hair. She appears grimy and a bit crazed. Drawing on these elements we made our figure disheveled by messing up her hair, and covering her with dirt and mud. She is dressed in a garment made of leaves because she in a way is the personification of nature.

We worked in group of four and each member served a different role. Despina was the model for the photograph. I created the garment. Glori shot the pictures. Leanna helped shoot and wrote up our earthwork proposal. We all worked to contribute ideas, feedback, and developed the concept together.

Final Movie

I am very pleased with the final result of our film. We were able to be minimalistic but to still convey the story clearly enough. The lighting and atmosphere worked with the mood we were trying to convey. We could have made the part set in the underworld more fiery which would have helped both differentiate it from the other scenes and create a better mood for the intended emotion. Obviously we are not professional actresses but I feel that considering our capacities in that area we did a good job.

I enjoyed working with this group and we were able to distribute the work evenly. Glori did all of the filming, Despina, Leanna, and I each had an acting role in the movie and when we were not on camera we operating lights or playing the piano for background music.

Mask

The focal point of the picture is the mask even though it is set further back in the depth of the photo. The figure, though the subject, is off to the side of the and the face of the subject is completely unrecognizable. The figure is holding the mask gingerly and examining it. The values around the edges of the picture are burned while the values in the center of the shot are much lighter. The highlights on the figure's hair reference the highlights in the backdrop. The position in which the figure in the photo is holding the mask forms a triangle. This draws the eyes from the figure to the mask.

In this particular photo the mask is a representation of identity. The figure has taken the mask off of her face and is gazing at what she has been portraying to the world. She holds it with care. Why is the mask scared? Why is that the image she is trying to portray? There must be a story behind the mysteries. On another note the photo bears resemblance to the looking into a magic mirror.