"Machismo"
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Process:1. FINDING AN ARTISTIC INSPIRATION:
Before anything, I looked at my sketch book from Sophomore year and looked for an artist and art movement which I wanted to base my collage off of. When I saw posters of Henri Toulouse Lautrec, I knew that I wanted to do something based off of that. The way that he lays out his posters made me think that it would be easy to try the same layout for my collage with my photographs. 2. SKETCH YOUR IDEAS: 3. TAKE PICTURES:
4. BEGIN THE MANIPULATION:
When I started my digital manipulation I opened a new document with a size of 24" in width x 36" in height and a resolution of 300. First, I wanted to add the text, and the color fill for the background that way I knew where to paste my images.Then, I opened up my pictures and began to use the lasso tool which is used to select a specific part of a picture. First, I used the picture of myself to add on to the middle. After making the selection and before copying and pasting into the blank document, I made sure to refine all edges. Once I did that, i realized that it needed something else. I changed the gradient of the picture for experimenting, but then I realized that it was just too plain and I needed to add something else. Therefore, I multiplied the same picture to make three additional ones. However, I just wanted the silhouette to be present. Now the first picture was adjusted to another gradient that way the background images could also be present. To show the solidarity behind oneself. However, it just didn't seem like enough to me yet, so I added the picture of the wooden floor, as if I were to be stepping on it. Lastly, the top right corner needed to be filled since it needed balance, and that is why I added, "La Lucha Continua"(translates to, "The Continuing Struggle"), which also added more significance to the previous term, "Machismo" So, then the color of the text was manipulated with until I found the right shade of red. Once I did, I knew my piece was finished! |
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This collage was inspired by the posters, "Moulin Rouge" and "Jane Avril" by Henri de Toulouse Lautrec. My interpretation of this piece was to make a term known, and I believed that the best way to do so was to incorporate it into this poster-like art, which is great at getting the point across. The repetition of the words in the "Moulin Rouge" poster increases importance of meaning. Therefore, I used the same strategy to catch the viewers eye upon the term, "Machismo". Also, the colors of these posters are one main component that caught my eye, which I definitely wanted to incorporate. The red on the text, to add boldness, and the mustard yellow. Also, the floor that is present on the "Moulin Rouge" inspired the wooden floor on my piece. As well as how there is other things going on in the background, but there is still one focal point in the center, which in the case of my piece, it's me.
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Meaning of Piece:
This piece was originally going to be made to point out all stereotypes against me, a Mexican young woman. However, I thought that it would've been better and more powerful to try to make a piece that could point out the main source of the problem. That is the thought that men are, and should be treated with more respect than women. The thought that women don't have a good enough say in things. "Machismo", is a term which means exactly that, men are better than other women. Throughout my life I've heard family members including women say phrases that undermine women. "Boys don't cry" "Stop acting like a girl" "You're hitting like a girl". However, it has been generations of the same phrases being used that they don't stop. This is my way of "fighting" against it. In a pose similar to Rosie The Riveter, I wanted to show my possible strength. Also, to physically show the solidarity of the people that agree with me and stand behind me, I added the multiple silhouettes of the same picture. The reason as to why I did silhouettes is mainly because some people can't face the fact that they are against this. They're too afraid or too prideful, but they're still being recognized. The words on the right say "La Lucha Continua", which translates to "The Continuing Struggle". That being said, I wanted to incorporate this as a way to let everyone know that this is something that I've been fighting against for a while now, and will most likely continue to do so. This piece is done behind hatred of a specific part of my culture that I wish could be changed. I want to show the emotions that I feel when I hear, or experience this term. It just isn't right. If no one else does, I must do something about it.
Reflection:
I personally think that this project was really successful. I was able to incorporate most of my ideas, and feelings to it. When I look at it, I feel the effect that I wanted to leave off. I also feel like it does a good job on catching the people's attention on the right sections of the piece. I ended up going with my original ideas, and did a little trial and error until I ended up getting what I wanted. Throughout the whole process of using Photoshop, I would just play around with the tools to be able to get what I wanted. I guess one thing I would change is to actually get some help rather than having my pride take over, and letting myself do it alone. With the help of people, I know I can achieve great things. However, I won't feel that feeling you get when you do it all on your own. Overall, I had a good time completing this piece since it just hit so right at home. I always like a good piece of art which you can relate to .