Self Eval: Final Project

It's Over!!!! Now its time to say goodbye to all my concept friends ...lol
OK really the final project was a blast. I was very thankful that it was open, in critique of myself, I know that it was good, but it could have been excellent. I could have gone much further with the environment of the stage with creative lighting and scenery. Initially I wanted to paint panels with outlined silhouettes of images that represent of the different mediums of art that I have worked with, fashion, dance, poetry, performance art, illustration. You know the different faces of me as an artist. I also wanted to incorporate other people to create sporadic movement on the stage. Specifically, I wanted two snare drummers to "air drum" to the music during the piece where the drumming was more prominent in the music. I wanted a professional videographer to video it so it could be more like a video. I loved my costume it was exactly what I wanted, the only thing is the between my dance sneakers and the stage...it was very slippery. It was hard to get good traction on the floor. I should have dry mopped the stage before we filmed. As far as my performance it could have been much better. I was tired and I think it showed...I felt sloppy during some movements and I forgot a few key pieces of my choreography...I needed to practice it more...over and over and over and over so it could have been seamless. The ending was OK not quite sure at this moment what I could have added to conclude it better. Maybe prerecorded statement or line that intensified the end. I really hope that people got it...seemed like they liked it but I don't know what they were thinking about it. I went too late in the session ..my classmates attention spans were gone, so who knows! I want to rerecord this with all the added embellishments..I think this and the consumption performance could be a nice add on to my portfolio. I knew before the assignment was due what I wanted to do...I just didn't execute all of the pieces that needed to be coordinated. Thanks Mrs. Rothrock I really enjoyed this class...You are good teacher and Mommy. I actually liked the fact that you brought you children to class sometime. Anywhoo...have a great summer. i

Project Blog: Environmental Project

The beginning...I went from having some idea of my project, to having no idea. lol On my way to class that Wednesday morning (the day we were suppose to set up in the park) I had and "ah ha" moment, everything that I was partially seeing came together as one. And not to mention that on the way I passed 2 homes with cut logs in the grass and I was really attracted to them. After the last one, I said, "That is it! That is the missing element in my design...I have to turn around and ask these people if I can have these stumps." I asked and they encourage me to take them. So it worked out. The only problem now was that I had to cut them up and that delayed my process, not only did I have to miss the class set up, I then had to try several attempts at cutting the wood with something other than the right thing...a chain saw! Three days later it came together and I was able to cut them with a chain saw...what fun! (It was an experience that I think everyone should have.)lol ( I should have taken pics of hacking session.)

As the project developed...I wanted to feature the inner beauty of the tree and make it visible. I wanted to create the picture of a magical process of sections of the log coming off the stump and moving up the tree limb. IT'S ALIVE! There is life in that stump trying to reconnect with its original form, much like us...trying to reconnect with our original form of our innerspirit...our natural spirit and nature.

The web of raffia connecting to earth best represents this idea and it symbolizes the vast impact that trees have on the earth,(materials to build, make paper, create tools, cleaning suplies, keep the air clean and on and on. )Trees are one of our greatest resources...a great blessing.

It was very pleasing to get feed back from local passers by. People kept stop and asking what was I doing. They liked it, but what was it? I should have asked them to tell me what they saw. That would've been interesting, but I didn't, so oh well.

Like all things...my experience on the frindge of the woods came to an end. The park ranger asked me to take it down. I didn't get upset...he was nice about it. I could tell that he felt guilty for making me take it down, so he refrenced me to the nature preserve director so that I could possibly see if she would let me put it to good use in the nature preserve area as an art display. I really liked his peace offering. lol Now I hope that she will too! As the day progressed and evening came, I began to remember a poem that I wrote 9 years ago and it helped me process my expression in this project. Nine years ago when I wrote it I was sitting by a river on the campus of the university I was attending at that time. I retreated to that spot because it relaxed me and there were trees all around and that day I was stressing out about school and although it was nine years ago, it fit so well with my sentiment today in this work... so I will share with you....

Slown down, put things into perspective. The path is narrow but, it is only so long. Time is an allusion made of a web that we wrap ourselves in. Sometimes we perish...

You have the choice...Live Now! Now is the present, the past and the future.

So much to do, but to what avail?

Is it necessary? Am I caught in oblivion or a manifestation of my own chaos....

Chaos, inside ...out.

Just a being with meager chances to succeed. (I THINK NOT!)

Asleep maybe...If I am sleeping awake me from my subconcious mind.

If I am sleeping wake me...up.

My thoughts are so intense, they hurt my head.

My body tightens like the walls that give birth.

Relax...breathe..hmm...breathe.

Now I can feel God's presence around me...

Now I can allivate my self inflicted distress.

Release!

Peace.

Texts Notes - Skip Schulman

After reading his profile, I developed more respect for his artwork. I already liked the idea of it being completly natural and made from materials already present in the space, but the reading really helped me to understand how dedicated he is to "purity" of his work. Although he is not conventional in his contracting,planning or execution it is all for a reason. He really is an artist. I really enjoyed reading about his development of his relationship with his clients and his intended influence on their lives. Skip's work is really based on taking the opportunity to contribute something directly to the client's life to make it better in some way or open a window for them to live naturally with what is around them. It is refreshing to see someone take interest in reviving some part of ancient living and not make the idea so far reaching. It is inspiring to see him use the a very minimal amount of tools to make such intricate living spaces. I also was inspired by his diverse background in wildlife, landscaping, and architecture and his successful merger of those experiences that led development of his art type. He is truly unique. I found it interesting that he works by the day and that he and the client review and decided each day if they will continue the project...that is definitely not usual. I was also impressed in his attempt to wed his artwork to the values of his clients and their needs...he seems to be very concerned with the client's growth and development within his art work. He is like a fairy...oops (too girly)...brownie or something.

project notes

So far I have come up with about 4 ideas, but I think the best thing for me to do is go back out to the park walk through it again now with these concepts in mind. My eyes might feel different...lol.
Concept 1 was a small mud structure inspired by my trip to a organic farm where they built a mud house to store some of their crops throughout the year. Initally the project was going in that direction but just using the mud as a base structure and developing it into a small space for big enough for one person to fit in with an additon of planted floral embellishments.

Concept 2 was a series of "floating" floral panels that are connected to a few trees along the pathways. This would be a compelation of landscaping fencing and binding with natural cords or vines to secure limbs, pine straw, leaves or flowers. I wanted to to design these panels by cutting into the outer edges of the structure and arranging them in sequential order in a random pattern.

Concept 3
Digging an outline ( a big hole made to look like a particular shape) and planting grass or flowers into it so that as it grows it takes on a new dimension and the figure stands out from the natural space. This one would have to grow over time to reach its full aesthetic potential.

I am going to go and hang out in a landscaping/gardening section in Lowe's and further investigate my needs. I really want to do something that fits naturally into the space but stands out obviously as a piece of art work. Later I will post sketches of my hybrids...

Self Eval:Activism

Sorry this is a few minutes late. I keep getting my passwords confused and it always takes me to the process of trying to log on...set new password...or wait to they email me and then I remember. anyway, evaluation. I feel as though I could have been more instrumental in preparing the flow and attitude of the group. I should have suggested that we run through it a few times with extras (friends) just to get a feel for what we were doing and develope our condfience and group moral. I also have to confess that I held back some and I should not have done that. Some times you have to stick out like a soar thumb for a minute to get things going. The prep work went well...everything came off well...the blind folds...the black windows...and sound affects. We just needed practice and a physical walk through in the space to help us out. During the last half it probably showed on my face that some things could have been better, but I should not have let that come through to my teamates. I think we did an OK job overall. I still feel like we picked something a little over our heads and we should have done a little more due dilligence on our message and educating facts but, we learned. I asked Wallace what did she think of the performance and she said that having the class to participate in doing things and antimidating them was effective but, sitting them down to watch a movie segment and also asking them aloud about how did they feel wasn't the best way to execute our purpose. She suggested maybe we should have let them write a short response or pair in groups to discuss the experience. I agree now after rethinking the process and the next time we as a group or individuals choose to do something like this we will have measure to go by.

--Signing off,

Garlana

Self Eval: Identity Project

I am very happy with the way things turned out, but I think that my presentation could have been even better. The performance part with Matt was just one of those happenings where you happen to be in the right place at the right time. As we all sat in class I kept trying to decide when would I go for my turn, but something kept me feeling like I should wait...wait. And as I sat there I kept trying to think what angle did I want to come from with the audience and I was trying to zone out and remember a poem or line or a song that would break the ice for me to make the presentation more intimate. We got in the circle to participate in Matt's piece and before they got started all of a sudden I remembered this poem I love from years ago called Naked (by Gayle Danely) and the lines came back to me and then I realized, "Oh, this could work and mid way through their piece I realized this could work together, so I asked if I could jump in. It worked out and it was great, it reminded me of college when I used to do stuff like that all of the time with other performers and the energy just works out.
But...I think overall, it could have been better if it were completely planned out. I would have liked to incorporate music and a few more interactive elements. My overall wearable piece could have been better in construction and even more elaborate if I had made my mind up from the beginning. The entire time I kept going back and forth about keeping this and trashing that and I almost ran out of time. I prefer to be consistent and ahead of the game with my creative works. This time I will do a better job of executing the concept.

project notes: Identity

Identity project:
I was really excited about this project, I had all of these elaborate ideas of how I could combine dance,poetry into my wearable art piece. Initially I had 3 ideas. The first one was based an environmental tone, I wanted to create this mother earth art piece with several different removable layers and dramatizations. I went back to find inspiration from one of my favorite sitcoms, music videos and recordings of previous award show entertainment. I enjoy doing this because it gets mind working on surprise elements and features for costuming. Soon after my initial sketches then I decided to move to this wacky two sided costume that was based on the idea of mainstream beauty (plastic this, plastic that...fake boobs...fake eye color..fake nails, fake hair)and the consumption of cosmetics made with synthetic ingredients and how it affects the body, versus naturally enhanced beauty. And somehow I was going to introduce this beautiful natural beauty jumpsuit that played on just being you. After another set of drawings and a different performance outline, it came down to the jumpsuit and this fantastic nature hat. The hat was to be the centerpiece for the integration of all of those different elements. I knew that I needed a layer of performance to bring it all together but I didn't work out all of those details until the morning of the critique in class 20 seconds before my turn to present.