TRUTH, FANTASY OR FICTION

Truth: The quality or state of being true. That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality. A fact or belief that is accepted as true. These were the dictionary definition when researching the word ‘truth’. These examples are good ways to define the word however I believe that this word can be interpreted in many other ways. Truth not only stands as an actual fact, but also stands as a representation of what we believe to be true. Our memories and opinions are very powerful and we all perceive things in different ways. Truth being one of them. Whether it be focusing on the truth of statistical facts or the truth we have heard or envisioned in our minds, both show the differentiation and associations we contemplate when representing the truth.

Image result for truth photographyImage result for truth photography

 

Fantasy: ‘The faculty or activity of imagining things, especially things that are impossible or improbable’. Imagination plays a huge part of representing fantasy. Using our imagination to create things that we could only dream of is an interesting way to explore this exam theme. Creating images that hold elements of a surreal yet authentic style could be visually aesthetic alongside representing a certain fantasy you would like to portray, whether it be a representation of re-occurring dreams/nightmares or a particular interesting (spiritual) figure.

Image result for fantasy photographyImage result for fantasy photography ideas

 

Fiction: Invention or fabrication as opposed to fact. Literature in the form of prose, especially short stories and novels, that describes imaginary events and people. This theme could be a representation of a particular fantasy story you could portray, perhaps even in a twisted and revealing way. Fiction also is a theme in which imagination plays a big part of and.making things/objects seem bigger and brighter (and almost surreal) could be an interesting factor when approaching this title.

 

 

 

 

 

When getting a brief overview of this years exam themes, there were a few things In the exam booklet that I highlighted in which interested me. A few key points included:

-subconscious urge

-true representation of objects

-inner vision

-cultures … Aborigional, Inca, Aztec, Polynesian

-life, death

-discovery, astronomy, astrology

-mirrors, reflective surfaces, lights

-synagogues, churches, mosques, cathedrals

A few ideas that were branched out from these initial ideas included this idea of crime photography. The fact that the first thing that happens when you get arrested is that you get a mug shot taken of you and you have to get physical copies of fingerprints, which is done in order to clearly identify the suspect could be an interesting topic to investigate. Also focusing on generalised mugshots (like the ones in passports) could be interesting to look at because they are plain and boring. Focusing on the fact that if you create an image and deconstruct/erase specific elements within that image, at what point does it not become valid? It is still an image of a person, features are still noticeable. But is there/where is the truth in misrepresentation.

Another interesting idea to look further into is social media. How we create this sort of alter-ego and this exaggerated avatar ( insinuating positive connotations) to make us more lovable and popular, and the fact that social media creates identities/identities that  are controlled by us, suggesting the fact that this person we’ve created may or may not be completely true.

Furthermore, a possible aspect that I find fascination is the concept of childhood memories. Focusing particularly on the truth meanings (specifically focusing on the comparison of memories within different age groups). An example would be how we fabricate things when we are younger. We go into a building and see big things and bold colours, however, we grow up to discover that the building isn’t actually that big (we can touch the roof with our fingers) and the colours were just in fact plain and simple. Conducting a representation of this could be quite interesting to undertake.

 

Ideas surrounding project title

First Ideas

My first initial ideas surround the two title themes ‘truth‘ and ‘fiction‘. I believe these two opposite topics can relate to many different things surrounding the list of ideas I have thought of. Initially, this beginning idea of ‘opposites’ allows me to use two different subject ideas which juxtapose one another, symbolising a difference between the two and therefore making my topics more interesting due to there becoming a  ‘two sided’ story.

Define  ‘Truth’: 

“A fact or belief that is accepted as true”

or

“That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.”

Define ‘Fiction’:

“Invention or fabrication as opposed to fact.”

or

“A belief or statement that is false, but that is often held to be true because it is expedient to do so.”

My Main Idea: The Concept of Love

I have decided to focus mainly on the titles ‘fiction‘ and ‘truth‘ to elaborate upon the idea of “Concept of Love”. This idea unfolds within two different segments: religion against science and how human beliefs are indifferent to that of ‘God’s natural creation’ and ‘scientific discoveries’. This idea can lead me to look into how religious ceremonies surrounding ‘love‘ (e.g. marriage, funerals, christenings, holy communions).  This idea also of love being a ‘concept’ allows the viewer to perceive ‘love’ as an application to anything rather than an emotion.

Define ‘Love’: 

“An intense feeling of deep affection.”

or

“A person or thing that one loves.”

Define ‘Religion’

“The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.”

or

“A pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.”

Define ‘Science’

“The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.”

How will this idea develop? Whats the aim to achieve in this project? 

I would like to aim to achieve this idea in a way where I promote the idea of love as a different perception towards every human. The idea and concept of love is so dissimilar to anything that it becomes almost an opposite within itself. I would like to touch upon the history and development of love in this day and age to question the ‘truth‘ and reliability of the subject against what can be seen as ‘fiction‘.

What references can I use for the ideas of this project? 

Scientific analysis,  documentation and Natural creation

The faithful renditions of natural life (fauna, flora, insects) in William Jones and Cath Hodsman’s paintings, for example, demonstrate meticulous observation and sensitivity. Leonardo da Vinci, Rondin and Michelangelo’s studies of human form also demonstrate these qualities of analysis and discovery. This sense of discovery is something I wish to explore within my study, how love is discovered and how scientists perceive the emotion in a biological way. Contemporary artists Danny Quirk and Gunther von Hagens continue to be driven by this fascination for human autonomy.

Culture and Religious Beliefs: 

Artsist in many other cultures such as Aboriginal, Inca, Aztec, Polynesian, and religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Catholicism, Muslim, etc,  seem to consciously resist trying to produce faithful likeness of their subjects. Their objectives often intend to depict spiritual qualities with a variety of belief (surrounding love especially), perhaps in a response to a fear that any accurate rendering of a living being may somehow capture its soul or spirit.

The Nature of Humans: 

Baudelaire suggested that artists must be truly faithful to their own nature. Artists have often been singular in pursuing their personal vision of the world. William Blake argued that he did not want to observe the human figure because that would “get in the way of his own inner vision of how people looked… I will not reason and compare: my business is to create.”

From these ideas I believe all three of these concepts show the idea of love through the following themes:

  • Human Rights (in religion arranged marriages and ceremonies destroy the ability of humans to gain rights over which person they will share their life with).  This is particularly prominent in females as their fathers usually pick their righteous husband for them.
  • Science against Religion (how beliefs contradict the essence of scientific discovery.

These ideas all contradict the truth and perception of ‘love‘.

 

A2 Photography Exam Planner

Examination dates: All Groups Tue 3rd – 6th May ~ 10 hrs controlled test over 2 days

The Theme: ‘TRUTH, FANTASY OR FICTION

Link to A2 Exam Paper 2016

Link to  PLANNER-for-A2-EXAMINATIONS-2016-Hautlieu

How to start 

Read the Exam Paper and Exam Planner thoroughly, especially pages 2-4 and page 7 which details specific starting points and approaches to the exam theme – make notes! Brainstorm your idea and research artists listed – look also at starting points in other disciplines e.g. Fine Art and Graphic Communication etc. Over H-term begin to gather further information, collect images, make a mood-board and mind-map, make plans and write a specification, start to take pictures and make a response to initial research.  You must show evidence of the above on your blog– complete at least 4-5 blog posts.

Preparatory Supporting Studies – 6 weeks of lessons: (Blog post)

Prior to the timed examination you must produce and submit preparatory supporting studies which show why and how the supervised and timed work takes the form it does. You must produce a number of blog posts 25-30 that charts the development of your final piece from conception to completion and must show evidence of:

  • Research and exploration of your ideas
  • Recorded your experiences and observations
  • Analysis and interpretation of things seen, imagined or remembered
  • Experimentation with materials, processes and techniques
  • Select, evaluate and develop ideas further through sustained investigation
  • Show connections between your work and that of other artists/ photographers
Each week you are required to make a photographic response (still-images and/or moving image) that relates to the research and work that you explored in that week. Sustained investigations means taking a lot of time and effort to produce the best you can possibly do – reviewing, modifying and refining your idea and taking more pictures to build up a strong body of work with a clear sense of purpose and direction

Timed Exam 12 hrs over two days: (Final Outcome)

This time is for you to fine tune and adjust your final photographs using creative tools in Lightroom/Photoshop and/or complete a final edit of your film or video in Premiere. Your final outcome(s) must be presented in a thoughtful, careful and professional manner demonstrating skills in presenting work in either window mounts, picture frames, foam-board, and/ or submit moving image and video based production and upload as Youtube clip to the blog.