Andy Warhol, born 6th August 1928, was an American artist and a leading figure, a beacon, in the Pop Art movement and was one of the most influential artists of his generation with his influence still felt today. He was known to have a nervous disorder as a child and spent a lot of time at home where he would listen to the radio and collect pictures of movie stars. This exposure to the media is said to have caused him to obsess over pop culture and celebrity which dominates his work and process. In 1945 Warhol began his training in Pictorial Design at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh and shortly after he graduated in 1949, he moved to the city of New York to become a commercial Illustrator. He had success throughout the 1950’s working for well-known magazines such as Vogue and the New Yorker as well advertisement displays for local businesses.
The 1960’s was the most prolific period of Warhol’s life. In 1960 he moved out of his shared family apartment into a townhouse on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan which gave him the opportunity to have space to work. His work began to incorporate advertisements and comic strips. This was the forming of early examples of Pop Art. His work became more expressive and painterly with clearly recognisable brushstrokes and loose influences of Abstract Expressionism.
Warhol continued with his theme of advertisement and comic strips throughout the early 1960’s focusing on illustrated imagery mainly from printed media and graphic design. In 1964, Warhol rented an old fire station using this additional new space to further his work at a scale he could not achieve before. For his large scale canvases he would project his work onto the walls and freehand trace the images using paint directly onto a canvas resulting in a continuation of his painterly style. By 1964 works such as ‘Brillo Box’ would be a counterpoint to this style and to abstract expressionism by almost stripping away brush strokes completely.
Throughout 1961 and 1962 Warhol’s work became increasingly commercialised using mass production techniques such as silk screen printing to quickly replicate his drawings of mundane household brands, such as the famous ‘Campbell’s Soup Cans’ series (1962). Andy Warhol’s work became controversial at the time as it was questioning the very definition of what is art.
When we were first given the exam task I first started to look at and experiment with the idea of geometric landscape. However I have already looked at this type of work and I didnt feel that it was challenging me enough for what is going to be my last project, so I abandoned that idea. However I am now looking at photographing each element. Water, Earth, Fire and Air. When looking at all of the images that I had for the element of Air, I found that they were all very similar to each and became very repeat even though there was differentiation in the colours and the type of image of the sky. So I thought to bring the project full circle I could experiments with these images and use the techniques I learnt when looking at geometric landscapes. I think that the outcomes that I have produced look really good but I think that the overall composition of the image looks best when the two images used are similar in colours and cloud types.
I want to talk to my models and other women about their opinions on perfection and beauty. I want to ask a large variety of question on the topic so I can get an idea of what real people think about the ideals pressured onto them and how the beauty and fashion industries effects this. I want to talk to a variety of people of different ages and backgrounds to get a varied response which represents different people views. I hope to use the information o find to develop my work with a better understanding of the audience and issue I want to comment on. I have though about using the results by incorporating them into the images of my final piece.
Define the concept of Beauty in your own words
What is an idealistic view of beauty you feel is promoted my modern media?
How has the internet and social Media effected how you view yourself in terms of beauty?
What is perfection to you?
Is perfection reachable and what does it look like?
What is your biggest insecurity?
Who do you think is the is perfect in the way they look? Why?
Has the way you look ever effected your confidence or stopped you from doing anything?
Have you ever judged someone on the way they look or dress? Why might it effect your view of them?
What do you think about having surgery, taking medication or using cosmetics to improve your looks?
Give an example of something you think is ugly, why?
I want to keep the results very anonymous because people feel a lot more comfortable talking about personal issues when this is the case. This means I am more likely to get honest answers that I can use alongside my work.
Mine and Rinok’s work is very similar in regards to the photographic process however when we edit our images this is where the differences is. In Rinkos image she has increased the levels of cyan in the colour balance which has made the image look more appealing and inviting for the audience. In the image the central focus in a circular formation of water, this is a running theme in Rinkos book ‘illuminance’. In the book there are recurring patterns, shapes and motifs that help to give the book meaning and structure, as at a first look the book is a group of image that have no connection to each other. In Rinkos image the only two colours that are featured are whites and blues which she would have done on purpose and enhanced this look when in the editing stage. However in my image there is slightly more of a colour range, in my image the water is not as clear and has a slight green colour in it as the water isn’t that clean. Also as I took this image during ‘golden hour’ the image has a slight yellow tint to this, also due to this fact areas of shadows have been created, which is absent in Rinkos image. This shows to me is that she is very thoughtful about every image and every small detail that is in the frame. I think that Rinko would have taken this image on a day when the weather was overcast as in the image there is no sun reflection that can be seen.
For my first shoot I decided to take a double decker bus on the route that goes to the airport and back into town, my idea was that with a double decker I could manage to get some perspectives of things that you can’t get on a normal bus, the height that you are sat on the double decker creates a perspective that you are an onlooker sort of spying on the people around you, rather than a member of the crowd. Below are 20 of what I think are my most successful images from the shoot unedited. On the day that I did this shoot it was raining and therefor it was difficult to achieve a completely clear image out of the bus window, but I do like the effect that the blurry windows and water droplets give to some of the images. For my next shoot though I will try and take into consideration the weather conditions when I do the shoot so that I can get a variety of images with different lighting to create different atmospheres.
So far I believe this shoot is the most successful shoot I have created. It shows a picture of macro high definition details within the smallest elements, it shows life, a sense of birth and reflection in the waters reflection and rippled movement, and lastly creates a sophistication within the editing process, showing a higherachy of religious value. This starting focus of these core elements and animals to show innocence, relates to the certain of the world, and too connotes a disposition of the elements coming together to form one. Too this shoot has so much connection within the photographers methods, which allows myself to know I am along the right lines and can continue with this methodology of work.
EDITING PROCESS
The editing process for this shoot was similar to my previously experimentation with inverting silver and black, however this time I wanted to over accentuate this, by allowing the colour to be more abstract to their original tonal shades. I want to accentuate the line and reflection within this shoot, showing the smallest details to create patterns and illusion of birth and life within my work.
This above is my favourite image. I believe this is so successful due to the inverted colours, creating this unique central highlight in the middle of the composition, attracting the eye. Then this calm and beautiful rhythmic of the waters movement slowly leads the eye outward, showing a framing by the small delicate leaf branches caving over the image. Too the narrative of young life, from this duckling shows the reincarnation of brith, and too the circular motion links with many of the conceptual images the photographer themselves took.
After doing the shoot down at Queens Valley which wasn’t that successful I waited until the weather was good and went out at the first chance that I had. For this shoot I went down to Val de la Mare. The inspiration for this shoot was Rinko Kawauchi who has become a become inspiration for the whole of the project. In Rinkos images she focuses on the small things that we would normally pass by in everyday life if we didnt take the time to stop and appreciate the things that are around us.
Overall I think that the shoot was very successful and I have produced many images that I am really happy with. I think that in this shoot I have really captured Rinko’s ideas of ‘finding beauty in the everyday’. As many of these images have a sense of spiritually to them, which is something that I want to achieve in this project.
As part of my project I want to look into the way celebrities and influential people within the modern media are setting unrealistic expectations in terms of beauty. I hope to use the information I find in my project to construct my own photos which subvert and challenge these ideals. In relation to the title variation and similarity I hope to show the limitations of modern beauty standards and how they are being compressed and viewed from a single perspective.
Photos of celebrities and models have been manipulated to look perfect for years fooling impressionable audiences into thinking it is real and untouched. Since the introduction of the internet and social media this issue has only got worse, now not only magazines are editing photos, everyone has the power to improve their appearance at the tap of a button using various apps. Plastic surgery has also grown in popularity with anyone who can afford it making changes to their body. From fat distribution, and hair transplants to boob jobs and lip fillers many people are fixing their personal insecurities. Editing, makeup and surgery has become the norm and it is starting to means people are believing these unrealistic and unreachable expectations and wanting to reach them. Some people are open about the changes they make to their appearance and support the idea of body confidence whether it is natural of not. I want to look at some of the most influential celebrities on the internet and in popular culture as see what messages they are portraying to audiences about body image.
The Kardatian/ Jenner family are widely known for their ‘beautiful’ looks and have made careers from it. With accentuated hourglass figures, golden tanned skin and an endless wardrobe many people look up to them as inspiration. They have millions of followers each and dominate the media meaning the have a large influence of audiences. various members of the family have had cosmetic surgeries and undergo extensive treatments to maintain their looks. With their whole life dedicated to looking ‘perfect’ many people have criticised them for using their platforms and large influence for narcissistic content. Kylie Jenner, known now as the youngest self made billionaire has built her brand ‘Kylie Cosmetics’ by cleverly marketing and selling beauty products online. In the past she was known for her large lips which she claimed for years were natural and just over lined however she eventually admitted to having fillers. During this time a trend went viral where people used a small cup over their lips and sucked to create a vacuum in hope to achieve a similar look to Kylie’s lips, this was a very dangerous activity which could leave permanent bruises to the area and shows how easily audiences can be influenced.
Other members of the family such as Kris (the mum) and Khloe have recently advertised a product called ‘flattummyco’ it is a meal replacement shake which claims to help users loose weight. Product including, hair treatment gummys’, various skin serums and many more a promoted by influencers online daily. For them it is a job, they get payed per post and for the companies this is a highly effective marketing strategy which gets their product into the public eye. These influencers are trusted by their audiences who therefore trust the brands being advertised even when on many occasions the influencers have never used the products.
fashion retailers have also been criticised for encouraging unrealistic beauty standard and portraying the ideal look in such a specific way. Victoria Secret a womenswear and beauty product marketer has an annual catwalk show which girls all over the world aspire so walk in. The brand has a very specific look, displaying models with long flowing hair, perfect skin and very slim figures. images from the show are used as marketing material for the brand and are published in magazine, billboards, stores and online. The so called ‘Victoria Secret Angels’ are an aspirational target for many young girls despite it being and unreachable and fantasy goal they are chasing.
Alexis Ren is a model who found fame on Instagram ultimately due to her looks and ‘perfect beach body’. She has recently been criticised for promoting unrealistic body expectations even after suffering with an eating disorder herself. She admitted to suffering from food guilt and over exercising yet is still a role model for many ‘fans’.
It is now common for people edit their photos to change their appearance, from slimming waistlines to whitening teeth but it is important to remember that what we see on the internet in only a depiction of reality which rarely resembles real life. I want play with this concept and exaggerate it with my photography and editing, the idea, to make people look at fashion and beauty from a clearer perspective.
This link shows a few example of celebrities in the public eye who have savourily edited their photos, I wish to use this as inspiration for my own work.
I want to look at the work of modern artists who are questioning beauty ideals and reality in a new digital age. In a world where everything can be edited from looks to lifestyle we no longer know what is real. One digital artist (unknown) has created a fictional character called Lil Miquela who has become well known (famous) on the internet. She claims to be an Instagram model and music artist however does not exist in reality. Her Instagram page displays her living an ideal life going to the beach, visiting her favourite art galleries, and hang out with other influencers (real and simulated). She is a form of artificial intelligence created my a under the radar company ‘Brud” who kept their intentions and reasons for creating the character quiet, they say she is an Artificial Consciousness in many ways a virtual robot. Many people seen the character as a social experiment playing around with how the internet culture idealises people for their looks and virtual profile. I find the concept fascinating the way reality and fantasy are crossing and becoming one with these images combining photography with 3D digital design.
Jean Baudrillard was a cultural theorist who talked about how in postmodern culture blurs the boundaries between the ‘real world and the world of the media, he says that their is no way to distinguish reality and simulation. We can no longer refer to anything as real or original due to the idea of simulacra and technology, being able to edit and adapt things digitally. This links back to the fictional character Lil Miquela who appears online in the same way as real life models and celebrities despite it being fully constructed.
Finally I want to talk about new alternative models who are changing the game and breaking conventions of beauty. Magazines such as I-D and Dazed and brands like Fenty are known for showing diversity in their publications, from age, gender, skin tone, weight and may more these progressive approaches help to spread more positive and universal beauty expectations. Models such as Paloma Elsesser, Jazzelle Zanaughtti and Winnie Harlow (bellow: left to right) are the first of a new era of models who will hopefully help to represent a more diverse group of people helping audiences to feel connected and represented in the media.
Perfection is a socially constructed ideal which varies massively depending on parts of the world and personal preference. I want to look into what perfection and beauty really is in order to develop my project and create images commenting on the negative effects of these ideas.
What I have learnt from looking into these definitions is that beauty is subjective and completely up to perception and personal opinion. Due to mass media peoples opinions have been channelled to view only specific things as beautiful. I want my work to tackle this and help people see this concept from a different point of view and realise that models seen in magazine and online are rarely an unaltered reflection of reality.
I also want to look into the varying beauty ideal around the world, different cultures have their own perspective on how people should look if they want to be considered beautiful. For example in parts of Asia pale skin and double eyelids are preferred and specific surgery, products and treatments are available to help people achieve this. On the other hand in Europe and America people spend time and money in sun beds or getting spray tans to appear to have more golden tropical skin tones. Maori tribes from New Zeland get traditional tattoos to display their status and beauty however in Dubai tattoo must be covered and tourists have in the past been banned from the country for having offensive tattoos on display.
Beauty ideals are socially constructed from physical attractiveness and in the past has been seen as one of women’s most important assets. Throughout history beauty ideal have also changed and developed, during the Edwardian period it was though that pale skin was beautiful this was due to how it showed that someone lived a life of luxury inside being served for rather than working on the land and becoming tanned. over the years as industries changed and people started woking indoors tanning started to become popular as it showed a person have a life of leisure, lying on beaches and enjoying life. Industries and brands tend to exploit and encourage beauty ideals by creating products which can help you achieve the desired look and displaying the supposed results on a ‘perfect’ model.
The aim for this shoot was to photograph the sunset and the beach during ‘golden hour’. For the shoot I went to St Ouen’s beach because on this side of the island it is flat and has the perfect view of when the sun is setting and you are able to see the perfect sunset. I got down to the beach a little while before the sun had even begun to set so I went and explored the beach and some of the rock pools near Corbiere Lighthouse to kill some time. A my project is exploring my connection to Jersey and trying to look at the island in a way of beauty. When I was young I always used to come down to Corbiere with my family and try to go fishing in the rock pools there. I was always fascinated with the habitats that had been created in the smalls cracks of rocks . So I thought that by going back here I would be able to look at the place with a sense of nostalgia and would try to communicate this in my images.
To edit these images I used photoshop, I found that mainly all of the images only needed minimal editing because the colours were very vibrant and colourful already. Throughout the whole of this project I have been looking at small details of everyday landscapes and things that we would normally pass by everyday. I have found that I haven’t needed to do much editing in comparison to other projects that I have done. Because when doing those projects I was less thoughtful about what I was photographing and was trying to capture as many images as possible. Which has shown me that if you really take time and focus when out on a shoot, you can save a lot of time in the editing process.
This was the last image that I took on the shoot and has is actually my favorite. The composition of he image I think is really good, as the top half has very neutral colours, blue, pale orange and and beige in the middle. Which is then contrasted with the vibrancy of the sun which is almost red. The sun has clouds covering it which I think has created a misty effect over the bottom half of the image which I really like.
