For our exam project we have been given the title ‘variation and similarity’, a binary opposite. This pair of words have directly opposite meanings making them a pair of binary opposites. I am going to explore the etymology of the words meaning the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. I will also show how i can explore these words within my works too.

Variation

Definition 1 – “a change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level, typically within certain limits”.

Definition 2 – “a different or distinct form or version of something”.

Synonyms 

• Variant
• Alternative
• Different
• Development
• Adaptation
• Alteration
• Modification

Etymology of the word

late Middle English (denoting variance or conflict): from Old French, or from Latin variatio, from the verb ‘variare’.

Similarity

Definition 1 – the state or fact of being similar.

Definition 2 – a similar feature or aspect.

Synonyms

• Resemblance
• Comparability
• Equivalence
• Parallel

Etymology of the word

‘Similar’ is a late 16th century word  from the French ‘similaire’ or medieval Latin ‘similaris’, from the Latin word ‘similis’ meaning ‘like’.

For the exam project we have been given the stimulus of ‘ Variation and Similarity’, which are two binary opposites. Which are two things that are the direct opposite of each other

Variation

1.a change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level, typically within certain limits.
“regional variations in house prices”

Synonyms: variant, form, alternative, alternative form, other form, different form, derived form, development, adaptation, alteration, modification, revision

Similarity

1. the state of being almost the same, or a particular way in which something is almost the same:
   “the similarity of symptoms makes them hard to diagnose”
2. a similar feature or aspect.
   “the similarities between people of different nationalities

Synonyms: resemblance, likeness, sameness, similar nature, similitude, comparability, correspondence, comparison, analogy, parallel, parallelism, equivalence; interchangeability, closeness, nearness, affinity

 

The theme  given for our exam, Variation and similarities has an instant link to several different movements and types of photography. When hearing this my instant reaction was to look at Typologies and also use pop art as an inspiration.

Definitions:

Variation-

1. A change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level, typically within certain limits.
2. A different or distinct form or version of something.

Similarity-

1. The state or fact of being similar.
2. a similar feature or aspect.

MIND MAP:

 

I was particularly interested in looking at incorporating Commercial advertisement into the theme to produce interesting images that would critique modern day advertisement. I was also keen to create images that have complete oppositional properties to another set of images. I thought using colour as a focus would be a good to compare images.

MOOD BOARDS:

An idea I looked at was Creating portrait photography for this theme as I have not explored portraiture as much and could create interesting images in this style. another idea could be reoccurring objects or buildings in landscape photography.

Work from the CCA Galleries – Behind the Lens

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The reason I chose to talk about Biffy Clyro and Rupert Truman’s work is because it has a similarity to typologies. The use of repetition in both artists’ work is what drew me to research and look more closely to them and their work. I was also drawn to Biffy Clyro’s work because of the way that he has displayed his work in a triptych, similarly to how I am hoping to display my work in a diptych.

Work from Somerset House – Pop Icons

I chose this piece of work by Alexander James Hamilton because of how unique it was in the room. The work was on the wall by itself and displayed in a Light box. This, I felt, meant that the work was viewed with focus only on this piece and the vibrancy of the art led the viewers eye to the butterfly like image.

Work from the Art Centre – Being Human

From the Artist:

‘TALK’ in British Sign Language

The hands can talk by themselves and can give powerful commands without physically speaking, which shows that even when you can’t speak you can explain yourself and communicate with others – that’s what I found so fascinating about the sybolism of the hands, they are used to speak in this silent sign language.

“Back at deaf school we were separated into classes where we would sign or speak …. in speaking class they didn’t let us sign … we were taught to try and speak …”

‘RESPECT’ in British Sign Language

Respect is so important; many people would assume that because being deaf is a ‘disability’ that they would look ‘different’ but most of the time, it is a hidden disability.

By learning sign language, even if it is a few words, we can communicate easier with the deaf heard. I made my pieces ‘larger-than-life’ to represent this.

“To look at a deaf person … same as a hearing … no different”.

My favourite piece of art from the gallery visits, was the drawings of the British Sign language and the hands because of how the artist has used the hands so literally and how it shows and represents such an important issue where the hands are a staple. I also felt that it was a clear representation to help show the struggles of a disability that cannot be seen and is therefore sometimes cast aside and not considered as important to someone who may be in a wheelchair and has a clear and visible disability. I liked the simplicity of the drawings and the use of minimalist materials and that it is halck and white. I feel like this has been done in order to show that the important message the art is showing is more understood through the simplicity.

Record an activity or routine that you do/ repeat on a daily basis, e.g. brushing teeth, putting on clothes, applying make-up, comb your hair, eating, feeding your dog, walk to school/work, sleeping, scree time on social media, talking, selfies.

For this assignment, I decided to record be logging into my laptop and onto the photography blog, because it is something that I do every day when I am at school or I am at home.