Second Manipulation Photoshoot Plan and research

After my last shoot, I thought it would be interesting to continue the similar theme yet explore how bunkers are used in modern day. In the previous photo shoot, i explored the contrast between the soldiers in action in WW2 and the bunkers as they are presented today. This gave a timeline of about 70 years of history which is effective in displaying how the world changes and how we learn from these political issues.

In the previous shoot i used some bunkers as the main significance and focal point and for this shoot i intend to do the same. However the story that will be portrayed in this shoot is how these historically significant pieces of architecture are being vandalized by graffiti. I will still use a photo manipulation method by turning some of my photos into graffiti and impose them onto the bunker. An artist which has further developed my ideas and stemmed my thinking into creating this shoot is Banksy.

Banksy

Banksy is an anonymous England based graffiti artist, political activist and film director of unverified identity. His satirical street art combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. Banksy displays his art on publicly visible surfaces such as walls and self built physical prop pieces. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world. Banksy’s work grew out of the Birstol underground scene, which involved collaborations between artists and musicians.

Banksy’s name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. In a 2003 interview with Simon Hattenstone of The Guardian, Banksy is described as “white, 28, scruffy casual – jeans, T-shirt, a silver tooth, silver chain and silver earring. He began as an artist at the age of 14, was expelled from school, and served time in prison for petty crime. According to Hattenstone, “anonymity is vital to him because graffiti is illegal”. 

Analysis

Banksy’s work portrays strong messages to a wide range of different people. He is not only seen as an artist but as a political spokesman against capitalism, war, theism, totalitarianism and fascism. This piece of artwork clearly resembles his strong views on war and that the innocent younger generation are suffering even though they are not inflicting the war. This piece of work is hard hitting and makes the viewer think about other parts of the world that are suffering. I think Banksy intends to bring a realization to people to make them think how lucky they are and that they could help make a difference to those unfortunate individuals across the sea. Although this is not photography, the artistic approach includes political ideas which i  will take inspiration from to portray in my work.

Photoshoot Plan

Concept– To photograph a variety of portrait pictures that can be turned into graffiti and placed onto a series of bunkers images that I have also taken. In addition, try and create a political message similar to Banksy and Alice Wielinga’s work and use a manipulation method for the final outcome.

Genre/Artist – Inspired by Alice Wielinga’s North Korea work that has been manipulated and further inspiration from Banksy’s graffiti work with political engagement.

Location – The main locations will be coastal areas where the majority of the bunkers are located. The portrait shots i intend to capture will be scattered across a variety of locations. In addition to using Bunkers, i will try and explore other areas to create other political messages.

Lighting – I will use natural lighting at different times of the day to create a realistic mood similar to the photographed work that Banksy creates.