Mixed Media
¨Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see¨
-Rene Magritte
-Rene Magritte
C’nest pas Toi
60.9x91.44cm
Permanent Marker on Mirror
This piece was originally made with the inspiration of Rene Magritte's "The Treachery of Images". It uses the same concept of directly telling a viewer that what they are looking at, is not the truth. This conveys to the viewer that the person that they are seeing is not really who they are. The viewer is forced to consider an alternate reality, or simply accept that their reflection is not them.
60.9x91.44cm
Permanent Marker on Mirror
This piece was originally made with the inspiration of Rene Magritte's "The Treachery of Images". It uses the same concept of directly telling a viewer that what they are looking at, is not the truth. This conveys to the viewer that the person that they are seeing is not really who they are. The viewer is forced to consider an alternate reality, or simply accept that their reflection is not them.
Group Critique & Original Idea
Through the critique my peers were very supported of my ideas. I spent most of the time allotted trying to get help brainstorming possibilities for what I could do. I've decided I want to do a piece using voyeurism. I think that this topic and concept is interesting, and there's lots of ways to go with it. It's been hard trying to find a direct historical inspiration that will show obvious influence. I'm looking at creating another tryptic piece, using three panels to convey a story/idea. All panels will be wooden, and contain different elements in a mixed media piece. The first panel is going to be a photograph of two pairs of feet in a bathroom stall. The second panel is going to be a greeting card. My group helped me decide this would be the best way for a viewer to question what's happening in the piece. The third panel is going to be an assemblage. My group helped me to think of ideas of what could be put on this board. My favorite idea thus far is ripping out diary pages and attaching them to the board. There's other things I could use like lingerie, but My group felt that was a bit too obvious. I still am looking for ideas and direct artist ties that can be related to the project. My group really enjoyed the concept that I was going for. It's definitely distinguished from all the other art projects we have done. The piece has become something more of a story that makes people wonder what the context is. My group & I agree that this pieces size could vary greatly, and I'm still debating how big it should be. It depends on the quantity of items I can find access to. Using Rene Magritte's The Treachery of Images as inspiration, i'd like to create a panel full of diary entries. I'd then like to write (in French) "This is not a diary". This adds to the concept of voyeurism because it makes the viewer want to read the pages more, just so that they can say that it is. I also am going to use Arthur Fellig's image Audience in the Palace Theater. This will be inspiration for the bathroom photos I plan to take.
Historical Investigation
Rene Magritte was a surrealist artist who believed in creating images that revealed the subconscious in real life. The surrealist artists believed that the conscious mind was trained to repress all of the imagination and creativity of an individual. Surrealists would continue to create pieces related to exposure to everyday life. These would be able to reveal a hidden truth, unlike prior movements to Surrealism. Surrealism aimed to break away from classic style images, since they believed to not be a true expression of the mind.
This piece creates a paradox, making the viewer question what reality truly is. The image that is painted in the piece is a pipe. Although it is a pipe definitely an image of a pipe, it’s nothing more than an image. Therefore it can be said that the painting is in fact, not a pipe. This concept of what is truly real versus what we perceive to be real is seen throughout many other of Magritte's works. Another example of this is “The False Mirror”. In this Magritte piece, an iris is painted with a blue sky. This disturbs the viewer since this is not where the sky belongs. In the eyes of a surrealist, this piece reveals a dream-like state. Whether the sky is simply being reflected into the eye or is actually the eye itself, shows the subconscious. IT shows how the mind wanders, and is questioning if is this eye is truly just seeing the skies
Magritte aimed to make the viewer of the work question what it was that they were truly looking at. Even though Magritte acknowledged that there was no certain way of knowing what it truly was. There’s no certainty to his works, other than the fact that the meaning remains uncertain. By creating works that are dream-like and abstract, one has to assume the meaning for them self. This helps translate into my piece because I wanted to create a mixed media piece which would convey a deep meaning. Surrealism is helpful in creating this piece because it helps to create a concept which will question reality. The best way for me to do this was a mirror. By using a mirror I can force a viewer to see themselves in another light.
This piece creates a paradox, making the viewer question what reality truly is. The image that is painted in the piece is a pipe. Although it is a pipe definitely an image of a pipe, it’s nothing more than an image. Therefore it can be said that the painting is in fact, not a pipe. This concept of what is truly real versus what we perceive to be real is seen throughout many other of Magritte's works. Another example of this is “The False Mirror”. In this Magritte piece, an iris is painted with a blue sky. This disturbs the viewer since this is not where the sky belongs. In the eyes of a surrealist, this piece reveals a dream-like state. Whether the sky is simply being reflected into the eye or is actually the eye itself, shows the subconscious. IT shows how the mind wanders, and is questioning if is this eye is truly just seeing the skies
Magritte aimed to make the viewer of the work question what it was that they were truly looking at. Even though Magritte acknowledged that there was no certain way of knowing what it truly was. There’s no certainty to his works, other than the fact that the meaning remains uncertain. By creating works that are dream-like and abstract, one has to assume the meaning for them self. This helps translate into my piece because I wanted to create a mixed media piece which would convey a deep meaning. Surrealism is helpful in creating this piece because it helps to create a concept which will question reality. The best way for me to do this was a mirror. By using a mirror I can force a viewer to see themselves in another light.
Planning & Sketching
I'd originally wanted to create a piece that would use a bathroom stall. I'd originally thought of creating a door, but this conveyed no deeper meaning and did not fit the criteria of this project. Next I planned on where and how I would be writing on the mirror. There was a lot more practice with on the mirror as I was experimenting.
Experimentation
Before creating the final piece I experimented many times with a different mirror, and an EXPO dry erase marker. I practiced with different ways of writing, as well as the centering. I used the most simplistic font to be easily legible as well as similar to "The Treachery of Images." I also decided on black to use as the final color to create a clear message. I used Mod Podge clear acrylic sealer to seal the marker. I ended up strongly disliking this result. You were no longer able to see yourself. This made your image just a blurred and unclear figure. Although it would still go under the idea that this image your seeing is not you, but I thought it over complicated the piece. In "The Treachery of Images." The image is nothing more than a pipe, therefore the piece should be nothing more than just a mirror. I also experimented with the angle which I was photographing, and who was in the photo.
Process
To create the final piece I began by getting another mirror, and cleaning it off. Next I practice writing on paper as well as the mirror before finally tracing it with the sharpie oil based marker. I went over the writing several times to ensure that the writing would be solid and easily read.
Reflection & Analysis
This piece is very pleasing to me. The final product is simple but represents a very clear idea. This piece is directly based inspiration from "The Treachery of Images." The use of French in the piece helps to see the clear connection as well as the formal address to the viewer. The idea of inanimate objects being able to break a forth wall helps the viewer to consider what they believe to be reality. Ultimately my piece conveys the idea that simply seeing your reflection does not show who you are. It makes someone see that all a mirror is and can be, is just a reflection. It can not truly demonstrate what a person looks like to another, or who they are inside. The deep meaning of my piece is a distinct connection to the surrealist art movement.
The idea that what we're told is really versus what we must decide is real is prevalent. The deep meaning of this piece is pleasing to me, and it's very clear what is happening. With that, it's also not too clear as to the meaning. Simply walking by or being attracted to your reflection when seeing this is not enough. However using a mirror appeals to the people enough that it makes them want to understand what is happening. The physical appearance of the piece is also flattering. The words are legibly written and if one knows french, they will be able to read and interpret this piece. It is slightly harder to understand for those who do not know any french. The original piece, "The Treachery of Images." has a cognate in it, making it easier for people to understand. There's not any cognates in this piece so it's more dependent on the viewer to figure out what it is saying. Other than that, I am happy with how my piece has turned out.
The idea that what we're told is really versus what we must decide is real is prevalent. The deep meaning of this piece is pleasing to me, and it's very clear what is happening. With that, it's also not too clear as to the meaning. Simply walking by or being attracted to your reflection when seeing this is not enough. However using a mirror appeals to the people enough that it makes them want to understand what is happening. The physical appearance of the piece is also flattering. The words are legibly written and if one knows french, they will be able to read and interpret this piece. It is slightly harder to understand for those who do not know any french. The original piece, "The Treachery of Images." has a cognate in it, making it easier for people to understand. There's not any cognates in this piece so it's more dependent on the viewer to figure out what it is saying. Other than that, I am happy with how my piece has turned out.
ACT Connection
1. "The Treachery of Images." is directly related to my piece because of the clear use of the phrase "c'nest pas..." (This is not), and combining it with something that seems to be clearly obvious. What one believes to be true is proven false, giving there no sense of certainty, which is what Magritte knew to be true about his works.
2. Magritte's approach when creating his works was trying to depict the subconscious mind, and what is truly happening when it's mixed with reality. It is his belief that people are not truly understanding it is what they are seeing, because as a society, we've been trained to believe otherwise.
3. While researching I have concluded that one's perception of reality is completely different from another. This can be proven by what the unconscious mind expresses, which is unique to every individual.
4. The central theme around my research was finding an inspiration that would convey the idea that simply seeing something, does not make it true. Something as simply and common as a mirror does not show the truth.
5. My research led me to conclude that there is no true reality. Surrealists in particular were able to unlock this concept of dreams may be able to show more truth than what the conscious mind has to say.
2. Magritte's approach when creating his works was trying to depict the subconscious mind, and what is truly happening when it's mixed with reality. It is his belief that people are not truly understanding it is what they are seeing, because as a society, we've been trained to believe otherwise.
3. While researching I have concluded that one's perception of reality is completely different from another. This can be proven by what the unconscious mind expresses, which is unique to every individual.
4. The central theme around my research was finding an inspiration that would convey the idea that simply seeing something, does not make it true. Something as simply and common as a mirror does not show the truth.
5. My research led me to conclude that there is no true reality. Surrealists in particular were able to unlock this concept of dreams may be able to show more truth than what the conscious mind has to say.