10 Grade 2010: Ella's Collage

Monday, October 18, 2010

Ella's Collage

Artist Statement: Because my own philosophical outtake on life is definitely a little scattered, this is reflected in my collage. Some of the images are simply ones that I find interesting and caught my eye. Many of the components do directly represent me though. In the center of my collage is a picture of my family. Family is very central in my life, in a lot of ways my family has shaped the way I look at the world and some of my opinions. The other central image of a face surrounded by butterflies represents the mind and the constant activity of our thoughts. Butterflies, to me, also represent freedom and liberation from struggle and mental mind blocks, I put butterflies throughout my collage as a sort of theme. In the top right corner of my collage there is an image-string of heavily made up, beautiful faces. It leads to a pair of self-portraits, one that I drew in the sixth grade and one that I drew when I was three. I think that the pictures from the magazine are just as inaccurate representation of what people truly look like then my crudely drawn portraits, and just as invented. The media portrays people in a way that when comparing yourself to these images, your flaws will always stand out. On the opposite side there is a column of hands leading up the side. I think hands are very interesting and its strange to notice how different everyone’s hands are. Hands are also a universal communication tool and a consistent way to observe your surroundings, even if your other senses are unable to. The ants symbolize the fact that we are ants, even smaller than ants, in comparison to the rest of the universe. And, just like ants, our species is really just as fragile and easily destroyed.

Personal Philosophy: Writing your personal philosophy is a big challenge, making into a concise and understandable paragraph is even more difficult. I don’t think that it is possible for a person, no matter what their age, to be able to define what their philosophy regarding life it. We can talk about what we believe and how it relates to our world, but the idea of our personal philosophy is something that seems completely unattainable to me. That said, here are some things that I agree with and think are true and valid: I have faith in the absolute importance and necessity of nature being an active part of everyone’s life. I believe that true spirituality and understanding of the “bigger picture” and our purpose here comes from things learned in the most natural of settings and without so many distractions of the beliefs of other, perhaps more intellectually inclined, people. Nothing should have to be overly complicated when it comes to what you truly believe. I think that nature completely represents that simplicity.

2 comments:

AnonymousOctober 20, 2010 at 2:10 PM
I like the bright colors that you use in the collage.
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Kate NOctober 25, 2010 at 9:35 AM
I like the butterflies in the center of your collage. They give it an almost 3D look, and draw your eye right in. It is also nice how you use common elements to unite areas of the collage.
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What you will be assessed on	Distinguished	Proficient	Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
Your self portrait Design/Composition Create a final black and white image that demonstrates an understanding of the aesthetics of Photography including editing.	Several of the elements in the photo used in the reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation. Uses of compositional rules are evident and appropriate to the theme. Objects are placed for best effect. Overall, it just feels right. .	One or two of the graphics or objects used reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display. Graphics are trimmed to an appropriate size and interesting shape and are arranged with some items in front and others behind. The canvas, however does not appear balanced. Uses of compositional rules are good and the composition is relatively balanced, but negative space could be utilized better to create a more cohesive feel.	One or two graphics or objects were made or customized by the student, but the ideas were typical rather than creative (.e.g, apply the emboss filter to a drawing in Photoshop). Graphics have been trimmed to an appropriate size and shape, but the arrangement of items is not very attractive. It appears there was not a lot of planning of the item placementThe portrait seems to have a little too much background or seems a little too busy. Balance has not been achieved.	The student did not make or customize any of the items in photo The portrait seems unfinished (too much empty space) or there is not enough balance between foreground and background causing it to seem much too busy and unfocused.
content The selected visuals and material enhance understanding of the topic, theme, or message.	The student gives a reasonable explanation of how every item in the photo is related to the assigned theme. For most items, the relationship is clear without explanation	. The student gives a reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the assigned theme. For many of the items, the relationship is clear without explanation	The student gives a fairly reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the assigned theme.	The student's explanations are weak and illustrate difficulty understanding how to relate items to the assigned theme
content Student artworks include images of themselves, symbols representing aspects of their identities (physical characteristics, cultural background, interests, beliefs, etc.	The student gives a reasonable explanation of how every item in the photo related to the self theme. For most items, the relationship is clear without explanation.	The student gives a reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the self theme. For many of the items, the relationship is clear without explanation.	The student gives a fairly reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the self theme.	The student's explanations are weak and illustrate difficulty understanding how to relate items to the self theme.
Overall Impression	The photo communicates the author’s understanding of the relationship of self and the enlightenment and there personal phio thought	The photo communicates some aspects of the author’s understanding of the relationship	The photopresents words and images that relate to the self and but it fails to communicate the author’s perspective or relies on general observations.	The photo does not adequately communicate the author’s understanding of the relationship between of self and personal phi thought .
Technical /digital media Demonstrates application Of creative exploration Makes use darkroom to experiment with conceptual ideas Create well-printed photographs in the darkroom	. Students utilized the digital camera and Adobe Photoshop in appropriate ways. The student went above and beyond in thier use of the digital tools.	Students utilized the digital camera and Adobe Photoshop in satisfactory and appropriate ways.	Students utilized the digital camera but only used Adobe Photoshop minimally	Students did not utilize either of the digital tools to the best of their ability.
Artist’s Journal/ brainstorming	The journal includes thoughtful reflections on the student’s decisions. It discusses successes and challenges evenly and shows deep insight into the student’s process Student can describe the intent and plan of his/her completed digital self-portrait. Develops a general plan of what will be done before beginning. Manages time well.	The journal includes some reflections on the student’s decisions, but would benefit from deeper and/or more frequent discussion of the successes and challenges the student faced. Student has carefully planned his/her digital self-portrait and can describe how he/she will get the work done and a vision for the completed project. Plans and gathers ideas on theme for portrait before beginning.	The journal lists all of the decisions or activities that the student has completed, but there is no reflection included. Student has planned his/her portrait and can describe how he/she will get the work done and a vision for the completed project. Does not manage time well and works somewhat haphazardly.	The journal is incomplete. Entries are missing or too short to provide a picture of the work that the student has completed. Leaps into action without any evidence of planning or focus
Time and Effort	Class time was used wisely. Much time and effort went into the planning and creation of the portrait. It is clear the students worked at home as well as at school.	Class time was used wisely, but it did not appear there was much work done outside of class..	. Class time was not always used wisely, but additional work was done at home or other times during the day	Class time was not used wisely and no additional effort was put in at other times or places.