Preview Shots

RUFESCENT STATE/ELEMENTS

Concept Development

REFERENCE THE POWER AND MEANING OF THE COLOUR RED

Tutorial with Jennifer

Through out the duration of this project in both the initially development and excision of my ideas I have endeavoured to explore my abilities as a creative practitioner. In turn this has led to the production of exceptionally abstract and original creative outputs - I have found myself constantly doubting their ambiguity due to their originality and the way they display the merging line between each job role. I no longer see myself as just a makeup artist and I feel my work so far outlines the new direction of which contemporary creatives could be heading. Before talking to Jennifer I had be afraid that I had pushed this too far, but her reassurance has made it clear that the moment I am no longer scared is actually the moment I need to rethink what I am doing. As a makeup artist, with so many images of artistry that has been done before it is sometimes difficult to find a way to be truly original. It is so easy to look at the work of an established artist and say "I want my work to be that" instead of copying we should be inspired - not urged to copy somebody else's creations. Inspiration is defined as being aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to do something, by oras if by supernatural or divine influence.  I feel I have a different way of looking at things, and being inspired by the unknown has enabled me to visualise a world that does not exist yet.   

Jennifer made me think about this project differently when she asked me if I couldn't push the boundaries to the absolute limit in my final major project, when in my life would I be able to? This unit is designed to help us find ourself, our passion and create something amazing that climaxes itself in a highly professional and innovative output. At the stage of my degree it is essential for me to think about where I would like to go after I finish, how I want myself as a creative to be defined and decide how I can best tailor my work to exhibit this.   

EVOLUTION OF SKIN
DEVELOPMENT

"Second skin becomes a surface accessory grown at home using your own stem cells. Adding multiple dimensions to the surface of the skin. Different skin can be worn to add versatility to the body which you can change day to day like a necklace - the second skin will allow for individuality to be expressed." (FMP PROPOSAL OWN WORDS)

Over the past few years we have increasingly seen the popularity of plastic surgery and body modification. The ability to alter ones self is being more and more accessible to the everyday individual. This concept aims to explore the future of where this may lead and how new the development of new technology will allow body modification to evolve.

S/S 16 TREND FORECAST
(Zoom on fashion trends, trend forecasting magazine issue 55)

There is a clear focus on the texture of the skin in the trends forecast for S/S 16. This is exceptionally relevant to what I am focusing on within the development of this concept. Over the next few days I will be experimenting with a variety of different materials and products which evolve the natural bare skin into something intricate and forward thinking. In the early stages of the creation of this project I had originally planned to create prosthetic pieces using SFX materials. After further research into the innovation of new materials I came across 

PREVIEW SHOTS

In a bid to create a look that focused more specifically on the makeup design than anything else I in turn created the opposite. Through the production of this project I have continuously struggled to draw the line between creating an image that displays makeup and one that is an artistic vision of the future. With a fine art background I am increasingly being drawn to producing innovative imagery that evokes more than just a makeup look. Throughout my practice so far I feel I have been influenced by more than just visual stimuli, in order to display this variety of influences throughout the images produced for this project have been a fusion of art, design, technology and makeup.
Although I am happy with the imagery produced I am struggling to know whether what I am producing is good enough. At the half way point I feel it is probably normal to feel some sort of self doubt when producing such abstract and experiment work. I have always strived to create imagery that is different from the normal and work that pushes the boundaries to the very limit of acceptance. With this being said I feel my creativity may have got the better of me, am I pushing things to far? This is something that needs to be considered over the next week when planning the final batch of shoots for this project.

PRODUCT EXPERIMENTATION

The aim of this design is to further develop the second test shoot I did in my FMP proposal. Using fibre optic lights worked well to extend the body and create a sense of emersion in a technological aura. Although I love the effect that the optical lights create against the skin I wanted to explore new methods of creating a similar effect but instead using makeup as the medium. 

Choosing a product with reflective power was key to the success in development of the look. I hope that using a variety of different glitters will enable me to achieve this effect. 

MID POINT REFLECTION

1) What has been successful so far, what have you been pleased with?

During the early stages of the project production I was struggling to find models that were appropriate to my theme. I wanted them to have a real edge to them, and look different from the norm. As this project is focused on the future I wanted the model to mimic this. Without a great deal of budget I was unable to book a professional models. Luckily a long time a Facebook trying to scout out strong models paid off. I have found an incredible model with experience from Poland. She is available for me to work with her throughout the production time and is also local. Without her my images would not be as strong and would not have been so successful. 

I have completed far more shoots than I originally planned and ever shoot I complete I grow in confidence and despite having reservation about some of what I have produced I am very happy with the professional standards I have managed to uphold throughout.

2) Are you on track with your original production schedule, if not why and what do you need to adjust?

What should have been achieved so far (according to original production schedule) 

- Models sourced/confirmed

- Multiple photographers confirmed

- Develop narratives

- Create social media pages

- Choose website platform

- Source materials

- Book studios

- Source clothing

- Test

- Shoot narrative one

- Shoot narrative two

ADJUST 

Social media pages - In my original production schedule I had proposed that I would create social media platforms in week one in order to promote the production of this project. I have since decided against this and will be creating an Instagram account as well as a Facebook site within the next two weeks. I was reluctant to do this at the start as I feel I want to consistently put out a range of strong imagery. In the first few weeks of production I was more focused on sourcing models, photographers and studios. Once the pages are created I will be broadcasting different imagery daily as this will please followers and keep them engaged until the final website is put live. 

Source clothing - I has originally planned to style most of my shoots but finding clothing that is appropriate to the theme and that would enhance the makeup has been extremely difficult. I have since begun to work along side a third year stylist who has a great understanding of my concept and is currently helping me to develop different ways to style the models without necessarily using standard clothing. 

3) How have you resolved major issues?

The first couple of shoots I did where aesthetically successful, but my choice of lighting (which has been used to incorporate my theme of technology) has bleached out much of the makeup. As each shoot went by this was becoming more and more of a concern. I felt I needed to really take a step back and consider what I want to achieve at the end of this. Further planning and development has enabled me to incorporate a high level of makeup skill and photographic production/light/effects. My most recent shoot displays this development.  

Illness has also threatened the production of this project. With all of us creative students working in close proximity of each other bugs are spreading like wild fire. Illness has meant I have had to cancel shoots on more than one occasion. This has led to studio space being lost and time being wasted. I have endeavoured to complete any cancelled shoots within 5 days of the original date planned in order to not fall behind to much.  The last shoot I cancelled was meant to be on Monday. Having to re-plan it allowed for extra time to plan, extra time to shoot on the day, as well as the use of a much larger studio. Cancelling that shoot really worked in my favour and I am so happy with the outcome I achieved at the end. 

The lack of available studios has been a huge challenge and is something that is inevitably out of my control. Learning to work around this has been key to the successful production of shoots so far. Having to even shoot in a class room as a last resort, I was still able to achieve what I set out to in a professional and calm manor. 

4) What requires further improvement?
I need to really focus on what I want to display in my final outcome and ensure that my brief is displayed throughout. Looking back I do feel that I have set myself a very difficult brief to achieve.  The production of more primary and secondary research will enable me to expand each concept and allow me to develop strong visual narratives.

I also need to display more of my development throughout my reflective blog and ensure that after each shoot I dedicate enough time to adequately reflect on every single stage of the production. 

5) You may also want to suggest ideas for further development of your project.
Instead of producing mini films for each narrative I think it will be more beneficial to produce just GIF images on each webpage and one film. This will allow me to produce something of a much higher standard and allow me to focus on one specific idea rather than jumbling each narrative up with another. 

PREVIEW SHOTS

Overall I am incredibly happy with this shoot. The images below are not retouched at all. Using a variety of different little techniques I was able to show the makeup and concept without either aspect overruling its counterpart.

Each section of the shoot was planned out precisely in order to show a gradual climax to the images. I chose to do this to ensure no matter what I would have strong imagery showing the makeup in detail. Building up different elements on the shoot also enabled me to produce a range of imagery that I can include on one page of my website.

Unfortunately we were unable to film any of this shoot.  I am starting to question the ambiguity of this as finding a videographer is becoming a real struggle.   

RUFESCENT STATE

Concept Development

The initial development of this series of images began with focusing on how the notion of colour can be used as a metaphor that alone has the ability to impress key symbolic values on a spectator. The meaning of colour has been integral throughout my own person creative development over the past two years, and is something I have used as a foundation to support and amplify my creativity. In my eyes an image needs to portray something far greater than just a beautiful aesthetic output. Art historian John Gage (1999, p. 147) outlines the significance of colour as symbolism that creates a universal human phenomenon, recognised largely as a means of visual communication. Colour has the ability to penetrate far below the surface. With this in mind I feel that in order to take my work to the next level, symbolism and the meaning of colour needs to be fully integrated within my imagery. 

I see art as a process of layering, combing a variety of ingredients to create something spectacular that is completely unique in contrast to each individual element that has been put in. Each factor plays its part, when I combine a variety of different visuals, techniques and materials with strong conceptual research the output is often far greater than initially expected. Recognising my own ability as a creative has allowed me to build my confidence and not be so afraid to produce work that is utterly individual to my work. I no longer see myself as just a makeup artist, but instead something else - I cannot define what role I know see myself playing as I believe I have enabled myself to touch base with every different stage of my image production. The visual outputs display more than just makeup, more than just photography and light...they display something more powerful. 

It is important for me to consider how each of my shoots will be brought together as a collative piece and how they will be displayed in the online exhibition. At the start of the project I had focused a lot on using shades of green, pink and blue to create a techo feel to the imagery. These colours have all worked well so far but I want to add something more power into the mix. Professor Patti Bellantoni (2005) states "colour influences our choices, our opinions, and our emotional state. Our feelings of euphoria or rage, calm or agitation can be intensified or subdued by the colours in our environment". With this is mind I aim to connect to the viewer in a less superficial way than most, I want divulge deeper into their mind through the communication of visual language and colour symbolism.   

The colour red often signifies an energising power, a power that is similarly reflected through the use of modern technology. I want to expand the viewer’s perception of reality through the combination of these two elements. Technology is used today to elevate and expand physical reality into something more spectacular, charged full of an inhuman power that seems almost extra-terrestrial.    

VISUAL INSPIRATION

CASTING CALLING

FACE CHART

Having to previously cancel this shoot and postpone by 6 days due to illness, I was concerned about time management.  Although the extra time I gained I focused on planning every element in order to make the most of the time I had in the studio. Some of my previous shoots have started off with a very bumpy start. I had hoped to have an assistant to help out on this shoot but unfortunately she was unable to attend. 

Prepping the photographer more than a week in advance enabled her to practice some of the photography skills I wanted to feature in the shoot. This allowed us to have a clear focus on what we wanted to achieve, and more importantly how we would achieve the final aesthetic of the imagery. 

(Above image; photographers practice)

This look was something I briefly touched upon in my FMP proposal. I had created double exposure images using fabric. Although I liked the direction in which this image where going I felt they were quite bland and empty. During this practice shoot the photographer really struggled to create what I wanted. I decided for the proper shoot to work with another photographer who had more experience in producing this short of imagery.

FMP PROPOSAL SHOOT

Something I have been struggling with throughout the development of this project is keeping the presence of makeup fully integrated within the overall design of the shoot. Instead of first developing the overall aesthetic of the shoot I chose to begin with the makeup and hair design. Once this was chosen I then developed the creative direction of the shoot, and kept in mind how the makeup could be equally reflected within the concept of the shoot and what props/background I could use within taking away from the makeup.

BTS SHOT

Incorporating flawless skin with reflective skin embellishment was a key focus for this look. I was very conscious not to over do the makeup as when it is combined with the rest of the art direction for the shoot I did not want it to become over powering. The use of large reflective sequins was the link the background directly with the model, I did not want her to be separate from the environment around her. Instead of using lighting effects and distorting elements I chose to incorporate smaller, more subtle ways to enhance the imagery which would be cover or alliterate the makeup. Finding the right balance is very important.

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Relying on using the open studio spaces is becoming a great concern. As every bodies projects are progressing, space is becoming more and more hard to find in the studios. On arrival there was no room for me to apply makeup in the basement space, meaning I would have to leave the studio I had hoped to use. After doing the makeup and hair preparations on the fourth floor, I was then faced with the challenge of completing the shoot in a class room! 

The thought of doing such an experimentally, and  potentially messy shoot in the middle of a class was incredibly daunting. I had practically written off any chance of producing this shoot successfully by this point. We were also against the clock as the model had a time constraint. 

Me and the photographer kept our cool and worked together to set up a mini studio space. The ability to stay calm and collected when everything seems to be going against you paid off! I was presently surprised with what we were able to achieve under the conditions we faced. 

BTS CLIPS

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Shoot Plan

'MIEDZY'

Translation 'between'

Investigating the in-between spaces where the digital, physical and fictional overlap and intersect. The series 'Meidzy' aims to explore an alternative reality. I think it is important for me to touch more upon our increasing dependence on the virtual world of the Internet; the place in which we inhabit today is something similar to a shadowy mirror space where two worlds collide. When these two separates; virtual and reality meet..what do we experience? One could argue that both these worlds are actually real, as the virtual digital world defiantly has an actual impact on our physical lives. But for my purposes I would like to establish that this in-between space - which I want to define as the expanded mirror space we exist in most of the time nowadays - is a real space. It is this mirror-space, this land of the in-between, that I seek to address through this series. 

I seem to becoming ever more obsessed with the enfolded nature of the surface and sometimes the generative abyss which lies beneath and how I can communicate this idea through the medium of visual language. J.G Ballard (1995, p.56) suggests this new dimension of reality can be understood as "as kind of collective lucid dreaming." 

Ballard, J. (1995) Crash. London: Vintage 

(Call Sheet)

Inspiration

Artist Marilyn Minter

Both Marilyn Minter's photography and art work displays a fresh take on beauty featuring a element the grotesque whilst focusing on specific elements of the body. Her vision is of the obscure an refracted. In my next shoot I want to take inspiration from this, creating innovative imagery that creates a sense of fragmentation and mystery to the human form. I see technology as an immersive atmosphere where we see ourselves and our being beneath a superimposed layer of the digital world. This concept aims to display an mirror world where the digital and analogue are integrated seamlessly. Shooting through a glass partition I will physically adorn and impose a layer of colour, movement and detail using water, oil and mac acrylic paint - using makeup beyond just on the canvas of the skin.