Thinking Installation
As I'm started to develop my work into a final piece, I need to think about all the visual information I have recording, in order to identify what has been instrumental in my transformation. I want to create an installation that shows my reflection point or starting point, what changes I have made and finally the benefits this has had. The difficulty for me, is creating a response that visually shows my personal account, while embracing the topic and making it relatable to others.
I have already identified my weight bags as a means of enabling the viewer to experience my journey (Which I have now started to develop using my exercise pictures). However, I still had to identified factors within my work that could be good representations of my reflection point and the benefits of changing my lifestyle.
I started to re-evaluate the evidence of the documented changes including all my weighing and measuring exercises. As my weight bags were representing this, I knew I had to find another visual source. It was while looking back through my work, I found what could be a good visual representation of my reflection point.
This is a receipt I kept from the scales at the gym, I kept it as something to reflect back on to ensure I kept to my healthy lifestyle. I can remember I was feeling quite good when I had decided to weigh myself, as I had went from 12st 6and 3/4 lbs to 12.3 in my first couple of weeks. I decided to get a momentum of what I considered at this time, a great start to my body sculpting project. However, this was short lived when I seen the ticket as it truly made me reflect on how far I had to go and my 3 pounds didn't feel like such of an achievement anymore. This wee ticket was blunt in delivering the news that I had chosen to avoid. It showed that I was 5.9 over my recommended BMI and 2 stone over my recommend weight for my height, which hit me like a sledge hummer. I really had been kidding myself on, this was truly a moment of self-reflection, one I do not wish to repeat.
I really think people could relate to this, as most people at some point in their life's, will have to face facts when it comes to their bodies, weather it's down to under or over eating or other factors such as smoking, drinking, taking drugs or general health. This is mines, the realization I've miss treated my body which would ultimately effect my health if not addressed. This is something I will develop, I thinking I could frame this and maybe include a dictionary definition of self-reflection. Although, this maybe a strong enough visual element without this, so I will be mindful with any developments as often the simplest response can have the greatest impact.
My shrinking waist line...
When thinking about the benefits of my healthy lifestyle the list was endless in terms of the effects on my health, looks and waist line, but I had to think in terms of what has made the biggest difference to me. I would say that the biggest difference has came through my wardrobe, as cloths that had been banished to the top shelf are now back in pride of place. My cloths starting to fit has really had the greatest effect on how I feel about myself, as I am starting to gain confidence and I'm sure people can relate. as most of us have that dress or pair of jeans, that we cling onto in the hope that one day, they may see the light of day again.
I have documented this progressive journey as part of my visual development, through "that pair of jeans" I'm talking about. At first, I was truly horrified as I was spilling out all over the shop, however, now I've put the pictures side by side to compare, the changes are really apparent...
After seeing this comparison, I though this might actually make a great additional to my final piece. As, not only does it show the body sculpting process but it also captures the benefit associated with a healthy living. I did originally want to do a theatrical performance piece that world require me trying on different sized jeans until a pair eventually fits. However, this is a truly reflect of my journey and I don't want to over look the impact this has visually.
To develop this, I decided to use the same process I used earlier for my prints...
With the adjustment in contrast, shadows and brightness I think this creates authenticity within the picture and really allows the image to speak to the viewer, telling a visual story. This style of photo was popular in 60's conceptual work, which happens to be my favourite era and has maybe influenced me in some of the creative discussion I have made throughout this project. 60's conceptual art came with such confidence that comes through a lack of fear of rejection, everything was new, unexplored, unlike today, when art can be over complicated by artists in search of a concept that hasn't been explored, say "a million times before". I would like to allow the art of the 60's to inspire me, by encouraging me to be fearless in my approach so I can be confident in my creative decisions and the simplicity of an idea.
I think I'll see how these look in print format, as I'm loving a bit of screen printing for developing stills, it's the way forward for this I think.
