Physical Experiments: Gender

Physical Experiments - 

Gender Identity 1:

Gender Identity 2:

Gender Identity 3:

Gender Societal Expectations:

Femininity Expectations:

Middlesex:

Natural Femininity:

Process - 

All of the above images were created using a variety of the same techniques. As the final outcomes are all physical experiments I created them using glue, scissors, scalpels and magazine clippings. 

I began by cutting out the appropriate sections of each portrait and then layering them either over other images, such as clippings or landscapes, or by placing them side-by-side with other photographs. 

Connecting Essay: Physical Experiment: Gender: John Stezaker

Connecting Essay -

Physical Experiment/ Gender -

John Stezaker Art:

My Photographs:

First of all, of the images above the top are the works of the artist John Stezaker whilst the second are my own final outcomes inspired by Stezaker.

A few technical similarities between the above final outcomes are the techniques used to create them. Stezaker and myself use photographs and then cut them and layer them in an attempt to create an intriguing response to identity. For instance, both have been created using similar techniques such as the use of portraiture and then cutting the images or placing them into layers to remove or hide sections of the face. Furthermore, both belong within the sub-category of portraiture and physical manipulation. Stezaker is an artist who creates intriguing contemporary portraits which are created using vintage iconic photographs. Another similarity is the subject of studying gender. For instance, I was inspired by Stezaker's half male half female portraits as it seemed as though it would be extremely relevant to my gender based response to the exam section of personal opinions.

However, there are also some differences in the final outcomes that are shown above. The most significant of these differences being the use of colours and filters. For example, as Stezaker uses pre-existing vintage photographs, where as I used my own modern portraits, the colours used are either sepia or black and white. Additionally, another difference is the way I which some images are layered; Stezaker's first image has the female portrait layered on top of the male portrait although in my rendition I cut and stuck rather than layering as this fitted together more accurately in my case. Also, the landscape portrait hybrids are different in that Stezaker employed a postcard and composed it over the face whilst I cut into the facial region and layered the landscape as the base. Furthermore, as I briefly addressed earlier, Stezaker did not use his own photographs but instead used recognisable retro images whilst I as a photographer rather than an artist used my own images.

If I was to improve the pastiche of my final outcome then I would begin by editing my work in Photoshop and experimenting with filters, sepia or black and white, to create a similar nostalgic retro feel to the iconic images used by Stezaker.  

In conclusion, there are both similarities and differences between John Stezaker's work and mine as I was inspired by his work when discovering his interesting gender collages. I was inspired to address my response to gender in a simplistic yet effective way that depicts both similarities and differences between the genders. 

Connecting Essay: Physical Experiments: Gender: Dryden Goodwin

Connecting Essay -

Physical Experiment/ Gender -

Dryden Goodwin Photography:

My Photography:

Firstly, of the images displayed above the top is the work of the photographer Dryden Goodwin and the second is an outcome of my own.

A few technical similarities between the above final outcomes include the process of cutting into the portraits. For instance, both have been created using similar techniques such as the printing of chosen portraits and then carving into the darker regions which is easier due to the ink build-up . Furthermore, both belong within the sub-category of portraiture photography and physical manipulation. Goodwin is a photographer who creates intriguing portraits which are carved into using a sharp instrument. I replicated the scratching technique in my own work using both scissors and a scalpel which therefore provided similar line contour shapes accentuating certain features on the portraits.

Although, there are also many differences in the final outcomes that are shown above. Possibly the most significant difference being the use of colours and filters. For example, Goodwin uses a monochromatic pallet created most likely through editing using a black and white filter. I, however, did not edit my image into a black and white portrait. The employment of the black and white highly contrasted image used by Goodwin is helpful for his technique as the dark ink is easier to carve into. Furthermore, the composition in the photographs are completely different; Goodwin uses an almost profile image not maintaining eye-contact with the camera/ audience and the photographs are not taken in a studio setting. I did not comply exactly to the set-up used by Goodwin and instead used a studio setting and a typical portraiture eye-contact. Also the idea behind my work as focusing on gender was that the carving technique almost represented a tribal scarification pattern which is worn by male warriors and thus again studies different societies ideas about gender and masculinity.

If I was to improve the pastiche of my final outcome then I would edit my work in Photoshop to experiment with skills such as filters, black and white, to create a similar nostalgic and moody atmosphere  like Goodwin's. I would also try and photograph outside in a non studio set-up to create an almost documentary style.

To conclude, there are both similarities and differences between Dryden Goodwin's work and mine as I was inspired by Goodwin after first encountering his work in my photography unit one coursework component. I wanted to experiment with the carving technique again and thus there are similarities although I only used his technique rather than exactly replicating his style. I adapted the technique to work in cohesion with the exam section personal opinions in which I am focusing on gender.

Connecting Essay: Physical Experiment: Gender: Seher Khan and Eugenia Loli

Connecting Essay -

Physical Experiment/ Gender -

Seher Khan Graphic Art:

Eugenia Loli Graphic Art:

My Photographs:



To begin with, all of the images depicted above are the works of the graphic artists Seher Khan and Eugenia Loli with my own two physically manipulated photographs beneath.

Some similarities between the above final outcomes is due to the technical formation of the images. For instance, they have been created using similar techniques such as the layering of clippings onto portraits either physically or graphically. Furthermore, all belong within the sub-category of portraiture photography. Khan and Loli are graphic artists who create similar final outcomes to myself but instead they use software rather than physical cutting and gluing. For example, both of the above artists obscure the face in some manner within their pictures which I have replicated by covering the main facial features with clippings that can be associated with specific genders. My main inspiration was Loli's work on the male sheriff portrait which she developed by layering with stereotypically feminine flowers to contrast ideas of hyper-masculinity and femininity.

Moreover, the composition of the final outcomes are similar in that all feature portraiture from shoulders to top of the head which is taken further with the experimentation of obscuring the face and thus the identity. Additionally, the final outcomes implicitly study ideas about identity formed by our surroundings and society. To explain, Khan's second image appears to be studying how war and violence shapes individual people, Loli studies how closely related masculinity and femininity are and I chose to study how society's expectation of genders socialises individuals and forms a gender based identity.

However, there are also some differences in the final pieces that are depicted above. One important change is the employment of colour within the images. For example, Khan uses a multitude of colours in the layering process as does Loli quite often. I, on the other hand, complied in colour more to the first of Loli's images shown above. The monochrome backdrop with a low saturated portrait layered with more vibrant bold hue colours. Furthermore, the meanings behind my inspiration artist are more implicit than my own renditions of them as I have employed stereotypes to address ideas about gender whilst Khan and Loli use images that appear more to be associated or connoted with their subject.

If I was to improve the pastiche of my final outcomes then I would adapt my work through experimenting with Photoshop to include skills such as filters or selective colourisation to create a similar retro inspired style like Loli's or increase the hue and saturation to make my work more like that of Khan's. I would also try to layer larger and more clippings over my portrait photographs as to create a more in depth and engaging final outcome.

To conclude, there are both similarities and differences between Seher Khan's, Eugenia Loli's and my own work in that I was inspired by the above graphic artist and this can be seen in my use of bold coloured clipping. Although, I still experimented with my own ideas about simply obscuring the main facial features individually rather than with as large clippings like those employed by both Khan and Loli.

Connecting Essay: Physical Experiment: Gender: Adam Hale

Connecting Essay -
 
Physical Experiment/ Gender -
 

Adam Hale Artwork:

 

 

 

 My photography:

 

 

 

The four images depicted above are the works of the artist Adam Hale and my physically manipulated photographs.

Some of the technical similarities between the above final outcomes is that they have been edited through similar techniques such as physical experimentation and both belong within the sub-group of portraiture photography and even more in depth sub-category surreal portraiture. Hale is a photographic artist much like myself and therefore the process used to form these final outcomes are similar. For instance the use of portraits cut into sections which are cohesively joined with clippings from print mediums and are layered to create ideas about identity.

Additionally, the composition of the images are similar as both feature portraiture which is further experimented through concepts such as the dissecting of facial features to reveal other images such as landscapes. Also, the final outcomes implicitly play with ideas about gender and other forms of identity such as regional identity.  

However, there are some differences in the final pieces that are shown above. One important change is the objects surrounding or replacing facial features that depict various forms of identity. For instance, Hale's first artwork could depict the dangers of a beauty based society such as mental illness like body dysphoria and physical ailments caused by botox etc. The second of Hale's work appears more to depict regional identity and how one is vastly influenced by their home and their surroundings. I chose to focus on gender stereotypes to conform to my previous photoshoots category under personal opinions. Moreover, the composition of the final outcome is different between Hale's work and mine; Hale employs warm lighting and a square crop. On the other hand, I used a much more clinical and sinister cool lighting to depict the oppressive, interrogative like, nature of society on all people to conform to their assigned gender. The reason I continued with a portrait crop was simply due to practicality in that I did not use only the head for my photographs but also a whole shoulders to head layout and this would have been difficult in a square crop.
 

If I was to improve the pastiche of my final outcome then I would experiment with my Photoshop skills to include skills such as filters or colour adjustments to create a similar lighting to that used by Hale. I would also try a variety of different crop shapes and ratios so that my work reflected that of Hale's more than it currently does in reference to composition.

To conclude, there are both similarities and differences between Adam Hale's work and my own in that I was inspired by Hale as can be seen in the composition of my second photograph shown above. Although, I still wanted my ideas to be understood by an audience and seen in a way that has been created from my own ideas. 

 

Connecting Essay: Physical Experiment: Gender: Rocio Montoya

Connecting Essay -

Physical Experiment/ Gender -

Rocio Montoya Graphic Art/ Photography:

 

 

My Photograph:

 

 

The two images displayed above are the works of the graphic artist Rocio Montoya and my physically manipulated photographs.

A few technical similarities between the above final outcomes is that both have been edited through the means of physical experimentation and both belong within the sub-group of portraiture photography. Montoya is photographic artist similar to myself and thus the process used to create the final outcomes are similar for example the use of portraits cut into sections combined with clippings from magazines and other such print mediums are layered to create intriguing perceptions about identity and more implicitly gender identity.

Furthermore, the composition of the images are similar in that both feature portraiture, although the profiles are different, which is developed through concept of dissecting one's facial identity to release the previously hidden interior of the mind and body. Additionally, the final outcomes implicitly play with ideas about the female sex and feminine gender through stereotypes of gender identity and expectations of different genders.

However, there are also a few differences in the final outcomes that are exemplified above. One significant difference being clippings used to portray the feminine gender identity stereotypes. For instance, Montoya's work, through my eyes, studies ideas about femininity through the use of pastel pink flowers, more specifically roses, and the natural elements that are associated with the female form like religious texts variations of Eve in the Christian bible. Although, I instead employed the use of a model and makeup to depict stereotypical expectations of women within modern society. I layered the face of a model over my subjects own face to suggest that many people are forced to reach towards an unattainable idea of perfection enforced onto them specifically through media sources. To further enhance this, I create a crown out of different makeup tools to show that in a modern society beauty is the ruler. Another difference is the use of colours. Montoya employs selective colourisation and black and white filters to ensure that the portrait is highly contrasted and subdued yet oxymoronically bold. The black and white portrait draws the eye to the use of colours; green and pink are important in the feature piece by Montoya and these connote femininity, delicate, growth, natural, beauty etc. I did not employ black and white as I wanted keep the similar colour scheme of green and pink and also wanted my work to have a more modern feel rather than nostalgia evoked from sepia of black and white filters.

 

If I was to enhance the pastiche of my final outcome then I would experiment with Photoshop techniques to include skills such as filters and selective colourisation to reflect the bold sepia/ black and white work of Montoya. I could also experiment with the composition using the real face of the subject like Montoya although I chose to use a clipping instead, for this piece, as I wanted to display beauty as a suffocating mask and also infer that gender is often perceived from the outside but instead lies inside the subjects mind.

In conclusion, there are both similarities and differences between Rocio Montoya's work and my own in that I was inspired by Montoya but still wanted my work to be individual and not rely too heavily on another's ideas. I allowed myself to create a piece of work that is inspired by others but is still my own and therefore can be perceived by an audience hopefully in multiple ways.

Connecting Essay: Physical Experiment: Gender: Matthieu Bourel

Connecting Essay -

Physical Experiment/ Gender -

Matthieu Bourel Artwork:
 

My Photographs:
 

Of the images depicted above the first is by the artist Matthieu Bourel whilst the second and third are my own photographs that have been physically manipulated post-production.

Some technical similarities between the final outcomes is that all have been edited in a way that is either physically edited or appears to be and all exist within the medium of portrait photography . Mathieu Bourel is an artist rather than a photographer and thus is able to use pre-existing photographs rather than take his own. Bourel is inspired by vintage and retro works and both metaphorically and physically goes beneath the skin of subjects to understand ideas about identity. One of the most significant features of someone's identity and identity dysphoria is their gender and therefore I thought that Bourel's work could be reproduced in a way that depicts gender stereotypes and expectations of them in society.

Furthermore, the composition of the images are similar in that all feature portraiture developed through the idea of either removing or enhancing the visual and invisible aspects of someone's identity such as what is beneath a gendered exterior. Additionally, the final outcomes subtly portray ideas of negative space within portraiture and how it can be used as a technique to emphasise the positive space and pragmatic meaning of the work.

However, there are also quite a few differences in the final outcomes as shown above. One significant difference being the techniques used to create the images. For example, Bourel as an artist creates multi-media collage images composed of vintage photographs and digital clippings from books, magazines and so on. I, on the other hand, as a photographer employed my own photographs and my separate implicit ideas that I wanted hidden beneath the skin of the subjects. Bourel layered images digitally as a graphic artist whilst I used the simple medium of physical cutting and gluing. Bourel works on physical identity through an anatomical dissection idea whilst I wanted to cut open the mind of someone who has been influenced by society's gendered roles and expectation and depicted these through clippings in the brain region.

The images, as depicted above, explore similar ideas of identity through portraiture in the form of negative space which works in cohesion with the borrowed clippings to develop gender stereotypes within the 'brain' of the portrait subjects. Bourel often focused on the physical central identity components that form the facial region including eyes and mouth; despite this, I decided that the formation of someone's identity is not through their physical appearance but instead through the contents of their brain and thus focused on the social elements of identity. My idea is that sex, male and female, is biological whilst gender, masculinity and femininity, is a social construct formed in the minds of each individual due to societies influence in their primary and secondary socialisation. This supports ideas about genders other than male and female such as: agender, non-binary, gender-fluid and so on.

If I was to improve the pastiche of my final outcome then I would experiment with Photoshop to include techniques such as filters and selective colourisation to reflect the nostalgia of Bourel's sepia/ black and white work, and possibly study gender representation throughout multiple eras, whilst still using my own photographs. I could also experiment with the composition such as cutting the edges in a more fluid pattern rather than a harsh line.  

In conclusion, there are both similarities ands differences between Matthieu Bourel's work and my own in that as I had come across his work years ago it has subconsciously and now more deliberately influenced my ideas about how to interpret identity and more specifically gender identity yet I still have formed my own ideas.

Photoshoot 9: Gender: Male and Female Brain Dissection: Physical Experiments

Best Images -

052:

053:

054:

055:

Creation Process -

I began the process by taking a series of photographs in the studio using a simple white backdrop and my Canon camera, information regarding this is in the work diary.

The next process was printing the images on a substantial photography paper which would look more professional and cut easier when the time came.

Afterwards, I drew either a shield  or half-crescent moon shape using a ruler and pencil to ensure the section was symmetrical.

I then used a stanley knife as a scalpel to precisely cut away the shape  covering the subjects main facial region.

This left me with a blank section replacing the face. I placed a sheet of plain paper behind my photograph but did not stick the corners down yet as I would need to use the contours to hide edges of the clippings.

Searching through a variety of magazines, catalogues and newspapers provided me with enough images related to gender and gender stereotypes to use for the four above outcomes. I cut them out carefully and composed them within the blank section and glued them to their final positons.

The final outcomes can be seen above.