Funny Image Composition
As a stepping stone to the main Surreal Composition project, I created two different “funny” image compositions using photos I had previously taken. These were essentially 3 images layered on top of each other and blended in a way that made them look like real photos in absurd situations. My two compositions depict a floating Rubik’s Cube and a giant calligraphy set on the horizon.
Surreal Composition
The surreal composition project was the first piece of media I created in conjunction with the world building unit. Through this experience, I learned how to use Photoshop to put together a scene using various different images. However, the goal was to make it look surreal, like a moment in a dream. My particular Surreal Composition depicts a road traveling over a flooded city, with a lightning storm in the background. This was meant to symbolize the dangers of neglecting sustainability and eco-friendly development, which was the focus of my research essay.
Artist Statement
The topic I researched for my Worldbuilding Research Essay was about Green Cities and how sustainable urban development can be achieved without causing gentrification. For the Surreal Composition, I decided to build off of that idea and imagine a scenario where humanity decides to reject going green. The composition depicts a long road leading into the city of Chicago, with a thunderstorm so intense that everywhere except downtown has flooded. A lightning bolt can be seen striking the middle of the city. Essentially, the effects of climate change have worsened to a point where the Earth’s weather has become highly volatile, producing climate phenomena beyond human control. I am quite satisfied with the result, as I tried my best to make everything in the composition blend in using a variety of techniques such as brightness, blend modes, masks, overlay painting, texturing, and color correction. In total, the composition consists of 9 unique images, with most pulled from the internet. However, the road signs were screenshotted from Google Maps street view.
Multi-Layered Art Project
This project was unique in that the final product is a physical, 3D object, but the creation process was entirely in 2 dimensions. Using Illustrator, I “faked” a 3D look by stacking multiple layers of artwork on top of each other, with each Illustrator layer being a different panel of art. Therefore, when viewed from the front, it looks 2D, but when viewed from the sides, it looks 3D. My worldbuilding treatment involved AI and computer chip brain implants, so I created what might be the inside of someone’s brain with a chip implant inside it.
Artist Statement
“Brainwash” is supposed to be a look into somebody’s brain where a computer chip resides, controlling their mind as the title suggests. In my world building story, the computer chips are known as “Arti-Chips” and many people who live in the elite class have them surgically installed. They were initially meant to provide benefits to the user, such as better health and access to more knowledge. However, when malware was uploaded to all of the chips, they became detrimental and acted as a parasite. My artwork is meant to convey that the chip has evil intentions, through the red hues and lightning bolts in the background. I added lots of detail to the chip itself, which is the focal point of the artwork. It underwent several design changes due to issues with the laser cutter, but in the end, I still think it turned out exactly how I envisioned it. If I had to change anything, it would be adding more detail to the brain tissues and possibly adding other layers to spice things up a little bit more.