For this transformative portrait, I decided to film it on a train and have the view out the window rapidly changing as if it were moving. This piece is supposed to represent time moving too fast. I took this footage when I was recently in my hometown in Massachusetts. This trip reminded me of the past and how things have changed so much since moving here. It reminded me that feeling at home in multiple places is something to be grateful for, and how parts of me remained the same or changed for the better as I've gotten older.
Shyanna’s artwork seems to depict herself on a train ride, while looking out at the window to see the trees pass by her. The train itself seems to be going at a fast pace, as she says in her description. While we cannot see her face to show any emotions that she may or may not have, it does give the viewer their own interpretation of how she feels during this video portrait.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading the description, the work seems to interpret her going on a journey, or vacation somewhere that we may not know about. Since there are only trees present, it could imply that she is looking out to see if there is something out there that she wishes to see that has yet to appear. The artwork also implies that the subject is deep in thought as to what she is focusing on currently. This too could give the viewer their own views as to what the subject is thinking about.
When looking at this piece in a portrait type of view, it seems to give a good glow effect that shines onto the subject's head and hair. It also gives us enough light as to who the subject is. If the video were to be paused at any moment, it could also work as well for canvas prints. The critique I have with it though is that I would like to see more facial features as we may not get a clearer idea as to who the subject is more specifically. The artist states that things have changed since moving back there, but the forest that she watches gives an indication that things have not changed as much, other than the subject herself.
As the writer states that the ride seems to go by fast, this could give the audience the indication that “life seems to go by at a fast pace” than how others may usually see life. The only critique I have is that it implies some things about her hometown which don’t exactly see much from the picture itself other than the trees. The artist does however state that things have changed or stayed the same for the better for her while her hometown seems to have changed her perspective of where she used to live.
The artwork itself has a good film angle that lets the viewer join in to reflect on how things may have changed or stayed the same for them, rather than just the artist. Perhaps the reason for only showing the forest could symbolize any small hometown that the audience may have grown up with. As stated before, time goes by at a fast pace while we may or may not see it, and since the train seems to imply that the train inside is going at a “slower” pace, the artwork seems to do a great job giving us this type of perspective.
Overall, the portrait does a very good job with not just connecting with the artist and life itself, but also invites the audience to do the same as well. I would also experiment with different angles or shots to reveal the artist more, while still looking out the window. This could still give us the same meaning that the artist is trying to imply. Shyanna’s self-portrait of her journey back home does a great job in terms of lighting, and meaning with the artwork itself. Great job!