The composition I chose to do for this project was a self-portrait of myself underwater, holding my breath, reaching up toward the camera. I chose this concept because at the point of the semester we are in, I feel as though I’m trying to stay afloat with assignments and with the senior BFA show coming up in the next two weeks. Within the composition there are four images used to create the photo. The movement I chose to do was the water as though you were looking above the water down onto a person who is underneath. I did select to have the face and hand in a separate layer to make the image appear noticeable. If I didn’t do this, the face and hand would get distorted in a weird way and not be recognizable.
This transformative portrait work by Dominique Rodriguez consists of the subject underwater and reaching up towards the surface. The water itself flows nicely and the reflected light adds a lot of perceived depth to the composition. The light also reminds me of electricity or some sort of colored liquid. The subject appears to be calm, at peace, under the water.
ReplyDeleteI read two different stories in this portrait. The first is of someone who has accepted their fate and succumbs to the water. The facial expression reads that of acceptance and peace. The hand reaching out, however, does complicate this interpretation. Perhaps the subject is trying to convince themself that it’s okay to let go, but the body’s instinct to reach out and get help or escape cannot be suppressed. They still have hope. The second interpretation I see is similar, but its basis is the reaching hand. I read it also as someone who is at peace and having an ethereal experience wanting to reach out and bring someone else to experience this wonder, too. Because the eyes are closed, I would believe that either the subject knows exactly who is in front of them and who they’re reaching out to, or that they don’t care who comes with them, just that someone does. Both interpretations seem based on properties of water, specifically the idea of succumbing to it.
Overall, I would say that this portrait is effective as a portrait. Compositionally, I think I may have liked to see the hand closer to or partially covering the face and/or a stronger shadow of the hand on the face. I also would like to see the water be a little bit whiter, at least in the top third. Because of the color of the hair in combination with the dark blue of the water, the top third or so seems a little too empty. The hair just blends in with the darker edges. Just brightening the water up a little bit would solve this and still keep a darker vibe. The portrait is transformative, but not in the way the artist intends. I find this work falling a little short of the idea written about in the blog post, but it excels in the first interpretation I pointed out. It is similar to the concept Dominique was going for, but it definitely diverges in the execution. In order to portray more of the idea of staying afloat amid so many deadlines and expectations, I think the subject would need to look more panicked instead of calm and peaceful. Perhaps having the eyes wide open would be enough to convey that concept better. A horizontal composition showing the subject floating on top of the water would also work, and the peaceful expression could be kept. I would argue that the portrait, as it is now, fits better with Dominique’s senior thesis work than as a commentary on “drowning” in work.
Talking about the motion specifically, I have similar comments as in the last paragraph. I think the movement of the water works wonderfully with the still figure with a concept focused on peacefulness and contentment. The subject is calm amidst the water moving and flowing; it speaks volumes on connectedness and stillness. However, in order to convey a message that is more focused on the subject being overwhelmed and just trying to stay afloat, I think that the main movement should have been in the figure. The eyes opening or bubbles coming from the mouth could work, as could the hand moving and reaching more forward/more desperate. My only critique for the motion as it is, is that I would like for the ripples over the left shoulder and arm to be more contained. Water definitely would distort the figure, but the way that the skin tone moves feels out of place and does detract slightly from the overall water movement.
(part two)
ReplyDeleteThis work by Dominique has a nice commentary on being calm and peaceful and connected to nature. This is something that our world lacks a lot of now, and having a reminder is useful and helpful. We should be staying in the moment where we are more in life, for the most part, and this portrait demonstrates that beautifully and skillfully.
In conclusion, Dominique’s transformative portrait is indeed transformative and it works, but not in the way that was indicated in the blog post. It is definitely a solid piece of work, and I really enjoy watching it. It happens often when the original intention doesn’t shine through, and a different message or intent is more evident. And I think that’s okay. Especially when the artwork is still doing work and doesn’t fall flat. This portrait most definitely does NOT fall flat and was successful despite success looking differently than intended by the artist.