For my transformative portrait, I wanted to showcase some magic and levity all at the same time. I will be leading a study abroad program to London in May, so the city, history, and yes, film, have been on my mind a lot over the last year. Mary Poppins is one of my favorite Disney films, so I wanted to illustrate the beauty and wonder of London as well as the fantasy of this classic character. For the transformative pieces, I added my imitation of Mary Poppins and shadow flying across the London landscape. I also included twinkle lights around each lamp post to showcase depth of field. Finally, I added four different clouds that overlap and fly simultaneously across the sky. I hope my vision comes to life for the viewer!
ReplyDeleteThe work is a transformative portrait in motion done by Suzanne Voigt. In the video, the setting is in a sunset of London with landmarks such as the London Bridge and the Big Ben signifying the specific and well known location. The elements in motion are clouds, shadows, twinkling streetlights, and the flying figure. Specifically, the flying figure is holding an umbrella, flying over a body of water by the famous landmarks that is reminiscent of Mary Poppins as the character often moves in the same method. As the subject flies over, the shadow casts over the water and is warped by ripples, giving the illusion of moving water. Clouds are also in motion to signify the windy weather in London with twinkling lights to allude towards a more fantasy and whimsical-like feeling of the piece.
Based on the image, I would assume that the character Mary Poppins has significance to the individual as well as the city of London. The individual is likely to be whimsical, loves to travel, and is nostalgic. I would say this is more based on psychology as it embodies who the individual is by the elements within the image. It’s composited in a way that it’s almost dream-like that it reflects how they view the film and character as well as London. Similar to childhood movies, the mood that it gives off is reminiscent of it as it’s like someone looking back on their childhood and recalling the nostalgia and good feelings one would feel while watching the film. London being the primary setting of Mary Poppins contributes to that feeling with the dreamy-like effects of the twinkling lights and colorful sky. The flying figure gives off a sense of wonder.
The work itself gives palpable and sufficient visual cues to interpret the work as the fling figure can easily be connected to the iconic character that is Mary Poppins with a familiar and well known location that is London. Moving clouds suggest the typical overcast weather that often occurs in London. As a portrait, it seems more landscape-like as the setting takes up more of the space than the figure. But if given context, it would read as a portrait. In the matter of it being transformative, I would say it is with the individual themselves embodying Mary Poppins through the clothing and motion that is shown in the work. The image composited transforms how you would view London in contrast to someone thinking the city is rather dull and bleak.
The motion that catches the viewer’s attention is how the individual flies across the image. That action is easily connected to how Mary Poppins move and gives us an insight on the individual themselves as it suggests their emotional/psychological connection to the character. In the beginning, the subject moves slowly as if it was a small breeze and the speed picks up as they near the city. If possible, one could keep the speed consistent; either by going fast or slow. I would think maybe the speed could be significant as well. Maybe they want to go to London as soon as possible and are excited at the possible opportunity.
In our larger culture where selfies, photographic portraits, and hand taken videos of ourselves are huge in our visual culture, this adds on to it. As it isn’t a traditional portrait that one would think of in today’s age, the added effects of motion tells more of a story of the individual through a more imaginative, wider scope. People nowadays share photos and videos of themselves in connection to the things that they enjoy; movies, hobbies, travels, etc. This work embodies that part of culture through a different take as the individual is immersed into that connection. This was shared with an audience to have them learn more about the individual and what they think and feel towards the subject which is common in today's culture.
DeleteWhe work by Suzanne Voigt where she embodies the character, Mary Poppins, within the city of London, creates a whimsical, dream-like mood that connects with her feelings toward the subjects as her transformative portrait. As she moves across the image, twinkling lights, moving clouds, and her shadow interacting with the body of water allows for immersion into the experience. Her feelings of nostalgia and emotional connection to the film and location is shown through the moving elements of the image. In a time of larger culture, where portraiture is widespread, the image and moving elements elevates the work through an immersive experience without heavily focusing on the individual. Regardless of whether or not it focused directly on the individual, the context around them gives viewers enough clues on her personality and connection to the additional elements.