Mixed Media
Tittle: 2017
Size: 76.2 x 91.44 cm
Medium: Shredded Paper
March 2017
Exhibition Text
2017 is an sculpture that is entirely made out of shredded paper, there is nothing holding this paper together but its own force. As Feliz Gonzalez-Torres once created two untitled pieces which had a deep and sentimental meaning to him 2017 portrays the meaning of social classes and the way that they interact. There is controversy about social classes, however 2017 was able to ignore these stereotypes and go straight to the source, a chair made out of other individuals work for the 1% to sit on.
Critique Analysis
Constructive criticism is an essential influence in order to make a project greater. With the help of the critique that some of my peers were able to give me I was able to come up with different possibilities and ideas to complete this project on time and a better way to set up the project in a better way to exhibit my meaning in the best way possible.
The greatest obstacle that I have is time management, which I told my peers about and the critique process made me realize that I need to be more balanced in the way I complete my work. My peers suggested that I should break my time from creating the piece to writing on my website, which was really helpful due to the fact that I have not thought of that since the medium that I am using is so unstable and I am not able to keep it one place if I don’t store it properly, so based on the suggestion that my peers gave me I decided that I am going to write as much as I can on the website before completing the piece and then I am going to complete the piece and then finish writing everything else on the website.
I was able to talk to my peers about my artist inspiration and the way I was going to utilize his ideas and incorporate them into my artwork; talking to them was helpful because I was able to find a way to express my own ideas through my art and not take the actual ideas that my artist had when creating his piece.
Overall I believe that critique is a very essential part of the process in order to create a meaningful and influential piece, which is a criteria I am trying to achieve with this piece based on the meaning that it has.
The greatest obstacle that I have is time management, which I told my peers about and the critique process made me realize that I need to be more balanced in the way I complete my work. My peers suggested that I should break my time from creating the piece to writing on my website, which was really helpful due to the fact that I have not thought of that since the medium that I am using is so unstable and I am not able to keep it one place if I don’t store it properly, so based on the suggestion that my peers gave me I decided that I am going to write as much as I can on the website before completing the piece and then I am going to complete the piece and then finish writing everything else on the website.
I was able to talk to my peers about my artist inspiration and the way I was going to utilize his ideas and incorporate them into my artwork; talking to them was helpful because I was able to find a way to express my own ideas through my art and not take the actual ideas that my artist had when creating his piece.
Overall I believe that critique is a very essential part of the process in order to create a meaningful and influential piece, which is a criteria I am trying to achieve with this piece based on the meaning that it has.
The Meaning
Paper has many different forms. Shredded paper is one form of paper that is often used to get rid of information, hide information or just to make more space for more paper. I want to use this type of paper to represent the way that the different levels in our society affect individuals and use the shredded paper in order to get rid of that feeling, hide this feeling from others in order to keep this cycle going for the advantage of the ones on the higher level. I research what paper is made out of and it turns out that paper is a material made out of different elements, wood, rags and certain glasses, therefore I realized that paper is much more than just dead trees, paper is a mix of different elements that our world contains, just like there are different influences on each level that keep specific individuals with power to be closed minded and forget the injustices happening around them. The tiny pieces of paper that are created when shredding paper represent all of the people within these levels and how much they have to rely on each other in order to keep their level strong and alive, these individuals have to create cornerstones to maintain their level in place, because none of these levels wish to become a lower level because they know that once you become a lower level it is extremely difficult to raise back up.
There are different levels of education, manners, lives and people. These levels revolve around us and we are the ones who keep these levels alive. Shredded paper helps us realize all of the garbage and excessive waste of life that we spend on these levels, either being close minded or just waiting for someone to do something. Within these levels there is power, a power that controls peoples minds and leads them to do unimaginable things; the power of money. Money is the reason why there is segregation and why there are a some many different ranges of wars. Money is the main reason why there are different levels of people, the higher the level, the richest the people and more money means more power. The levels have always been respected and cherished due to the massive amount of influence that money has on individuals. Depending on the money and level that an individual might have determines the level at which that individual sits in society, like the 1%, which sits at the top of the mountain. All of these levels are guarded and revolve around one another, as they mostly revolve around the middle class. The one percent of our word sits on top of everyone, that is why I composed a chair with the different mountains that represent the different socioeconomic classes and on this chair that one percent sits on the chair.
There are different levels of education, manners, lives and people. These levels revolve around us and we are the ones who keep these levels alive. Shredded paper helps us realize all of the garbage and excessive waste of life that we spend on these levels, either being close minded or just waiting for someone to do something. Within these levels there is power, a power that controls peoples minds and leads them to do unimaginable things; the power of money. Money is the reason why there is segregation and why there are a some many different ranges of wars. Money is the main reason why there are different levels of people, the higher the level, the richest the people and more money means more power. The levels have always been respected and cherished due to the massive amount of influence that money has on individuals. Depending on the money and level that an individual might have determines the level at which that individual sits in society, like the 1%, which sits at the top of the mountain. All of these levels are guarded and revolve around one another, as they mostly revolve around the middle class. The one percent of our word sits on top of everyone, that is why I composed a chair with the different mountains that represent the different socioeconomic classes and on this chair that one percent sits on the chair.
Experimentation
When collecting the shredded paper I had to experiment with the way that I was going to store the paper, since I could not store it in a folder. I first decided to store the shredded paper in a closet, this did not work because not all of the paper was secured and a great amount of little pieces of paper got out of the closet and I lost them. Then my second experimentation to store shredded paper was to store it in plastic bags, this worked for a while until the bags started to untie and stretch, as a result the bags opened and there were some holes on them, so again a great amount of paper went missing.
Loosing a great amount of paper led me to collect more paper. Because of my previous experimentation I decided to collect the paper in plastic bags and then store these bags on boxes so that if anything were to happen to them the paper would be kept inside of the boxes and none of it would go missing.
Another way that I experimented was when I was creating the final piece. The first task that I experimented on was finding a place to set up the piece, there were many places at my house to create the piece, but the background was not appropriate for my work. I finally found an open space to create my sculpture, however it was not the place I was looking for. I started by finding the space with the best lighting but there was no good lighting around. The second experimentation with this place was to clean the space and prepare it to place my work. Once the place was prepared I had to experiment by placing the paper bags on the floor and looking around and see which way was the best way to place the piece, I tried this for about ten minutes until I finally felt that the position was just right to create the sculpture.
Finally my last experimentation had to deal with the fact that I do not have any photography background, therefore I had to experiment with different angles and positions in order to find the best photo. I used a camera and just took many pictures without any specific measurements, then I decided to take photos from the top and the side, which did not turned out to be my best work but within those pictures I was able to find the one to represent my final piece.
Loosing a great amount of paper led me to collect more paper. Because of my previous experimentation I decided to collect the paper in plastic bags and then store these bags on boxes so that if anything were to happen to them the paper would be kept inside of the boxes and none of it would go missing.
Another way that I experimented was when I was creating the final piece. The first task that I experimented on was finding a place to set up the piece, there were many places at my house to create the piece, but the background was not appropriate for my work. I finally found an open space to create my sculpture, however it was not the place I was looking for. I started by finding the space with the best lighting but there was no good lighting around. The second experimentation with this place was to clean the space and prepare it to place my work. Once the place was prepared I had to experiment by placing the paper bags on the floor and looking around and see which way was the best way to place the piece, I tried this for about ten minutes until I finally felt that the position was just right to create the sculpture.
Finally my last experimentation had to deal with the fact that I do not have any photography background, therefore I had to experiment with different angles and positions in order to find the best photo. I used a camera and just took many pictures without any specific measurements, then I decided to take photos from the top and the side, which did not turned out to be my best work but within those pictures I was able to find the one to represent my final piece.
Process
1. Gathering ideas
In order to complete this project I had to research my environment and some artist to find some inspiration and the materials that I was going to use. I realized that there are many places were people paper is used incorrectly and then it is thrown away.
In order to complete this project I had to research my environment and some artist to find some inspiration and the materials that I was going to use. I realized that there are many places were people paper is used incorrectly and then it is thrown away.
2. Creating sketches
In order to bring my ideas to life I have to make some sketches beforehand in order to make an image and show others my ideas before creating the final piece. I have already decided that I was going to use shredded paper, therefore I started to sketch different positions on which I was going to place the paper in order to have an intricate, yet simple piece to exhibit the meaning the most properly.
In order to bring my ideas to life I have to make some sketches beforehand in order to make an image and show others my ideas before creating the final piece. I have already decided that I was going to use shredded paper, therefore I started to sketch different positions on which I was going to place the paper in order to have an intricate, yet simple piece to exhibit the meaning the most properly.
The first three sketches are planning sketches, I made these sketches in order to find out they way that the shredded paper would look the best.
In the first sketch I wanted to exhibit the way I wanted the paper to pose as in order to clearly state the meaning, in this sketch the paper was going to be in one mountain which was going to be made out of the shredded paper to represent the whole amount of shredded paper without clearly making the levels visible.
In the second sketch I decided to represent the meaning in a different way, the paper still has the form of little mountains, but they are all small and connected to represent how humans are all tied to this idea but are not able to see the difference on the levels.
The third sketch shows different sizes of mountains that are not connected, this is done in order to represent the amount of levels and how segregated they are in society.
With the inspiration of all the three previous sketches I came up with a final sketch. The final sketch included something from the previous sketches and it connected to the meaning perfectly. The mountains were going to be all different sizes, they were going to be somewhat connected and they were going to be placed in a circular way, then in the middle of all the mountains there is going to be a tiny pile of paper to represent the middle class and the mountains of shredded paper will represent the difference between the levels and what influence one has on another, I also thought about including one levels that is decaying because it is falling apart and becoming a lower level.
In the first sketch I wanted to exhibit the way I wanted the paper to pose as in order to clearly state the meaning, in this sketch the paper was going to be in one mountain which was going to be made out of the shredded paper to represent the whole amount of shredded paper without clearly making the levels visible.
In the second sketch I decided to represent the meaning in a different way, the paper still has the form of little mountains, but they are all small and connected to represent how humans are all tied to this idea but are not able to see the difference on the levels.
The third sketch shows different sizes of mountains that are not connected, this is done in order to represent the amount of levels and how segregated they are in society.
With the inspiration of all the three previous sketches I came up with a final sketch. The final sketch included something from the previous sketches and it connected to the meaning perfectly. The mountains were going to be all different sizes, they were going to be somewhat connected and they were going to be placed in a circular way, then in the middle of all the mountains there is going to be a tiny pile of paper to represent the middle class and the mountains of shredded paper will represent the difference between the levels and what influence one has on another, I also thought about including one levels that is decaying because it is falling apart and becoming a lower level.
3. Gathering the paper
I walked around and asked different people for paper which they did not want any more and I told them that the paper could be used and the form that they had the paper in did not matter. The paper that I collected was mostly flat sheets of white paper, there were some sticky notes and some crumbled up paper, I used all of this paper. When I had enough paper I decided to start shredding the paper and it turned out to be time consuming because the shredding machine could only take so much paper at a time and it had to be carefully and patiently shredded in order to not overheat the machine.
After I had a reasonable amount of paper I stored it in black plastic bags and saved it until I had all of the paper shredded.
I walked around and asked different people for paper which they did not want any more and I told them that the paper could be used and the form that they had the paper in did not matter. The paper that I collected was mostly flat sheets of white paper, there were some sticky notes and some crumbled up paper, I used all of this paper. When I had enough paper I decided to start shredding the paper and it turned out to be time consuming because the shredding machine could only take so much paper at a time and it had to be carefully and patiently shredded in order to not overheat the machine.
After I had a reasonable amount of paper I stored it in black plastic bags and saved it until I had all of the paper shredded.
4. Building the sculpture
Once I was done shredding the paper I took all of the bags and found a place that was neat and eligible to create and take pictures in. I found a scenery that was casual and clean enough to have emphasis on the piece. I gathered the plastic bags and compressed them tightly so that the paper inside would stick together without using any other component. I carefully took each bag of paper and opened it and carefully dragged it across the floor, using a tight motion I was able to release the paper out of the bag in the form that I anticipated. As I did this with all of the bags I placed them on a circle and I moved some of them around to make a chair like figure, after I had all of them I decided to put one of them in the middle which would represent the cushion of where one would sit at on a chair.
Once I was done shredding the paper I took all of the bags and found a place that was neat and eligible to create and take pictures in. I found a scenery that was casual and clean enough to have emphasis on the piece. I gathered the plastic bags and compressed them tightly so that the paper inside would stick together without using any other component. I carefully took each bag of paper and opened it and carefully dragged it across the floor, using a tight motion I was able to release the paper out of the bag in the form that I anticipated. As I did this with all of the bags I placed them on a circle and I moved some of them around to make a chair like figure, after I had all of them I decided to put one of them in the middle which would represent the cushion of where one would sit at on a chair.
Artist Inspiration
Felix Gonzales-Torres
Visual Artist 1957-1996 |
Felix Gonzalez-Torres has focused throughout his career on political and social issues which has made the meaning of his work overlap with his private and public life. As a gay artist he was able to bring attention to his community through his artwork, this forces the viewer to reflects on the meaning. Gonzalez-Torres was able to bring issues to the public and make them understand the significance of these issues and how much his community was affected by them. |
Felix Gonzalez-Torres b. 1957, Guáimaro, Cuba; d. 1996, Miami
“Untitled” (Public Opinion) 1991 Black rod licorice candies individually wrapped in cellophane, endless supply, ideal weight: 700 lbs (317.5 kg) The structure of this structure varies from a pile on a corner to a carpet like sculpture. This piece is rather grotesque and it portrays a heavy meaning. This piece is made out of 700-pound spill of black-rod licorice pieces. This sculpture represents the way that the public has decayed and how their point of view has a hostile hegemonic stance. Considering that this artwork was made in a conservative political environment, the sculpture also portrays the amount of censorship in America that neglects the opinion of the public. |
Felix Gonzalez-Torres
American, born Cuba, 1957–1996 "Untitled" (Portrait of Ross in L.A.), 1991 Candies individually wrapped in multicolor cellophane, endless supply Dimensions vary with installation; ideal weight 175 lbs. This sculpture was made to represent Ross, Gonzalez-Torres's last partner, which was unfortunately lost due to the AIDS epidemic. This piece weights approximately 150 pounds which is close to what Ross used to weight when he was healthy and happy. Gonzalez-Torres wanted to remember the joy and excitement that Ross had and he decided to show it in candy for which everyone could manipulate because Ross would always bring joy to everyone and the best way to do this was to use candy, which is an object that most people enjoy. |
Reflection
"2017" clearly exhibits the metaphor that I wanted to exhibit from the beginning, this is a success on my journey because I was able to combine my ideas and the ideas from my artist inspiration and create an ultimate piece that would bring everything together and the final result was an amazing piece in which the viewer could look at and wonder for a while. I think that my work forces the viewer to consider and reflect about their actions and the world, so that when they read my statement they are able to realize how impactful this sculpture is. Some things that were not as successful for this piece were the scenery and the lack of photography experience. I was not able to find a cleaner place to display my work, therefore I had to use what I had, which was not the best place to display "2017". Another issue with this piece was my lack of photography experience, I have not been able to have any type of photography practice prior to this, therefore I was not able to clearly capture the sculpture on a single picture. Overall I am leased with the way that I was able to bring my ideas to life and take this opportunity to express my opinions and feelings towards our society, "2017" clearly portrays the meaning that I intended to portray.
ACT Questions
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
2017 was inspired by two untitled pieces by Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Both of these sculptures portray a social and political meaning; "Untitled" (Public Opinion) with a grotesque meaning to represent the censorship that people experience in America, as in "Untitled" (Portray of Ross in L.A) portrays Gonzalez-Torres's lover who died due to the AIDS epidemic and all from the weight to the color of this piece was able to clearly portray Ross. This is exactly what I wanted my piece to portray, an issue in society that many don't want to encounter but it is present in our daily lives.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my research mainly describes the mood and tone of these sculptures. The author stated some historic facts but he mostly relied on emotion and opinion from the viewers.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I found that there are many issues in our world that we decide to ignore because we just don't want to deal with them. However, not everyone reserves their problems, as Gonzalez-Torres creates his art to share his opinion, I want to be able to share my opinion in a way that people can be able to fins their own opinion.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme that I focused on was economy and social classes. For my inspirational research I focused on statistics and the way that people interact with each other in certain citations.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences that I made while doing my research were that there are many artist, as Feliz Gonzalez-Torres, that are capable of sharing their opinions and social issues throughout their art and they are able to do this with metaphors, thus the viewer is forced to really think about the meaning and reflect about it.
2017 was inspired by two untitled pieces by Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Both of these sculptures portray a social and political meaning; "Untitled" (Public Opinion) with a grotesque meaning to represent the censorship that people experience in America, as in "Untitled" (Portray of Ross in L.A) portrays Gonzalez-Torres's lover who died due to the AIDS epidemic and all from the weight to the color of this piece was able to clearly portray Ross. This is exactly what I wanted my piece to portray, an issue in society that many don't want to encounter but it is present in our daily lives.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my research mainly describes the mood and tone of these sculptures. The author stated some historic facts but he mostly relied on emotion and opinion from the viewers.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I found that there are many issues in our world that we decide to ignore because we just don't want to deal with them. However, not everyone reserves their problems, as Gonzalez-Torres creates his art to share his opinion, I want to be able to share my opinion in a way that people can be able to fins their own opinion.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme that I focused on was economy and social classes. For my inspirational research I focused on statistics and the way that people interact with each other in certain citations.
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences that I made while doing my research were that there are many artist, as Feliz Gonzalez-Torres, that are capable of sharing their opinions and social issues throughout their art and they are able to do this with metaphors, thus the viewer is forced to really think about the meaning and reflect about it.