We were assigned a project which relates to a heritage of our choice. From 3 concepts we explore, we must execute one in a medium of our choice.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Investigate conceptual approaches in art & design through contextual research.
2. Develop a conceptual approach within an art & design project through experimentation.
3. Present a conceptual work of art & design, based on research and experimentation.
4. Evaluate own work and the work of others in relation to historical and contemporary precedents.
Concept Explorations
Choice of Heritage:
Because my ethnicity is Chinese-Indonesian, I grew up being more familiar with my Chinese roots. Growing up in a national plus school, I was often celebrating Chinese traditions and learning more about the cultural aspect of my Heritage. Therefore, I choose to explore Chinese Heritages.
3 Concepts:
Chinese Calligraphy
Mooncake Festival
Chinese Zodiac
Chinese Calligraphy
Chinese calligraphy has always been more than simply a tool for communication, it is an artistic culture at an age of ballpoint pens and computers. Indeed, calligraphy is no longer the basic tool of intellectuals and officials but has become the preserve of professional artisans and amateur enthusiasts.
Many ceremonies that mark national celebrations and religious rituals incorporate the practice and calligraphy has itself proved influential on modern art, architecture and design. In its distinctive Chinese form, calligraphy offers an important channel for the appreciation of traditional culture and for arts education.
Why is it so special?
it was viewed as the supreme visual art form, was more valued than painting and sculpture, and ranked alongside poetry as a means of self-expression and cultivation.
Mooncake Festival
Ancient Chinese emperors worshiped the moon in autumn to thank it for the harvest. The ordinary people took the Mid-Autumn Festival to be a celebration of their hard work and harvest. Nowadays, people mainly celebrate the Moon Festival as a time for family reunions.
the festival comes with the folklore of Chang E and her rabbit, She was a Goddess who was banished from earth then lived on the moon.
Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese zodia or sheng xiao, is a repeating cycle of 12 year represented by animals. In order, they are Rat, Ox Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog Pig.
The Chinese Zodiac originated from the mythology of 'the race'. The Jade Emperor ordered the animals to race in a marathon which will determine the order of the zodiac animals.
Final Concepts
Chinese Calligraphy
Execution choices:
Makeup Calligaphy
Calligraphy Painting
Calligraphy Makeup
Translating Chinese Calligraphy Makeup as a medium, using Chinese characters and elements as decoration with the Calligraphy being the focal point.
Calligraphy Painting
Incorporating Chinese Calligraphy with painting with elements which were often used in Chinese paintings.
Final Execution: Makeup Calligraphy
Background on Chinese Calligraphy:
Chinese calligraphy has always been more than simply a tool for communication, it is an artistic culture at an age of ballpoint pens and computers. Indeed, calligraphy is no longer the basic tool of intellectuals and officials but has become the preserve of professional artisans and amateur enthusiasts.
Many ceremonies that mark national celebrations and religious rituals incorporate the practice and calligraphy has itself proved influential on modern art, architecture and design. In its distinctive Chinese form, calligraphy offers an important channel for the appreciation of traditional culture and for arts education.
Diving deeper into its origins, the Chinese calligraphy has been existing for more or less 1000 years. Calligraphy was used as a mere tool to write down ideas and information as you would with a pencil and paper. Difference is, Calligraphy has its own unique art form where you use a special brush (the mao bi), ink cakes (mo), and a special paper. Chinese calligraphy has brought upon great evolutions of paperweights, ink stones, and seal carvings. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Chinese calligraphers started to develop their own styles with there being more artistic freedom. Wen Zhengming (1470–1559), Zhang Ruitu (1570–1641), Zhu Yunming (1460–1527), and Huang Daozhou (1585–1646) are a few of the most popular calligraphers back in the day. Scholars began to draw inspiration from the ancient works' vast materials recorded in clerical and seal script during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).
Background on Makeup:
Makeup, as we know it, has only been commercially available in the last 100 years, but applying decoration to the face and body may be one of the oldest global social practices. From Egyptian and Classical times up through the Victorian age and golden era of Hollywood, and also the cutting-edge makeup science of today and tomorrow.
Face Paint explores the practical and peculiar reasons behind makeup’s use, the actual materials employed over generations, and the glamorous icons that people emulate. Commonly, people now use makeup as a way to accentuate their features. However, many still use it for traditional events, cinematic industries, Broadway performances, and many more.
CORELATION
Painting and Self Expression
Both Make Up and Chinese calligraphy have their own historical background, but they do have a similarity which they share. Chinese calligraphy is often mentioned as a supreme visual art form a gateway for self expression and self cultivation. Make Up is no different from that. In addition, chinese calligraphy is more similar to painting than writing. In conclusion, they both are similar to painting but in a unique canvas.
GOAL
Introduce: many are not familiar with chinese calligraphy as an art form. I am eager to cater towards people who are foreign to chinese culture so they are able to understand this new art form
Educate: I personally feel as if make up is a good way to educate people on this specific heritage for it is visually appealing and trendy. People can know how chinese is very different from western calligraphy.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Non-Chinese People
Gen Z : 15 - 25 years-old
People who are foreign to Chinese Culture
EXECUTION
COMBINING THE TWO ELEMENTS Through make up, I am aiming to create calligraphy on my face as the canvas. In the past I have created something similar as shown on the picture. However now I wish to incorporate more elemets which resonates with classic Chinese illustrations. The writing will be simplified, using a personal touch as a font (most likely similar san serif) of a simple quote in han zi (Chinese characters).
END RESULT : - Video process with voice over explaining the beauty of calligraphy - Photo results of the actual look
Sketches
Exploration Video
Video Summary
Final Video
Photoshoot
INSTAGRAM POST
As for publication, I decided to post the photos and video results on my make up instagram @yourlildahlya (https://www.instagram.com/tv/CUfEbsUrSiL/?utm_medium=copy_link)
Feedback
Self evaluation:
This project has been a fun ride, I learned much more about my own culture and how it came about. I am very pleased with the outcome and how I handled this assignment. I received many good feedbacks too. My culture has always been a part of my self identity, I am more than happy to finally be able to translate that both to my assignment and personal content posts. I hope to continue expressing my heritage through my artwork in the future.
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