vertigo
Medium: block print
Size: 22.86cm x 15.24cm
completed: october 2015
exhibition text Vertigo is a piece that focuses on the theme of obsession inspired by the modern art movement known as "Op Art". Created using the block printing technique, I wanted to convey a sense of "vertigo" or off-balance in the piece with the asymmetrical black and white lines and using square shapes inside a rectangular canvas. Vertigo is often defined as being a sensation of whirling or a loss of balance, in which I wanted to relate to the obsession of maintaining and living a perfect, "balanced" lifestyle. Many, including myself, tend to be obsessed with living up to this ideal and often feel as if they have failed if they cannot achieve this. This piece is intended to convey the feeling of vertigo, and how I experience this when I feel as though I've lost balance in different aspects of my life.
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Artistic inspiration
When I first learned that we would be completing a block print piece and how to create one, I was instantly drawn to the works of Bridget Riley. Riley is a very well known Op Artist who frequently used black and white lines and shapes to create her earlier optical illusion pieces. In her works, such as Movement in Squares, she creates black and white square shapes resembling to a checkerboard that get thinner in size towards the middle. The illusion to this technique makes the eye think that the squares are almost falling inwards. I was inspired by this piece because I also wanted to convey this similar illusion of falling or off-balance. I was also inspired by an optical illusion I found online. Unfortunately, the piece did not include a title or artist, but I wanted to use it as inspiration because I thought it perfectly suited the theme that I wanted to convey. This illusion includes asymmetrical black and white lines that form square shapes. I was inspired by this illusion as well because I wanted to also include an asymmetrical design to my piece to further convey the theme of off-balance or "vertigo".
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Meaning
The pressure to maintain a balanced lifestyle is definitely apparent at this point in my high school career. From completing schoolwork on time, to maintaining a good GPA, to handling a part-time job, having a social life, spending time with family, and completing chores. All of these different aspects seem to constantly pile on top of each other, making it difficult to equally balance each of these things out. What has definitely become my worst habit is putting more emphasis and importance in some of these aspects more than the others. Even with this habit, I constantly find myself obsessing over how I want to live the ideal balanced lifestyle. I wanted to portray this obsession in my piece Vertigo with the use asymmetrical black and white lines and square shapes inside a rectangular canvas. With this asymmetry, I wanted the piece to be relateable to those who also struggle with balancing out their lifestyle.
Research
Since this was my first time ever creating a block print on a linoleum canvas, I thought it would have been best to research online for some tips and to learn more about the process:
- A linoleum print results when a piece of linoleum has pieces cut out of it, is then inked and is finally printed
- A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed
- The cut areas can then be pulled from the backing. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller or (called a brayer), and then impressed onto paper or fabric.
- The actual printing can be done by hand or with a press
planning/process
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Planning:
I originally had a completely different idea when beginning the block printing process. I at first wanted to do an image of an open mouth with an eyeball inside to represent the obsession of fantasy and reality. I then realized that this idea would most likely come off the wrong way to others. I also knew it would be hard to relate this concept to culture and I didn't want to have my piece inspired by an art movement I have already used previously. So I ended up deciding against this idea and swayed more towards Op Art and conveying the theme of balance. Process:
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reflection
The block printing experience has been an interesting process overall. Being the first block print I've ever created, I definitely had a few struggles and fails that I learned from. With my first block printing design, my biggest struggle was trying to do intricate and smaller designs with a larger ended carving tool. While I did realize that there are smaller designed tools specifically used for these intricate details, I ended up learning this too late and my first design didn't work out. While I did end up liking the design for my final piece, I'm not completely satisfied with the end result. The lines on my final block print didn't turn out as clean as I wanted, ironically making my piece look too asymmetrical. My biggest struggle with completing my final block print design was having good craftsmanship. Since I was already behind when I began carving and printing my final design I ended up doing it kind of sloppily. My canvas wasn't completely even and ended up having a lot of holes through it. Even with these struggles I did enjoy creating the block print, and I am proud that I was able to create a new design with a new artistic/cultural inspiration in the time that I did.
works cited
http://www.op-art.co.uk/bridget-riley/
https://www.pinterest.com/richambrose/artist-bridget-riley/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Linoleum-Block-Printing/
http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/lino.shtml
https://www.pinterest.com/richambrose/artist-bridget-riley/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Linoleum-Block-Printing/
http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/lino.shtml