ADDING COLOUR

As I felt my work was looking too similar to the week before, I wanted to develop it further by adding colour. This gave me more to work with and made my work more passionate as red symbolises rage, energy, and power.

As well as this, I took inspiration from my final project of last weeks work, using straight lines.

Speaking to my fellow classmates, a lot of them commented on the fact that the layout of my work appeared very manic in itself. I wanted to embrace this, and attempted to fill as much space as I could with new work. I layered pieces over each other to emphasise this messy and busy look.

FURTHER DIRECTION

At this point, I was worried I had exhausted the direction I was going in. I felt I hadn’t done enough development and that this weeks work was too similar to last week. My work had progressed slightly by using new techniques with this subject matter, but I wasn’t sure where to go next and found myself feeling stuck. After receiving some feedback, I decided to explore the theme of mania more. I also wanted to change media and explore more with video as I enjoyed trying it the week prior. I made a mindmap of words associated with the title ‘C’est la manie’ (It’s mania).

I then did some research at home on the symptoms of a manic episode. I watched interviews and vlogs of those who have experienced a manic episode, and how they acted during this time, as well as reading mental health websites. Along with this, I also thought back to my life last year, and the some of the thoughts I had struggled when I felt manic. I also researched into art centered around the themes of mental health, destruction, and mania.

INSPIRATION

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UNTITLED – CLIFFORD OWENS

FINAL OUTCOME

My final video uses media and imagery from my work throughout the past two weeks. For example, I use acrylic to paint red lines and make handprints over my face, similar to in my non video work. I also use some of the same techniques, such as using string dipped in paint, but on my body instead of paper. My actions are to visually resemble the feelings and physical/mental affects a manic episode can have on a person. I use myself as the subject matter to keeping with my ‘personal’ theme.

I was very inspired by the research I did of those who have experienced manic episodes. One story I heard told of how they felt as though they couldn’t get their thoughts out fast enough and that the rest of the world was going too slow – this is depicted in my outcome by a sped up video of myself speaking, and the cars/road shots. This woman also mentioned how she never slept, and instead would spend her time obsessing over subjects like religion. I related to this as in the times I felt manic, I would not stop thinking about certain dangerous and intense acts and subjects. Some of these acts are flashed in my final outcome video.

Another woman said that she felt an immense pressure in her head and ears, and that it was overwhelming. My initial thought was to video balloons popping, but thought this was to obvious.. I instead used a video of myself distorting my face by rubbing the side of my head and ears layered over the talking video I previously mentioned. I thought this would symbolise the emotional and physical strain of a manic episode well.

This has been my first time experimenting with video in art, and although I found it tricky at times, I have really enjoyed the process. It is definitely something I’m going to continue doing in my work throughout the year.