Over break I planned to take the family portraits that I needed to go alongside the books, however once actually spending time with my extended family I knew that I could no longer work on this project. The books were turning into negative interpretations of my relationships with my family, and that was not what I was going for. The family portraits weren't what I wanted to do, it didn't feel right and I spent most of my time brainstorming what I could do to tie everything together.
It wasn't until I was looking through records at The Exclusive Company that I finally got the inspiration I so desperately needed. I came across a Fanfarlo album and the portraits of the band on the back of the album grabbed my attention.
Completely intrigued, I went home and searched for more possible album artwork from them. I came across this image, and from there I knew I had to change my project completely.
So, no more books...which I can't say that I'm very sad about; they were starting to drive me crazy. Although I am starting from scratch essentially, all of the family photos that I gathered I can still use in the patterns that I make, so it's not so bad. I just wish that I had the time to construct over break, rather than two months before our show.
What have I done with this newfound inspiration? I've been experimenting with cutting apart photos, rearranging them in patterns, both in photoshop and by hand. This is what I have so far. I'm working with the idea that who we are is a composite of bits and pieces from each member of our family. We hold onto certain memories and objects that personify our loved ones, whether they are alive, deceased, distant, or your best friend. I am much more excited to continue this work. It is the perfect way to comment on the relationship of my family without sounding like an angsty teen writing in her diary.
(At the moment I can't find the experimental collage piece that I showed for critique. Once I find it I'll scan it in and post it here.)
