Up to Two (2020) – Journal

Term 2 – Idea development & Research

Rimini Protokoll

Marina Abramovic

Landscape of Madness

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer

Hito Steyerl

Nam June Paik

Bill Viola

Steve McQueen

Bruce Nauman

Expanded Cinema

Experimental Films

Short Films

Movie References

Proposal

My project Up to Two (2020)

WHERE WILL I MAKE IT? WHERE WILL I SHOW, PERFORM, OR PUBLISH MY PROJECT?

I can exhibit my work anywhere in an empty large space i.e. gallery space, warehouse.

WHEN WILL I MAKE IT? WHEN WILL IT BE SEEN?

There will be a private viewing of my work.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT TO MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MY CAREER RIGHT NOW?

This project is important to me as it touches on the subject of expression and identity and the illusion of control. We all have this identity that we believe is to be our truth, and so we adhere to that identity that we have given ourselves, or that have been projected onto us by the environment that we occupy. We feel the need to seek the truth of who we are and to control it. However, the obsession of trying to control our identity, whether that is to indulge ourselves or to please others, becomes the control over our own lives. Thus, there is an illusion that we control our identity but in actuality, we have no control over our own identity neither do we have any knowledge of what other people’s identities are. Identities are complex and evolving constantly. There is a wide spectrum that comes within identities and some parts are so hidden that even we don’t recognise ourselves. We only become aware of parts of ourselves when we are confronted with them. There is a window of identity that we reveal to ourselves and an even small window that we show to others. The feeling of vulnerability is scary and that’s one of the reasons that drive people in be in control of themselves. It is important to myself and to others because in today’s world, being in control of your life is the most praised and adored. Just on social media, influencers and celebrities are worshipped for having a life that they are in control of, whether that be in a successful career, an organised life. Social media feeds are overwhelmed with physically fit bodies, meal plans, perfect holidays and a happy life. This is far from the truth, and somehow society has been convinced to desire those lifestyles. In fact we have come to a point where we don’t even care for the real happiness, but settle to appear to have that happiness to others. We desire to look like were in control to others, that we fool ourselves in the process. We need to learn that the idea of control is false and ultimately detrimental. We need to learn to confront our identity and accept what we are. That is the only way we will learn to lose the desire of control and begin appreciating ourselves and others more. The more we appreciate ourselves, the more we become closer to our true selves.

HOW DOES THIS PROJECT CONNECT TO, DEPART OR BUILD ON PAST WORK?

This work relates to my past work on the sense of the engaging aspect. A lot of my work includes audience participation or engagement in some form or way. However, this work is departs from my work from the past as this is more of a personal topic. Previously, I have worked with subject matters that concerns the general wider society. As much as this topics relates to others aswell, this work is important and closer to me. In the past, I have found it difficult to make work that is personal to me and would rather much make work that can relate to everyone. However, I am trying to challenge that within my art and come to realise that what is personally connected to me, can also connect to others. Everyone will have a different interpretation of my work and I should learn to be more vulnerable in my work, in regards to personal subject matters.

HOW WILL YOUR WORK AND CAREER ADVANCE OR DEVELOP?

With this project, I would like to further develop the theme. My work currently talks about identity as a whole and the illusion of control. At the moment, I find the theme to be vague (my own doing) and as I said previously, I would want to be more vulnerable and specific. This means to be more particular in the aspect of identity, and maybe to explore how we try to control them. Aspects of identity I’m interested in and would want to explore is my cultural identity, and how relationships affect identity or how identity is built within a relationship. For development, I would want to put together another film, with more experimental filming techniques and within different settings. I would also explore audio more. In regards to me work, I would like to explore dual audio and experiment with how sound influences the concept.