Disney Nightmare 2

After finishing my first image I realized my image was not the correct size I was supposed to be working with. This is the more compact version. I don't like it as much because it feels cramped to me. I don't know if it looks that way to an objective viewer, but it does to me because I literally was trying to cram as much as I could into the designated space. 

Disney Nightmare

This was my original digiscape. There are a few creepy creatures embedded throughout the image. It's hard to tell from seeing the image at this size, but there are ghosts in the sky, a skeleton crawling on the ground, and a man giving an evil gaze in the reflection of the water.

Digiscape Artists Statement

The digiscape I created resembles the landscape of a childhood nightmare. I began with an image of a Disney World amusement park. Initially, the image looked like it was supposed to portray a place of fun and magic. When I examined the photograph more carefully I noticed some things that gave it a bit of a creepy aura. The first thing I noticed was a big, dark, looming cloud in the sky. Then, the ferris wheel and Mickey Mouse rides reminded me of a circus with clowns. These small details inspired me to make, what is supposed to be a wonderful land, turn dark and scary. I also played with the idea of how Disney is meant to entertain children. I thought it would be ironic to make Disney World a place that embodies everything children tend to be afraid of.

To make my image of Disney World look more as if it were part of a nightmare, I began by altering the color of the sky. I made is a dark, yellowish-green color, which is often associated with zombies and ghosts and scary stories. To give my digiscape more depth. I extended the cloud and connected it to an image of a giant hand reaching towards the viewer. Then, I found an image of an evil Mickey Mouse and replaced it with the one on the rollercoaster. I added in some demonic looking creatures in obscure places so when the viewer does notice them it’s startling. I also added in some dark tree branches on the sides to give it more of a creepy feel.  

Final Infinite Print

For my final print I did some further research into the artist, Barbara Kruger. She did some pieces that comment on the mainstream and how it affects us. I used her style as inspiration to take my image further. In her artwork she makes bold statements in white, Futura Bold Oblique type on a red background, which she combines with a black and white image. 

Barbara Kruger
Untitled (I shop therefore I am)
111" by 113"
photographic silkscreen/vinyl
1987

I turned my image into a vector so I could make it bigger, then made it completely black and white and added the phrase "I see, therefore I believe" in the same style Barbara Kruger uses. I chose this phrase because I believe it describes how when we see people sporting high fashion labels we believe they are high class. It can also refer to the consumers of this product because they believe they can achieve a greater status if they are seen associated with a designer label. The girl in my final print is so blinded by this concept that she can't see that it shouldn't be just about the labels. There are tons of knock-off products that relatively low class people could afford, so buying designer products does not mean they actually will be of a higher class. If anything, they will be poorer from spending so much money for the label. 

Final Sketch

For my final print I used a picture I took of myself wearing sunglasses. I then added in the images I had of the designer brands and made them into a collage which I placed within the lens of the sunglasses. I made the photo black and white because I didn't want the face to be identified as anyone in particular. I also associate find that black and white photographs tend to be associated with sophistication, which is another facade people put on to appear high class. I kept a little bit of color in the lens so it would catch the viewer's eye and keep the focus on the lens, not the person wearing the glasses.

Sketches

I began this print by working with images of designer labels.

Infinite Print Artist Statement

For my infinite print I wanted to comment on how society seems to have this obsession with brand name fashion. People will spend hundred to thousands of dollars on items just for the label. These high end brands have become a symbol of high class and wealth. When we see people wearing designer brands it is typically assumed that that person has lots of extra money to spend on luxury items. It's fascinating how much people will spend, mainly for the purpose of showing off their economic status. I believe that in theory, when people make the choice to buy something for the brand name they are essentially buying themselves a high class reputation, whether they actually have it or not. For my infinite print I want to create an image of a girl who appears to be blinded by all the high end fashion labels. I want to show how people will get absorbed in the hype over designer brands, when in the end it should just be about the function of the product rather than its label.