Genessy’s Project

 4 Quotes

• “Debord defines the spectacle as the “autocratic reign of the market economy.”

•  “Although the image encapsulates Debord’s contempt for consumer culture, it reductively implies that his work was mediaphobic.”

• “Under Mr. Hollein’s leadership, the museum is announcing a turn toward the new and the global.”

• “They were executed at full scale in plaster, but a funding shortfall prevented their realization in limestone.”

2 Images

300 Words

My project discusses the themes that we have been discussing in a way in which it has pieces and colors that symbolize many artists. First and foremost the chain represents repetition which is what we encounter when using stereotypes and gender specific roles. Many individuals live their lives today with women serving men and children, just like the old times. All they do is cook and clean and care for the children while the male works. The chain piece falls into place here because this practice gets passed on to the younger ones throughout generations. Little boys are taught that they do not have to look after their own children nor lift a plate while a little girl is taught that before she can sit down and eat she must attend to her husband first. Advertising, fashion and media play a huge role in identity, cultural, and societal norms because they display what “should be” Advertisements such as billboards show women with makeup encouraging females to go out and buy them almost as if it is essential to be beautiful. Fashion and media portray size 0 models that wear very revealing clothing. These strategies play a role in the young minds because they grow up to think that without these materialistic things they are ugly and unworthy. It is unfortunate that those who follow the advertisements and media lose their identity trying to find what society thinks is right. This also has a lot to do with the location one is living in, depending on what is trending at the moment. This influences the views of ourselves and others by not allowing us to be who we were meant to be. You begin comparing yourself to others and grow envy and hatred because they may be or look like what you want. These themes are addressed in the works of the artists we have learned in many ways. For instance, Andy Warhol was a shy person who painted himself with celebrities even though he wasn't one, this is the media's fault for glamorizing how amazing it is to be famous. Amy Sherald on the other hand paints individuals living a normal life and being themselves which we don't owe to advertisements. 

    In the creation of my project I used paint as well as markers, magazines, and printouts, all of which were very interesting to use. I centered myself of course because it is a self portrait. As previously mentioned the chain represents repetition and how ways of living does not change and simply gets passed down through generations. The Crown above my head is a small representation of Michel Basquiat who includes one in almost all of his paintings. The glasses over my eyes are a symbol of Andy Warhol who also used glasses, the flowers are a small clue to address Amy Sheralds painting of Former President Barack Obama. I also included small cutouts of cameras which are what Amy used in order to create her work and the target to exemplify how each artist had one. I also have a few words that I believed represented some artists as well as myself such as ambitious and driven. I even included images of beautiful African american Individuals which may go hand in hand with Kehinde Wiley’s work. As you can see all of the latest artists that we have learned about inspired me to do my project the way I did and that is why I attempted to incorporate as many as I can.