Tuesday, October 30, 2012

"When I start to repeat myself I get bored, so I am always trying something new." -A.M


Annette Messager :
i saw her work at the High Museum in Atlanta Georgia the other day and it drastically reminded me of my earlier works Structure and what i am currently working on with the examination of the mouth. So i decided to further look into the meaning of the piece and other works of hers.

"My Vows": inspired by the ritual offerings left beside altars in Roman Catholic churches, often in gratitude for answered prayers. Ultimately, they reflect an understanding of humanity that is not categorized by physical difference. My Vows may also be understood in relation to Messager's Catholic heritage; the work resembles the assembled votive offerings left at pilgrimage sites by the faithful, which often include accumulations of handwritten notes or miniatures of ailing limbs for which cures are being sought. The work's solemn reference is characteristic of the tension between lyricism and gravity that often informs Messager's art.
The path Messager chose instead was to embrace her gender, to become an artist who interpreted life - sex, love, beauty, pain, yearning, power - through the eyes of a woman. 
She wants to free women from the roles assigned to them by men, by the marketplace, and by society. And she tries to do so through satire and caricature, using the images and materials of everyday life.
She wants to free women from the roles assigned to them by men, by the marketplace, and by society. And she tries to do so through satire and caricature, using the images and materials of everyday life.
More controversially, in "The Approaches," she followed men through streets in order to photograph the crotches of their trousers.
"It was a way of treating men as objects when it's usually women who are treated as objects," Messager explained. "Men never stop checking out women's bottoms, breasts, everything."


 My Vows, 1988–1991. Photographs, colored graphite on paper, string, black tape, and pushpins over black paper or black synthetic polymer paint. Overall size approximately 356.2 x 200cm. Museum of Modern Art. © ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2010.

Thoughts on the mouth:

When we speak our own language, we don't think about “mouth mechanics” We don't think about how our jaw is moving, where we place our tongue, and how we position our teeth, etc. But try to pronounce a foreign word that has a sound which is not part of your own language – and suddenly there you are, aware that you have “a mouth full of teeth.


Main Parts of the Mouth

  1. Lips: Speech and sensory receptors
  2. Gums: Hold teeth in place3
  3. Teeth: Break down food4
  4. Tongue: used for speech, taste and moving food
  5. Uvula: Directs food away from the nasal cavity into the oropharynx
  6. Palate: Separates the oral cavity and nasal cavity3
  7. Tonsils: Help to fight infections4
What is the function of the mouth?

Mouth

The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts here as soon as you take the first bite of a meal. Chewing breaks the food into pieces that are more easily digested, while saliva mixes with food to begin the process of breaking it down into a form your body can absorb and use.

Human speech may have evolved:

researchers found that the oral-facial component of human speech mirrors the rhythm, development and internal dynamics of lip smacking, a friendly back-and-forth gesture performed by primates such as chimpanzees, baboons and macaques. The studies also show that the mechanics of primate lip smacking are distinct from those of chewing, similar to the separate mechanics of human speech and chewing.

These parallels suggest that in primates chewing and lip smacking — as with chewing and speech-related facial movement in humans — have separate neural controls, 
This research gives us insight into methods of exploring the neural basis of not only facial expression production but also its evolution and relationship to speech. Exploring the neural side of speech production and development can give us a handle on what can go wrong neurophysiologically in human communication disorders. We have few testable ideas about the neural mechanisms that go awry because there is very little work on the production side of communicative expressions.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-06-mouths-primates-facial-mechanics-human.html#jCp


Thought:

there is so much that can go wrong with the human mouth:
desise
teeth loss
etc.

But i have collected a group of mouths that are traditionally normal.....

Is the human mouth becoming something that we take for granted?
So many things can go wrong with the mouth why are we so quick to be stimulated on the surface of the device?
Challenge yourself to think about the mechanics of the mouth and what you are blessed to have.
What are we loosing when we abuse it? 
What are we then subjecting our health to?

To think it is gross
To think it is sexy
To abuse it:

1*Poor dental hygiene-

People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to those don't have periodontitis. 

most likely to suffer dementia

research that finds gum disease could make it harder to control your blood sugar, and that treating it helps improve diabetes symptoms.

Gum disease may increase your risk of getting respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, according to theJournal of Periodontology. The infections might be caused when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into your lungs, possibly causing your airways to become inflamed.  

 Other research finds that pregnant women with gum disease might have higher odds of miscarriage.


  • Oral and facial pain. pain may be largely due to infection of the gums that support the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, and advanced gum disease affect more than 75 percent of the U.S. population.
  • Problems with the heart and other major organs. Mouth infections can affect major organs. For example, the heart and heart valves can become inflamed by bacterial endocarditis, a condition that affects people with heart disease or anyone with damaged heart tissue.
  • Digestion problems. Digestion begins with physical and chemical processes in the mouth, and problems here can lead to intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders
A black hairy tongue is caused by too much bacteria or yeast growth in the mouth. The bacteria build up on tiny rounded projections called papillae. These lie along the surface of the tongue. Instead of shedding as they normally do, the papillae start to grow and lengthen, creating hair-like projections. They can grow to 15 times their normal length.



2*Use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, disease-

 Smoking plays a part in several diseases and lesions in the mouth, the most common being gum disease. The chance of dental implant failure is also more common among smokers than among non-smokers.

Any part of the mouth, nose or throat may be affected by cancer including the squamous epithelium: cells that form the lining of the mouth, nose, throat or voice box.

Cancer treatment can lead to severe fungal infections (candidiasis, called thrush) in the mouth. This can cause pain, difficulties in eating and longer hospital stays. Infection can sometimes spread through the body and become life-threatening.

Mouth cancer usually starts in the cells lining the mouth. The most common sites are the lips, tongue and/or floor of the mouth. Smoking and drinking alcohol are known risk factors. Mouth cancer is easily cured if treated in its earlier stages.
Dry mouth syndrome is when there is not enough saliva (spit) in the mouth. A dry mouth is a symptom of an underlying problem, rather than a disease in itself. Causes may include drugs or medication, dehydration, Sjogren's syndrome, infection, nerve problems and some cancer treatments. Dry mouth syndrome is also called xerostomia.


The tongue helps us to hold and direct the food and drink we swallow, while the taste buds contribute to the experience of food flavour. The tongue also helps to create the sounds for speech. Some disorders that affect the tongue include sore tongue, black hairy tongue and tongue-tie.

A mouth ulcer is the loss of part of the delicate tissue lining inside the mouth (mucous membrane). The most common cause is injury such as biting your cheek. Other causes include certain drugs, chemicals and infectious diseases such as herpes or thrush. In most cases, mouth ulcers are harmless and clear up in a few days.

Mouth sores can be caused by infection,injury or oral cancer

Unintentional drooling of saliva (sialorrhea) is a distressing symptom suffered by up to 25% of patients with motor neuron disease. The management of sialorrhea currently involves the use of suction, drug treatments and more invasive approaches,

Mucositis can have a very severe impact on a patient's ability to eat and drink. Nutritional support is an essential component of cancer treatment and helps maintain body weight.

A cold sore, or herpes simplex, is a skin infection that is caused by a virus.

While meth can cause this kind of rampant tooth damage in just months, what about other illegal drugs? 
Sadly enough, methamphetamines aren’t the only drugs that can have a significant negative impact on teeth.

heroin addicts often have cavities along the gum line as well as periodontal disease, because the drug causes a decrease in the production of saliva. Saliva protects the mouth,  neutralizing acids that cause cavities and providing lubrication reducing the retention of food debris.

cocaine can erode the tooth enamel. This also results in the exposure of teeth to the bacteria that can cause decay. And in terms of how it is used, cocaine is often rubbed on gums, leading to a very acidic mixture when combined with saliva, and one that is extremely detrimental to teeth.

ECSTASY who use this drug are prone to tooth grinding, which wears down tooth enamel in much the same way as those who grind their teeth at night. However, those who grind their teeth at night often wear a protective mouth guard at night to prevent this kind of damage to tooth enamel, while those who use ecstasy or other drugs that lead to tooth grinding are unlikely to do so. Other effects of ecstasy usage include jaw clenching and a dry mouth, and as with cocaine use, a dry mouth reduces saliva and its protective effect in the mouth.
Clearly, the bottom line is that illegal drugs are not only harmful to so many aspects of one’s life, but they can also have serious impact on areas related to one’s health that are barely thought about – until it’s too late.


Oral Fixation seems to be shapping up as:

 A light hearted examination of all things that can go right with the mouth. 
The fun and playful tasks that fuel and impact us and our peers.
Smiles. Kisses. Eating. Laughing. Talking.
Take this into consideration when we choose to misuse the vital machine of our body.
It is a main port to the body.
And all that can disfunction.

On a happier note:

Listen to : Let it Be -By: BlackMill

Pay attention to your health and the activities you partake in.

Your welcome.

-S

Saturday, October 27, 2012

WTF

Yup.
I know what I want to share with you all today,
But before i get there....

Kincaide Blackwood
Have you heard of him?
He lurks amongst us everyday.
Erotica works hmmm?
Okay. I'm hip.
But have you read one of his blogs?
I guess I am following him because it surfaced on my blog feed.


(PS to the blog creators: Stop trying to beat Facebook.  #youwontwin)

I dont like to read
But he said something about a suit and his "codename"
So i read the last 4 paragraphs.
slightly turned on and feeling threatened
His blogs...
or his life
has some serious shit.

1st of all:
 nice writing strategy
caught my attention.
quite seductive and provocative
(makes sense with your work)--duh

2nd of all:
 WTF
is this ur life?!
or are you just a great narrator.

3rd of all.....
If it is your life
Ur a freak!
....and i'm jealous.
That shit only happens in romance/killer novels
Why is life not like this for everyone?!

Kudos good sir.
..or demented sir.

Im not sure what to say...
But if the mood strikes
I may have to reopen that lusty little blog you call your....
LIFE
Curl up with my "book" and enjoy.

Word to the wise: #careful with all that throat choking.
Lets not hear about you on News Today.
...................................................................................................................................................

So now back to my dull life.
I've kept myself in the studio (nothing new there)
not having a life as usual....
And I am striving to get this mock up complete and printed for Monday's progress crit.

IM soooo annoyed.
The grid has to many squares
Too many verticals
Not enough square
Too few horizontals
I cant make this and that images work and fit and connect.
I want to bail.

But I wont.
   
But man dont you dare tell me that it looks good in class.
I mean okay thanks. But i really want to be pushed to higher levels.
I want to be the competition and inspiration.
I know there are certain elements within the grid that i LOVE
that others might hate. (tough)
but there is a lot that i need help constructing

1. finding similar elements to group together
2.How to separate  them amongst the grid
3.How to group them
4.What is working?
5.Sizing and breaking up options
REPETITION OPTIONS
6. and how to keep myself sane through this process..


I also want to post up in the library on Tuesday and spend the day researching Mouths

I looked into mounting options.
Right now i am leaning towards Sintera board with luster paper.
But because of cost.
I plan to buy my own roll 44"X100"  $150.00
and print my final grid as close toa 4'X5' as possible.
so it would be a 44" X 60" piece

Then have them mount it. $102.00
I am also trying to figure out the best hanging system for this grid.
I know it will need braces.
But i dont want to pay for them to make kleets. ($60)
Any advice there would be great too.

Keeping cost down would be wonderful as much as possible
as im a useless art kid without a job  and a thousand ideas at the moment.
RAMEN AND CRACKERS! mmmm mmmm mmmmm :)


So much help needed please
and to all u bloggers who are tired of my writing
look into something much juicer.

http://cadeblackwood.blogspot.com/2012/06/corporal-punishment-part-ii-plunge.html?zx=e37b5079dbc87f8e

 ^your welcome.


Monday, October 22, 2012

get my thoughts together for artist statement

what meaning do i want the reader to get out of my works:

- a study of the voluntary and involuntary movement and actions that we do daily with our mouths
-stylized
-beauty challenged through the undesirable

Saturday, October 20, 2012

I hate put put.

Feeling pretty good about my project.
Its coming together
I know there are issues to reevaluate.
But i am very happy with the images i have chose for the series.

 i just recently had another number of shoots
with my assistant Ervie.

Finally found a girl with braces,
also shot an individual with some age
And worked with enthused personalities for my project.
I am excited to start editing them.

I've been browsing different options of mounting
and believe that mounting on sintra or gaterboard will be a good place for me to start exploring.

I know I have a few images that I wanted to capture that did no work out the way i had hoped for.
I still plan to shoot my neighbors children, but that will probably be the last shoot for this quarters work.

I really want to focus now on different layout of my grid
to make it a capturing piece for the viewer
Playing with scale and color placement.

I plan to go through all my shoots thus far and see if there are any that may be good to re-incorporate.

I am excited for open studio,
but not excited for potentially selling Structure.
I know shoot me.
Why would I make work and not wasn't to apart with it
when its digital and i can reproduce it.
..Um because its a pain to mount!
But that's why I have a good team behind me to help.

I am very excited to hear the feedback on the work.
Kinda wish my name wouldn't be next to it
so i can be a fly on the wall.

I am annoyed at the fact that this coming quarters schedule keeps changing
But an enthused that i will now be able to take the lighting course with Forest
and hopefully be introduced to Allen Cooley.


-SEĆ«




Saturday, October 13, 2012

"That's What I Tell Myself When I Walk Into Your Critiques" -F.M


Wednesday October 10th 2012:

Mid Semester Critique has come and gone.
I thought it went pretty well overall,
I am glad to have had the help of my classmates
hone my eye in on what the meaning behind my Mouth series really is.
I believe that you all are right:
This series is a examination of what we voluntarily and involuntarily do with our mouths.
I was excited after critique to know what the pros and cons were of my works.
To learn what was working and what needed to be thought about more.
I encourage a tough critique.
I enjoy it.
And if you can make me mad
More power to you.

I am still pondering on different ways in which to mount this series
I am set on the grid
But opening my eyes to new ways to format a grid will be the time consuming part.
I feel that I will be printing allot of mock ups in the near future.
I also know that I need to order paper samples so I know what I want to print on.


Thursday October 11th 2012:

With the help of my attentive assistant
I was very productive.
I shot 6 different people
1. Sergei
2."McMuffin" <--- yup you know who you are
3.Sobia
4.Jay
5. Sausan
6.Miscellaneous girl Sarah

What an interesting and dynamic shoot that was.
I am glad that I took the time to look into phrases that
stimulated muscle movement
curtsy of Anchor Man
It helped me to know what to look for
and opened my eyes to the same phrases different effect on an individual

McMuffin sure does know how to hit the high note on "ShamPOOOOOOOO"
I had great models and a great time.
It was all in all a successful day
Having planned out the shoots
Tiring non the less...
And had to pay my assistant
(in wine)
But I am glad i did it!

I am disappointed that the Macro did not give me the results that I expected
And I am working again with the 18-55 mm lens.
there goes $60 but it was a learning experience... i guess.

I would like to set up at least one more shooting day in the manner that I previously did.
hopefully my assistant wont be tired of my guts by then...
Because i couldn't have done it without him.

Friday October 12th 2012:

It was Ben Rollins opening night!
It was nice to see what a turn out he had
and what i can hopefully plan for when it's my turn for my thesis show.
His framing and prints were beautiful and clean.
I truly appreciate that.
It was also nice to briefly speak with the artist
and to mingle with a few other fellow students.
AH! people finally know me...kinda... I don't feel like the new kid anymore... at least not to much.
All in all it was a great trip out minus the parking lot of idiots...
and the oh so sweet comment by McMuffin
stating that he must lower his standards when he comes into our critiques.

OKAY FOREST!!!
bring it!
.... with all due respect of course :)

Let the learning continue and this blogger blog on!!

Oh one more thing:

A word for the wise.... 
Don't be negative,
Date a photographer..
And see what develops.


^Get it?!... You're welcome.

-SME

Sunday, October 7, 2012

MACRO IN THA HOUSSSE!

I got my macro lens!
I am very excited to explore the possibilities for this series with my other lens.
As I was printing my shots our for mid critique I have already realised what i do and do not like.
I am definitely going to fill my grid in... reducing negative space between images.
And tweak some more color balances.
Not sure if the color was on me or the printer--- but im going with it being an user error.

I think that this week exposed me to lots of new art, concepts and possibilities to incorporate into my artwork.

From going on our field trip to the galleries and from my personal field trip to Flux.
I loved going to the galleries and getting a behind the scene look at what gallery owners really do and how they decide what art will be incorporated into what show.
It was also interesting to  me that the 3rd floor was storage... and not as tightly as i would expect it to be.

** i was very tempted to take a Jill Greenburg home with me that day**

It must be amazing to surround yourself with brilliant (and not so brilliant) art work on a day to day basis, allowing you to view and experience so many ins and outs of the gallery arts world.

Flux was ...a bit over the top for me.
To me, allot of the works presented either didn't interest me or were over the top.
"Over the top" in the sense that i felt like one of the "outsiders" saying "artist are weird, and this doesnt make sense"

On the other hand I truly enjoyed seeing our fellow SCAD'ian presenting some brilliant and unique works.
Standing in the middle of the room with beautiful voices in  orchastra in collaboration with nostalgic imagery was a very powerful moment.

I am excited to see what else I will be exposed to within the next few weeks. 
SCAD has already in the past 6 weeks thrown sooo much new information and unique art in my face,,, its no wonder that students walk out after two years as a completely differnt artist and art critic.