Image Curation
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Image Credits: shutterstock
I have chosen this artwork for the reasons that it is 1) done in watercolour and 2) contains a separation of colour from the primary object of a monochrome hot air balloon.
Firstly, using an artwork style of image, complete with watercolour, is in line with the social issue we are proposing — the suppression of creativity in children due to parental pressure. Artworks are often seen as the expression of creativity, and the need for watercolour to be constantly reapplied to create a lasting image can be interpreted such that creativity is an attribute that requires constant refining.
Secondly, these 2 qualities explain our group’s chosen method of representation. We intend to create contrast between the monochrome and colour by prompting indexical references. Monochrome is often characterised as dull, uninteresting and sombre using the subjective method of interpreting the visual cue of colour. Conversely, bright colours in the above photo are associated with vibrancy, energy and dynamism. The hot air balloon is a vehicle of flight which our group is using as a concept.
Image Credits: Burnt-Siena on Deviant Art
http://burnt-siena.deviantart.com/art/Umbrella-303393872
This second artwork also tries to illustrate the point of the first curated image, but adds on 2 other distinct concepts that our group has conceptualised.
The first is the concept that the vivid imaginations of children often allow them to think beyond the limits of physical conventions, and in this case, the ability of an umbrella to give flight. The umbrella is a symbolic sign because prior interaction with visual material that suggests its affiliation with flight is needed (e.g. Mary Poppins). Our group further proposed other common objects associated with flight (by cultural reference) such as capes (Superman), brooms (witches) and fairy wings (fairies) etc. These all require some prior form of knowledge and some inferences.
The second concept that is captured in this artwork here is the “washing” of creativity from children. By placing elements such as the boots, the umbrella and the flowing colours, we again see the engagement of indexical signs to suggest that rain has occurred and the flowing colours on the ground is due to the rain’s wash on the coloured umbrella. This erosion of creativity is central to the social issue of parental pressure explored by our group.
