Representation of the Self
My final work is a 4.5*6 inch (a postcard size), double sided colored card. The above images are the two sides of the card respectively. This totally consists of 15 photos of myself. The whole process was conducted on computer by Adobe Photoshop.
The big image on the left is based on a photo taken on a long open escalator (at universal studio, LA). In this photo, I was taking picture of the guy who was taking at me simultaneously. This eventually tended to be a really cool angle of the view, since for any viewer who was looking at the picture, I was taking picture of him/her. Consequently, the sentence “Smile ^_^ you’re on my picture!” became a best interpretation of this image, as well as to get a strongest and most dramatic interaction between viewers and the card. As for the technical part, I applied desaturation, distortion, and blurring to the surroundings to make a distorted and extended visual impact of the image, leaving only focus on my upper part of body. Also, the round shaped beams of the open escalator looks kinda like a time tunnel; people are taking the time tunnel escalator through the time and space, from the past to the future.
You might think this interpretation kind of crazy… However, I am just eager to convey an idea by this image to the viewers, which is: get ready for being taken at each moment! This is also the reason I added that sentence on. Life is short, and every moment in our life is precious and memorable.
The image on the right (will be on the back side of the card) contains 14 pictures of myself. Each one was carefully selected to present a different expression, motion, figure, angle, and visual effect. The top-left one was taken at front door of universal studio, LA. We were making a bunch of cool poses in front of the famous universal ball, and this one made an interesting visual illusion that I was embracing the ball. The top-right one was taken by one of my best friends last summer, at Niagara fall. We were taking a boat down into the fall. When I was busy taking picture of the fall, she took this snap shot of me. The bottom-left was taken inside Montreal Notre-Dame Basilica. The magic colorful light on floor was the reflection of the window paintings. When I saw the light, I couldn’t help to keep it into my camera as well as my feet – as a witness of me with the beautiful light. …
Each picture tells a story, treasurable and memorable. There is the true me in each picture, either from others’ eye or from myself. In this work, I am presenting the colorful “myself” as well as celebrating the memory of those meaningful moments. And, what’s more important for you, the viewer, is I AM TAKING PICTURE OF YOU~ So, let’s get ready every moment for it!
--Han