EVOLUTION
1. Construct a butterfly as a central composition in any medium
2. Ask those around you "what a butterfly represents?"
3.Fill negative space with components of feedback
4. Share artwork for public to see and interpret
The Process:
Project Overview
My proposed artist intervention project is a mixed-media artwork that explores the complexities of cultural identity, and the struggles of balancing personal heritage with societal expectations. Through the creation of a large-scale butterfly image on canvas, I aim to communicate the themes of transformation and resilience that migrants often face. The butterfly, as a symbol of change, serves as the central motif like how it was used in my first project, reflecting the journey of migration and the adaptation required to fit into new cultural realms. The butterfly will be drawn and collaged with paint and construction papers, whereas the negative space within the canvas will be used by others to reflect.
I have chosen this topic because migration is a deeply relevant issue in today's globalized world. People are constantly moving across borders, and many face discrimination, and the challenge of preserving their cultural identity while integrating into unfamiliar places. The intersection of new societies and cultural upbringing is fraught with misrepresentations. This project allows me to express these struggles visually and provide a platform for others to contribute their own experiences. My ultimate objective is to make art that expands beyond my circle.
The form of outreach for this project is a participatory conversation that invites the audience to develop an artwork from shared ideas. By combining a canvas collage with a participatory input component, I aim to facilitate a dialogue between the artwork and the viewer. The collage will feature pieces—each fragment representing a unique experience or cultural marker. The exterior of the butterfly will be left open for the audience to share their thoughts on what "change" means to them.
Message for the Audience
The primary message of this project is the importance of empathy, understanding, and open dialogue in a world that is increasingly divided by cultural, racial, and national borders. The piece speaks to the migrant experience, where the concept of change is not only a personal journey but also a collective challenge to confront biases and stereotypes. The butterfly, both delicate and resilient, embodies the idea that transformation can be both beautiful and difficult, but it is always necessary.
Audience Engagement and Feedback
The outreach and engagement of the audience will take place through the display of the artwork in a public space, specifically as an outdoor installation. The interactive aspect will involve providing markers or pens for visitors to write/draw as they please. This participatory element allows direct confrontation, making their voices an integral part of the artwork. The act of writing encourages dialogue between people from diverse backgrounds.
The feedback I expect to receive will likely vary, with individuals offering personal reflections on their own experiences of migration, transformation, and adaptation to new cultural environments. The collaborative nature of the project ensures that the piece evolves over time, as each person adds their own interpretation of what change means.
Professional Aspirations and Portfolio
This project fits into my professional aspirations as an artist who is committed to using my work as a means of social engagement and cultural reflection. It is aligned with my desire to create art that is not only visually compelling but also addresses important issues such as migration, identity, and social justice. As a professional, I aim to expand my portfolio with works that reflect my interest in interactive, community-driven art. This project will serve as a significant example of how art can serve as a platform for dialogue and reflection, encouraging both individual and collective engagement with critical issues.
Ultimately, this intervention will not only contribute to my portfolio but also establish my reputation as an artist who creates meaningful work that addresses pressing social issues.
Four Artists as Inspiration
Yoko Ono- Specifically for her cut piece. I have great admiration for her comfort being on stage in a vulnerable position. I want to use fabrics and pieces of clothing to create a deeper connection with the audience.
Shaun Leonardo- Although Leonardo is known for his work exploring masculinity and race, I find inspiration for this piece from a performer’s perspective. Shaun Leonardo allows his performance and actions to generate a focal point without much explanation. I aspire to do the same for my intervention.
Marina Abramovic- I find it fascinating how Abramovic explores the psychic relationship between the performer and the mind. She allows audiences to participate without any consequence, heightening creativity and the urge to contribute.
Joseph Beuys- He uses materiality to convey messages. Specifically, with his “End of the 2oth Century” piece using rocks to depict corpses from war experiences. I aim to do the same with the Butterfly Motifs and fabrics to carry messages across space and time.
Three Quotes
“We make sense of our world through symbols and stories at least as much as we do through facts and figures.”
This quote emphasizes the power of storytelling and symbolism in shaping our understanding of the world, suggesting that emotions, experiences, and narratives often resonate more deeply than mere data. I am inspired by this quote because I value emotional connection with my piece.
“Artists and activists are always operating within a cultural context. To be heard and understood, an activist needs to know how to use popular culture, but they also need to know how to transform it so that it speaks to and for their own cause.”
Artists must not only engage with the prevailing cultural context but also subvert it to amplify their own message, ensuring it resonates with, and drives change in society. Interpretation is key, and I value others’ interpretations for the outcome of this project.
“We are always drawing from repositories of words, images, and meanings that already exist.”
Nothing is original. The only exciting thing about contemporary art is that it is up to artists to be resourceful and push concepts further to communicate messages.
Research
Shaun Leonardo. Art21. (n.d.). https://art21.org/artist/shaun-leonardo/
Marina Abramović. Art21. (n.d.-a). https://art21.org/artist/marina-abramovic/
Force, T. L., Lescaze, Z., & Hass, N. (2020, October 15). The 25 most influential works of American protest art since World War II. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/t-magazine/most-influential-protest-art.html
Art as activism: How protest art challenges the status quo: MyArtBroker: Article. MyArtBroker. (n.d.). https://www.myartbroker.com/collecting/articles/art-as-activism
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