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©2006-2009 `cryptorchid
:iconcryptorchid:

Artist's Comments

my first year productions final.
I put a lot of effort into this project and am holding my breath waiting for my grade. eeep.
five diptychs
the details if you're interested:

part one: [link]
part two: [link]
part three:[link]
models: Daniela & Alex (love! love! thank you both so much.)
camera: minolta srt 100
film: kodak portra, tungsten balanced iso 100
lighting: two large floods, two flats to reflect
exposure: f5.6 1/30
printing: f5.6 @ 50s c: 0 y: 82 m: 90
post: levels + dust removal + burning & dodging + after-shoot drunken shenanigans



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


A Girl's Guide to Self-Destruction
a satirical illustrated instructional.

I wanted to explore the idea that negative coping mechanisms are products of suggestion, results of media or peer pressure, that these behaviours are learned and promoted by outside, fringe influences.
We’re raised to believe that we are easily influenced by others, that there is a kind of lemming-like basis in decision making when it comes to self-destruction.
We’re told not to associate with people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, who are promiscuous or harm themselves, instead we’re encouraged by the media and pseudo-psychological experts to live our lives by whatever new age, pop-lit, self-help book is popular at the time. I wanted to reverse the roles of accepted mainstream and suspect outsider influence; what if the self-help book/article was instead a cheery, easy to follow guide to self-destruction?

A deeper facet of this concept is my belief that this downward spiral is inherent to many living creatures, a part of the collective unconscious.
The question I ask is: do we abuse ourselves because we are exposed to the idea of self-abuse, or is the drive to abuse sub-conscious, and the method by which we harm the only conscious decision susceptible to suggestion?

The patterns of self-destructive behaviour can be traced back to this simple sub-conscious need to express, and cope with misery in whatever way makes the pain, physical or psychological, dim a little. Which is not to say that because these urges are naturally occurring, that they are healthy, on the contrary, they are simply not symptomatic of bad influences and are instead actual symptoms indicating deeper problems, ones requiring psychiatric treatment.
And in these coping mechanisms, these forms of controlled self-destruction, there is a certain pride to be found. Satisfaction at a job well done.

and thank you if you actually read all that. I so appreciate it. :heart:

Comments


love 0 0 joy 0 0 wow 0 0 mad 0 0 sad 0 0 fear 0 0 neutral 0 0
:iconmyriam:
yes, that was a lot to read.... but it's all worth it. your final is great!
:iconwonderangel:
I really love this series! Especcially the meaning behind it, I am sure you'll get a great grade for it :)
Also, I like that fact the condoms are called 'Lifestyles'

--
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll divorce at 40.
maybe you'll dance the Funky Chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.
:iconmouthshut:
bloody fantastic.
so loving your work?
arent there two more?
cant wait to see them...

--
ι :heart: נ σ є ℓ f σ я є ν є я

נσєℓ ιѕ тнє ℓσνє σf му ℓιfє
:iconestellablack:
Brilliant :) I love this series - really hope you get top marks - you deserve it! The concept and execution are wonderful :)

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**LIVE THE DREAM**
:iconnous-sommes-vous:
Ha, I'd love to read this girl's guide to destruction; I'm sure there'd be a lot of handy hints and tips for the perfect downward path. I'm definitely liking what I've seen so far, and can't wait for the fifth piece to complete it. No wonder you get so wrecked when doing large assignments; the amount of work and thought that you've put in to this is amazing! The few but well-used colours in each piece, it works so brilliantly! Every detail, down to the way his hand his slightly touching and urging her onwards, is great. Just wow :) for all of it.

--
g.
:iconsurfer-girl:
hehehe this one is naughty :giggle:

--
[iF pAiNtInG cAn Be As ViOleNt As FuCkInG . LiKe aN oRgAsM oR An EjAcUlAtIoN . tHe ReSuLt Is OfTeN dIsApPoInTiNg . bUt ThE pRoCeSs iS hIgHlY eXcItInG]
:icondevilicious:
i LOVE all of these :bounce:

--
**art requires an open mind**
:icondecayingdreams:
this is my favorite of the ones you've posted so far -- her expression really makes it. all of them have been great, though.

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* * * * *
--nessie--
~decAyingdreams
:iconzedka:
I like the whole idea, and the sixtish feeling of a "be the perfect housewife" guide...
pimpin' style ! this one is red and it feels good :)

--
Geneviève de Fontenay :ekud:

Details

May 1, 2006
383 KB
800×407

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