book of life

this is my favorite project to date of both semesters. i loved the idea and the craft behind it and i felt as if or the first time i really grasped a project. i left the class with my initial idea, which was to sew the 6 canvas squares into 6 separate frames. i stamped every word by hand, distorted and altered the 6 illustrator images, iron transferred the images to the squares, and then stamped another supporting element. due to unforeseen circumstances i was forced to alter my original idea and create the cube made of 6 sets of needle working stretchers. i then sewed the panels in and i couldn't be happier with the end result. the words displayed on the panels of the cube are memories that have influenced me and my perception of the male population. the memories are simplified to the overall gist of what i took from those particular moments. the piece is nostalgic for me and it allowed me to look back over the past 3 years.

distorted self portrait

i was kind of stumped when i first sat down with this project. was the change meant to imply a physical grotesqueness, an inner change, or something superficial? My underlying layer is just that, a superficial or physical representation of what i look like, not so much who i am right now. the top layer is a bit more in depth. it isn't a changed variation of who i am, but who i do not want to become. i have transformed myself into an androgynous  businesswoman on a computer. the background text is a collection of various quotes from ayn rand's work. the quotes i choose are a contradiction to the image; they speak of individuality and pride. the business woman persona is a terrifying aspect of middle aged life for me. one of my worst fears is living within a cubicle for 20 years. the quotes are comforting and reassuring that we have a chance to be what we desire. 

"here are my rules; what can be done with one substance must never be done with another. no two materials are alike no to sites on earth are alike. no two buildings have the same purpose. the purpose, the site, the material determine the shape."