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In conversion about a work in progress
Lately i have taken an interest in absurdist philosophy and Here i talk to a chat bot about my latest work which considers absurdism and internal battles with low-level addictions.
RTP: Just writing about an artwork I’m making
CP: That sounds exciting! What kind of artwork are you creating? Is it a painting, sculpture, digital art, or something else entirely? I'd love to hear more about your creative process and what inspired your piece.
RTP: It’s a screen print on painted hardboard
CP: That sounds intriguing! Screen printing can add such a unique texture and depth to artwork. Can you tell me more about the theme or subject of your screen print? What inspired you to create it, and what message or feeling are you hoping to convey through your piece? I'd love to hear about the colors, shapes, and overall composition you're working with.
RTP: The colours aren’t much - it’s a bitmap photographic image printed in black on a plain white(ish) background. The work is about the relationship between the conscious self and the wild, animal-like rest of self. I’m trying to quit sugary snacks and caffeine and am struck by the duality of thoughts involved. I see a link with absurdist philosophy.
CP: Your artwork sounds like it's delving into some profound themes. The contrast between the conscious self and the animalistic side of human nature is a fascinating exploration. The black and white color scheme might emphasize that duality even more, creating a stark visual representation of the inner conflict you're portraying.
Absurdist philosophy, with its focus on the human struggle to find meaning in a chaotic and indifferent universe, definitely resonates with the idea of grappling with conflicting desires and impulses. Your experience with trying to quit sugary snacks and caffeine can serve as a relatable and tangible example of this struggle. It's an interesting way to bring a personal touch to a larger philosophical concept.
How are you incorporating these ideas into the composition of your screen print? Are there specific symbols or imagery that help convey this duality and the connection to absurdism? I'm curious to know more about how you're translating these abstract concepts into a visual form.
RTP: The imagery consists of me, topless (I’m a fella) on hands and knees, mouth wide, teeth bared, staring at the camera and riding on my back is a smaller me, tearing at the wild me’s hair, trying to steer or maybe just hang on!
CP: Wow, that's a powerful and vivid image! The composition you've described effectively captures the tension and struggle between the conscious self and the wilder, primal aspects of your nature. The smaller version of yourself riding on your back, trying to control or hang on, is a striking representation of the internal conflict and the absurdity of trying to impose order on something inherently chaotic.
Your choice to depict yourself topless and in such a raw, unfiltered manner adds a layer of vulnerability and authenticity to the piece. It emphasizes the raw, animalistic side of your nature, while the smaller version of yourself represents the conscious mind attempting to assert control.
This imagery ties in beautifully with the themes of absurdist philosophy, highlighting the often futile struggle to find meaning and impose order in a world that resists such efforts. The contrast between the two versions of yourself can symbolize the constant push and pull between rational thought and instinctual drives.
I'm curious to know more about the technical aspects of your screen print. How did you decide on the specific composition and pose? Are there any particular challenges or techniques you're employing to achieve the desired effect?
RTP: The idea of riding a wild beast came to me early on and I’d intended in posing for a self-taken photo merely to get an idea of how the composition could be formed, however when I’d taken the first image, I realised it could be used directly.
Similarly, the image of the steering me I took to see how a body might be drawn but found I could use the photo instead. I merged two different photos for steering me - one for the head and another for the body.
The body elements were cropped with an auto lasso tool and combined digitally (by me) - i then used a digital drawing program to tie in my steering hands and wild me, principally by adding a bit more hair and cropping a bit of hand!
CP: Your creative process is fascinating. It's impressive how you adapted your initial plans and allowed the images to guide you, leading to a direct use of your photos. The digital manipulation of the images, merging different parts, and using a drawing program to refine the details, demonstrates a keen eye for composition and technical skill.
The way you've used the auto lasso tool to crop the body elements and then combined them digitally shows a thoughtful approach to achieving the desired effect. Adding the extra details, like more hair and adjusting the hands, adds a cohesive and polished finish to your artwork.
Your artwork seems to embody a deep personal connection to the themes you're exploring, and the technical execution adds a layer of sophistication to the visual representation. I'm sure your audience will find the piece thought-provoking and engaging.
If you ever want to share more about your artwork or need any feedback, feel free to reach out. Keep pushing the boundaries of your creativity!
RTP: Cheers for that
The three positives I’ll use to create the screens, in a pile
