From a Distance

I'm working on my final MFA project this summer, and of course I'm exploring the desire of others/ourselves to be something other than we are. So I'll probably post about it here to get your thoughts and feedback.

I'm intrigued by the fact that if we take a close look at something, we tend to think it more beautiful if it's altered. I see this in the art world a lot. The blurred abstract is more beautiful than the realistic close up. There is even an appreciation of presenting something horrific in a beautiful way. It's as if society needs it "prettied up" so they don't really have to consider it. This seems to be a more prevalent response in America than elsewhere, in my experience.

Even made up to the beauty industry's standards, a close look reveals the texture of skin, something the make up fails to cover. But then again, who cares as long as it works from a distance, right?

Secret

I'm experimenting a bit with alternate ways of presenting my work/ideas that are not so literal and direct. Although I do believe that one of my strong points is putting it all out there in the hopes that it makes you uncomfortable enough to consider something, I also recognize when I become too direct. I end up trying to say everything at once, and often that's no fun for the viewer.

So this is the beginning of a new series (on the side, if you will). We'll see where it goes.