January23, 2008

For today's class we went to the Fibers room and listened to Mary, the fiber's teacher show us slides of her artwork and discuss what they mean to her. She began the discussion with asking the class who are artists and who are trying to be artists? Almost the whole class raised their hands at the question, "who are trying to be artists?". I was among this majority. Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to be a doctor, not until my senior year, after taking several medical classes did I realized, the idea made me miserable. After having a long discussion with my parents about what I enjoy doing, I discovered I wanted to do something artistic. Earlier my senior year my brother's girlfriend showed me a bunch of work she did for graphic design and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to do it. I was just too scared. Today made me realize that I am not the only one trying to become something. I have an identity to find as an artist. That is why I am in school.

Several of Mary's artworks stood out at me. The first one being "Miscarriage". I enjoyed the idea that it was about Barbie. Just like Mary and millions of other girls I am obsessed (not as much anymore) of Barbie. When I was younger I had every Barbie doll, car, clothes, houses. I I felt like I could connect with my past; however, that was different from the interpretation Mary had, when she discussed its name "Miscarriage". After in Concept Studio class we discussed interpretation and who interprets it? Or is an interpretation ever wrong? I believe no. Later in English class we discussed interpretation in a text sense. My teacher gave us a quote and each one of the students interpreted it in a slightly different way. Although I felt different than Mary about her "Miscarriage" piece; however, I did have the same interpretation as her in her "Pinch an Inch" sculpture. 

Mary's "Pinch an Inch" piece related to men and women. Made out of polyester, which clothing pins pinching the polyester does give the illusion of skin. Even myself, frequently I pinch my stomach. Whether your the skinniest or the largest, almost everyone is uncomfortable in their own skin. I was extremely impressed with Mary's work.