Month: May 2015

We presented Project Four, along with our prototype which we decided was our Vine account/page we created, called FEMIVINE. Our FEMIVINE page streams all of our sketches (Vine videos), and each vine harnesses our feminist motivations. Our presentation was untidy, though our foundations for our prototype are clear, and I believe this may have translated as we received positive feedback from Seth and the class. We have moved away from the Kuleshov effect, looking more closely at dialectical montage–the juxtaposition of two shots as a vehicle for abstract concepts to be understood by inference–to convey feminist-oriented ideas. We still have plenty of work to do in terms of creating powerful feminist Vines to complete our prototype, though I look forward to this process.

feminism

ˈfɛmɪnɪz(ə)m/

the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.

1. The Division of Domestic Labour
2. The Media
3. The Glass Ceiling
4. Social Inequality
5. Violence Against Women

This week we had a profound breakthrough with our project four sketching process thanks to Seth’s keen observation of our work so far. Seth identified an element of our work we hadn’t recognised ourselves: feminism. Seth’s observation inspired a whole new angle for our project: dialectical montage in Vine to serve our own motivations. We both agreed that gender equality is something we strive for as young woman, so feminism is second nature to us, as well as an area of interest in regards to our art and our education. Hence the next step is to continue making sketches, with an open, experimental approach, however, now to serve our own feminist message.

PROJECT FOUR PROBE:

How can dialectical montage be used effectively in a Vine video?

Maria and I jumped straight into making sketches for project four. The objective being to start with remaking the Kuleshov effect in Vine, using modern imagery, and then making minor adjustments until we feel we truly understand dialectical montage, for one, and secondly, everything there is to know about Vine as a platform for video practise.

Result in Vine: https://vine.co/v/ebHz52AipY3

Today’s studio consisted of self-directed brainstorming for our final project (p4). Each group openly discussed and evaluated their intentions for project four, and the floor was open for individuals to provide feedback on each group’s process. Seth was incredibly helpful in refining our group’s probe.

The image above (sadly blurry and incomprehensible) is the result of our group’s project four mapping. For the most part we deliberated potential adjectives to best represent our project’s objective. This was our dilemma:  ‘How can dialectical montage be used _____ in a Vine video?’

After we narrowed our suggestions down to three finalists, the whole class engaged in a vote: 1) creative, 2) effective or 3) powerful.

We settled on ‘How can dialectical montage be used effectively in a Vine video?‘

At this point our plan for Project Four is to make multiple vines in relation to our probe, though developing our ideas/creative in minor steps toward and end goal (end goal is unimaginable at this point. It doesn’t exist yet.)

REPORTING: Today’s studio consisted of an in-depth discussion relating to our individual online video explorations, as well as the studio intention as a whole. Seth reiterated the importance of simplifying our investigations and, rather, expand on the explorative sketching process. The objective is to be as free and creative as possible. As a class we deconstructed narrative and non-narrative form, which was very helpful in establishing a clear distinction between the two to greater inform our projects. Similarly, we discussed  linear narrative, linear non-narrative, multi-linear narrative, experimental form, categorical form and associational form.

RELATING: I rely heavily on theory to inspire ideas for my studio projects. As a student I feel it is my ‘duty’ to do so–to engage in, and recycle, thoroughly considered theoretical foundations to support and harness my academic endeavours. In regards to Bordwell and Thompson, narrative encompasses both form/structure and content and is thus a little perplexing at times, especially when dealing with ideas and analyses which look at both form and content. Though, I find these readings hugely constructive in understanding, and (hopefully) applying, the studio prompt to our project.

REASONING: Narrative is a flexible term. It is used to describe a variety of concepts surrounding storytelling, structure and format. Understandably, narrative is confused across these areas of exploration and, ultimately, ambiguous.

RECONSTRUCTING: In the interest of refining our understanding of narrative form in relation to Vine, it is important for us to position our project accurately to ensure we can answer the studio prompt when it comes to final assessment.