'Impressions'

Impressions is mixture of mediums: 

Video, photography, sketching and writing- capturing the impressions of a person through these different methods of art. The video is capturing what we see through a lens and with motion, which is different to what we see when we are given a frozen image, that is too, capturing the subject through technology. The sketch will be showing a persons interpretation of what they see and what they associate with that particular subject matter, which is further demonstrated with the writing aspect of the piece; describing what the artist (in this case, is me, even though I don't consider myself as one) see and feel in regards to the subject, which cannot be displayed through video or photograph. With these four modes, it can challenge a viewer into thinking, that while the video and photograph record the subject accurately in appearance, which mode is the more truthful or more revealing about them. This piece can potentially be the first in a series, to build up a compilation of different people, of any person. 

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The process:

The concept

Materiality

'Impressions' sketch

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The different versions of Impressions

VIDEO

The decision to take the video through a phone camera was because the phone camera is an individuals format, making the recording much more personal than having a film camera. This makes it a more truthful and authentic capturing of the subject, as it was spontaneously being filmed, which made the subject react in as just as spontaneous manner. Such spontaneity from both artist and subject, creates a moment that is real and completely un-staged, which is the intention of the piece. The decision to edit this video to a watered-down colour palette, was to represent the human memory and the fact that impressions aren't always vivid; how after time passes, a memory of can begin to fade. Initially, the video was intended to capture a realistic moment in time, to show how a mechanical object can record things, however, when I began editing and made a version with faded colours, I then realised I liked the idea that the video is a reflection to a person's memory and further realised that this idea stays truer to the concept of human impressions.

PHOTOGRAPHS

While the video developed into a representation of moving-memory during the editing process, I decided to keep the photos as unedited. I had taken over fifty photos, and none of them were staged. The subject rarely acknowledged the camera, however would occasionally glance and smile (like in the top right and bottom centre), but otherwise, they carried on with their business like normal. While taking the photos (which were also through the mobile phone to maintain that personal format), I didn't speak or interact with her. There were other people present while this was occurring, which allowed the subject to remain animated and engaged with them and in other things, instead of being conscious of the camera. 

DRAWING

Sketching the subject entered an even more personal aspect of impressions. The video captured and mimicked the human memory. The photos captured moments in frames, with an accuracy only a camera can create. The reason why it is just a pencil sketch is because I wanted to continue the idea of the unpolished final piece; to leave the impression raw, because the aim/ intention is to reveal true people, the unedited. Drawing requires a lot more concentration for the artist, as it involved focussing on the smallest of details of the subject, which otherwise would not usually be brought to attention. And this concentration, I decided would be interesting to recreate for the viewer when they observe the overall display/ piece, so they can develop their own interpretation of the subject. If this were in an exhibition, I would encourage the viewer to attempt their own drawing based on what they see or write a piece.

WRITING

Every single person leaves some sort of impression on the people they meet, which is what art really is all about: leaving an impression. As you distance yourself from the actual subject, the medium becomes more abstract, but it may become more personal to the artist, or capture something that can't be seen through different mediums. For example, the video reveals the mannerisms, the nature of the person, but the written word tells the story which the video version could not tell an observer. Every person has a magnitude of stories attached to them, which often go untold or unnoticed. This concept piece allows for those stories to be shared, but also allows for the viewer to develop their own stories based on their own impression of the subject they are shown.

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The final display/ layout of Impressions 

This would be displayed on a full wall of a room, while the other walls would be filled with the works of the different viewers, so over time, it would build up and become a part of the exhibition. The concept of one's impressions of a subject is the main intention of the piece, however, it can be further highlighted by making the work interactive, so the viewer too can experience; the work begins with the subject and the artist, and from there, it becomes the work of others, their contribution to the work create new and unique versions of the subject, which are based on their own impressions.