LUCIA BIDOIS

12 STUDIO ARTS

ALTERED STATES

My overall theme of altered states was dedicated to the exploration of the different ways each and everything thing can be perceived differently depending on the mindset you're currently in. Both finals are an exploration of the subconscious and conscious mind and are representative of the beauty and destruction that comes with such complex thoughts.

Pandemonium:

To create my first final artwork, I used a variety of mixed media, including acrylic paints (mixed with water to make them more malleable), metal wire, embroidery thread and eyelets. The mixture of mediums was due to the collaboration of potential direction’s three “Pandemonium’ and four “Perfectionism explored’. The way in which the paint was applied to the outstretched canvas, was inspired by my third potential direction, which was originally inspired by Jackson Pollock. The form of automotive painting/drawing was a complete exploration of the subconscious, and combining the subconscious with the consciousness of wrapping thread around wire, and then weaving it through the canvas, furthered my investigations of ‘altered states. I was unable to ‘refine’ the actual artwork produced within my potential direction for the final artwork, however, I was able to refine the environment I completed the artwork within. I made sure that I had a curated playlist that would last the duration of time I wanted to spend on the artwork. I also ensured that I was able to have quick and easy access to the paints I would need when creating the artwork, to ensure that there were little to no distractions that would drive me to use my consciousness while painting.

Perfectionism; Destroyed

My second final artwork was inspired by the loss and destruction of mental illness. I don’t wish to disclose the mental illness I personally based the off, as I want viewers to attempt to find solace and identify their own struggles within the artwork itself. The subject matter is my sister and some large foliage I found within my garden. The destructive ‘time-lapse’ seen in the sequence of seven photos is used to demonstrate the way in which the desire for perfection can lead to the dismantling of one’s self. My final potential direction was the inspiration for the basis of my second final artwork. However, in the wake of covid, I was unable to edit the negatives in the darkroom, so improvisation was required in order to still maintain the integral aspect of controlling the editing of the photos. I got the negatives developed and printed at outside companies, however, I ‘edited’ the photos using household chemicals such as drain and bleach, to try and replicate darkroom experiences. Each ‘trial’ of the different chemicals lasted for 1.30 minutes, in an attempt to somewhat replicate the development time in the darkroom. The chosen ‘edits’ of the photographs, used a chemical that made the photographs have a slight green tinge, including peeling away from the edges of the photograph. This style of editing really sung harmoniously with my desired aesthetic of destruction and decay, which was emphasized by the eerie green glow from the chemicals. The peeling away of the photographs further highlights the desired destructive nature of my theme, the destruction of consciousness