Here's my most recent completed project from my Photograpy II class last spring. I've got the artists statement that accompanies it down below the images. They really do go together, so before you comment please at least skim through the artists statement. I would never present one without the other, mainly for reasons of actually relating to the audience instead of leaving them guessing. I like people to understand, and interpret for themselves.
Also: please give me comments, I'd really like any feedback on this stuff.
(AND: click the images and enlarge the pop-up window to make them larger.)
<b>Title:</b> Reflacification
<b>Dimensions:</b> 1' x 1' x 6' - each little room is one foot squared, they are 3-dimensional, it's hard to get that from the pictures sometimes.
They all have their own lighting etc. and are shown with no other lights on except the ones in each box. They're really much more exciting to look at in real life in my opinion, but it's the best I can give yah without bringing them to each of your houses. Maybe I'll go on tour someday, hahah - I wish. Wouldn't that be tight if visual artists went on tours?
<b>Here's the full set up, as presented:</b>
And starting from left to right, here are close-ups of each room:
<b>Artists Statement</b>
Reflacification
Looking back at my childhood I can recall a number of thoughts or ideas that I gathered from the world around me that have stuck in my mind, gestating over the years. One that sticks out in particular is the main plot and concept of the movie the Never Ending Story; there’s an evil presence called “the Nothing” that consumed the world of childhood imagination because children stopped reading and using their imaginations enough. Another great example is in Pinocchio; the wooden boy is tempted by cigars, and booze - where after he literally turns into a jack ass. I feel that based on the types of creation that have always interested me the most I have pretty much been raised to question the ways of humanity. These thoughts were pushed along in my childhood with the morals behind Dr. Suess’ books, the movie Fern Gully, and a few other influences. I’ve never really let these thoughts go, I still refer to them in my own mind, but sometimes on new or more-modernly applicable levels.
What I am attempting to do is mirror my own thoughts metaphorically as separate rooms inside my own mind (the place where my different ideas live). I’ve named the project by combining the words Reflection, and Pacification. Reflection; because the project itself reflects the world around me, it reflects my own life, and is a partial reflection of the complete whole of human consciousness. Pacification; because the project deals with the pacification of the modern day human by the advancement of widely used technology.
In each separate room there is a twisted figure interacting with a different piece of technology backed by a larger face that represents the soul of each individual figure. Each figure is lost in their own little worlds, completely oblivious to the larger world around them. From the middle two boxes, the two different souls progress outwards into a sadder state. The darkness around each takes a much more threatening form as you look out from the center two. This is meant to show the deterioration of our souls at the hands of pacifying technology. This is not the only symptom or effect.
Also in each box is a light, and a perspective-drawn circle. Each represents mental awareness of the problems these technologies can cause. The white circle in each box is meant to give the viewer the right vantage point to view from, as well as mark the edge of the subconscious peripheral vision (adjust yourself to each box so that you see a circle in your peripheral vision).
I have also (over the course of creating this) come to terms with my own addictive personality towards technology. I realize that I can’t go around pointing fingers at the entire human world, telling them how bad they are, when I myself am human - and do some of the same things. That is not what this whole thing is about. All the same I think it’s just crazy to think about how addicted we all are to technology. As the world is beginning to weaken around us, we continue to massively pollute our environment with modern technology. And no one cares; because we’re all pacified by consumer culture, so we buy more to meet social standards etc.
As is being represented in this piece, technology poses a threat to the mind, body and soul of humanity. This whole idea is meant to stick in the viewers mind, gestate, and help them eventually come to terms with their own addictive personalities. When this happens, the light in each box becomes a representation of each persons inner awareness. What I’m trying to get at is that to be able to move forward and progress from this point in time the human race has abandon fear and come to terms with their darker side. We have to know ourselves, and our nature to be able to overcome. So, although this project is dark in subject, it is meant to help continue a cycle of growth. Knowledge is the greatest weapon.
Art is life, life is subjective.
by Joshua Burton » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:54 am 
'Places for meditation' I suppose. I have a lot of research to do yet. My work is very much about the concept, and is mainly directed towards inspiring or provoking thoughts about the need to overcome some of the harmful, habitual and/or addictive aspects of human existance. For now I'll leave yah with these, please comment on anything, I welcome any type of criticism.
add me or I'll juggle these kittens to death.
