Student 18

(question 5) In your own words, describe your self-portrait and the style of art it represents. Please try to explain your use of line, shape, color and texture and what is conveys to you.

My project was an abstract, which to me means something that doesn't represent your physical being but rather you feelings, personality and inner self depicted in a form that is other than a physical representation of yourself. The project itself was done out of a cinder block which represents strength and stability. The block was painted Blue and White to symbolize cool or calm but I utilized the colors primarily to symbolize a logical person. The lines used were all straight which symbolized order and discipline and strength. I painted the jagged edge of the block Red to symbolize my passions for what is important to me. I also painted a triangle on the block to symbolize my strength and power. Inside the block I placed fur to symbolize the place inside of me that place all that I care about to protect them and ensure their safety. I hung a brass ring from the top of the inner hole of the block to symbolize my life quest for knowledge and understanding and life experiences. ! I did not add to much to my block to symbolize the will to have a very uncomplicated life (simple) much like the Daoist do. I intentionally left any symbol of religion out of my project to show that I am always learning more about all religions rather than just one and closing my eyes to the rest. I believe that we are all on a life quest and once the life is almost over, if one can look back and honestly say that they have no regrets for the good times and the bad and that they always had a open mind for growth, then they had a good life and they completed thier quest.

(question 6) Please explain how you used ideas from the resources on the self we studied. Did you consciously use ideas from or react to any of the following resources in your self-portrait: the psychological theories of self? The Rilke discussion of "faces," "hands," or "costumes"? The Asian views of the self? The examples from art of non-representational self-portraits? Please clearly explain what ideas from these sources you integrated into your self-portrait and why.

I believe that I reacted to the color schemes to identify a personality, also the shapes to symbolize a specific traits. I also used the idea of Daoism to symbolize they way I like my life to be simple and not very confusing.I do not put up fronts for people so my project did not explain anything about the faces that people use. I don't believe I have to many faces. I try to present my true person at all times that way no one is confused when the real me shines through, they see the real me from the start.I believe that the cinderblock displayed the psychological aspect of the self. The block was a perfect base to build my project off of. I am hard, solid and very rough. I speak my mind and defend myself and my positions on issues with logic and understanding.I try to be as educated about a subject prior to any discussion or argument arises so that I have the advantage of accurate and thorough information so that I can make an educated decision as to what side I ! am going to take.

(question 7) In what ways do these different disciplinary resources agree with one another on the question of what is the self?

I believe that the "Faces" idea is right in line with the Psychological theory that people put up fronts for protection from the outside world. This is a psychological protection. The Asians believe in meditation to achieve the answer as to what is the self. I believe that serious thought into the matter is a form of meditation which is tied into the idea of the "Hand". All forms of resources above are attempting to achieve the same answer which is What is the Self.

(question 8) In what ways do they conflict with each other on the question of what is the self?

They conflict on this issue in their approach to the issue. Asians say the way to the answer is in meditation, The psychologist say it is in the pratice of psychology.

(question 9) Does your self-portrait try to reconcile these ideas or did you choose a particular postion to convey? Why?

I believe that I chose a specific position to convey and that would be in the non representational approach. I did include some ideas of the Daoist theories, but for the most part it was non representational.

(question 11) In our unit on the self, is there a right answer to the question of what the self is? If not, what is your reaction to our inability to provide a clear answer one way or the other on this issue?

There is no right or wrong answer to what is the self. I have no reaction to the inability to provide a clear answer because there is, nor will there ever be a clear answer because what is a clear answer of what is the self to one my be totally inaccurate to another. What is the self is a question that must be answered for each individual in innerthought. Each person is different and will view all aspects of life in a different manner than anyone else.

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