Shape and Composition Diptych

Degree of Exploration:
I did not necessarily create my own shapes for this project. I used my ray-o-gram as my original piece and completed a paper cut composition to contrast that ray-o-gram. I had begun with different hair accessories but I was advised by Ms. Seal to add some metal pieces that would contrast with the soft hair accessories. I used the headband's floral design to connect with the metal pieces. I had originally placed one metal piece attached to one of the flowers of the headband as a "stem" of the flower and as an extension from the headband. I then realized that I could contrast the elegant floral design by using more of the metal pieces to form right angles and sharp turns.

Degree of Craftsmanship:
I believe that my process-folio exemplifies my exploration of "shape" because I truly considered shapes that would contrast and improve upon my photogram composition. For instance, I truly experimented with the sharp corners and transformed it into more of a wavy texture. I had spent a lot of my effort in transforming the sharp turns into wavy and gentle turns in my paper-cut composition. Also, I was unable to spend as much effort and time on the ray-o-gram compared to the time I had spent on my paper-cut composition. I think that my cut paper composition has truly been successful in contrasting the floral design of the headband and the sharp turns of the metal pieces.

Level of Technical understanding and growth:
I think that I have developed technically in areas of the collage. When I had created my first cut paper composition, I was unable to explore more freely with the shapes because I didn't quite have the same comfort and understanding of making these collages. I am glad that I was able to use different shapes more freely and have a better understanding of creating a collage. I think that I also have a better understanding of using the enlarger in the dark room. I was able to manipulate the presentation of several of the objects more clearly and thoughtfully in my last few ray-o-gram compositions. For instance, my first ray-o-grams had objects that did not show up clearly. I learned to pick bigger objects with more negative space that would appear better in my ray-o-grams.

Degree of Insight in "aesthetic valuing" and self-reflection:
I was definitely thorough during my peer pairing. However, we didn't quite have enough time to completely draw out on the tracing paper different, contrasting ideas for our compositions. We tried to tell each other verbally our ideas of how to make our cut paper compositions contrast with our ray-o-grams. Also, I have truly spent time to reflect upon and even enjoy the process of each project through posting on my blog. I also enjoy the posting a complete picture of my compositions for my blog because I love the sense of having accomplished the art project.