When I think of the word "shadow", it automatically brings me back to my childhood. I think of the sleepovers I had as a little girl; making shadow puppets on a wall with a flashlight of bunnies, dogs and monsters. I always thought of shadows and a fun kid thing to do. The Disney movie Peter Pan also comes to mind. When he lost his shadow and had to get it sown back onto the soles of his shoes.
Until Jeff's project, I never really looked much more into what the different kinds of shadows are. After seeing what techniques, tools and mediums that can be used, I was extremely intrigued to look more into it. Knowing that shadows can be created using items like mirrors, metal and glass, I can now see all of the possibilities with shadows. Another item that can add different variation with the theme of using shadows is light. Different colors, strengths and the amount of the light directions are only some of the many options to change the simple bunny rabbit into an abstract shape.
Shadows can also give off different effects, depending on how you use them. Some use shadows as a friendly way to have fun. But they can also be used in thrillers and other scary movies. Shadows can give off that extra fright. I think because it reveals something that is there, even though you might not see the actual object makes it kind of creepy. Viewing Jeff's first project and part of his second project, I am eager to see what else he does with the theme of Shadows.
Another way that shadow can be applied and created is digitally. We can paint and draw shadows with our software to creating compelling images. People wear eye shadow to make their eyes stand out. We can use shadow to make anything stand out from the background. It is an aesthetic tool.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that your first thoughts of shadows are from childhood making shadows on the wall with a flashlight and your hands. I was inspired to create images with shadows because I play the same game with my son when I put him to sleep sometimes. It's funny how the simplest things can inspire art.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange how much experience we have had with shadows since childhood, and yet I feel that I rarely think about my own shadow anymore. It actually is something that follows us around constantly, relating to Peter Pan. I think Alex's point about making shadows with our software is relevant. As art students, making our way into the art world, it's important that we are using shadows when necessary in our artwork. Since they are something that can be easily overlooked, it is all the more important to remember to use them properly.
ReplyDeleteI also thought of peter pan when thinking of shadows. The ties and connections that we make as viewers are equally important to the production of the work. Jeff is making beautiful movements of the shadows using light and materials and then it is up to us to find out what it is we are seeing. This project is providing the audience with a connection to the work and this is important. We start to pull in things based on our experiences and from there we start to make connections in the forms that we see.
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