Earth Research

EARTH RESEARCH

I found this image on pin interest which captured my attention in the way it has been overlayed with imagery in front of the subject. It's made me think about the ways I can use material, by not only placing it on the model but the effects I could get with it if I was to place it in front of the lens. this is something I will experiment with in the studio. Blending is something I have noticed after looking through lots of different examples which are linked to earth. The blending represents the connection to the earth and portrays how much we, as humans rely on this element. Here are some examples below.

Kirsty Mitchell

Shot on location, Kirsty Mitchell has used the surrounding colours and textures to create the most stunningly unique dress that blends into its surroundings in the most beautifully mysterious way. Her work is based around a lot of fantasy ideas, re cereating the stories her mum would tell her as a child. 

The Green Lady

The Day Dream

"The sitter for this painting was Jane Morris, the wife of William Morris, who often posed for Rossetti. At the time this was painted Rossetti was involved in an illicit love affair with Jane. He shows her sitting in the branches of a sycamore tree and holding a sprig of honeysuckle. This sweet-smelling climbing plant symbolised the bonds of love for the Victorians, and Rossetti may have included it here as a subtle reference to the relationship between artist and model. Rossetti was also a poet, and the title relates to his poem of the same name which ends: 

She dreams; till now on her forgotten book
Drops the forgotten blossom from her hand."

It's really interesting how the blending of colours and surrounding has been used here in a way of disguise, rather than a connection to the earth. It made me think about whether it resembles a women's position of power at this period of time. I started researching the 1880's and this was exactly the beginning of "The New Women: the first time, young women left their home for work, not in the traditional pursuit of domestic service, but as a professional."

It's interesting how the woman in this image is actually very much in control of the situation, how she holds the hearts of two men yet she is unseen through the use of blended colours. It's interesting to look into why this technique has been used and what the artist is trying to get across. In relation to my own work, I would like my subject to compel the viewer eye. Her gaze is mysterious yet a subtlety of threat and unpredictability.   

I have found a further example of art in relation to the four elements, this has been very helpful in thinking about compositions. For my earth shoot I would like to experiment with some sitting positions to represent the connection to subject and earth. Earth is such a strong and empowering element that the structure of my model has to be compact rather than a standing position which could easily topple over.