Photo Ideas (Pictures Soon)

So I mentioned in class that my laptop is being stubborn. Hopefully I am able to load actual pictures soon. Here one of my ideas so far.

First Idea

As my first work of "Earth Art," I wanted something that represented my introduction to it. I didnt know what to expect from this module. Sunsets? Ocean landscapes? Cave drawings? That seemed too easy but I was pleasantly surprised. However, it did take me a while to catch on.

So I thought of this as my first original piece-

I'll have someone take a picture of my hair pulled back with a writing utencil and entitle it "Natural Beauty". I dont want any of my face in the picture. This should be anonymous.

The significance isnt obvious, so bear with me. I want to challenge the viewer with several layers of meaning.

The title is meant to be ambiguous and ironic. When most people hear the phrase "natural beauty" they think of idealized images of young women like the ones that grace the cover of Cosmo. Women are held up to these expectations of so-called "beauty" and often judged unfairly based on their looks alone. However, an individual's identity and the impression they give should not depend so much on their outward appearence.

That leads me to the first layer of meaning. I want my viewer to get the wrong first impression and miss the depth. I intend for you to think I'm shallow and only saying, "Look at my hair. Isnt is pretty?"

If you initially thought that, did you also conclude something about my intelligence? Do you now doubt this initial judement since you know a little more? That's the first layer.

Now let's go further. Earth Art encompasses the connection between humanity and nature. As we saw with Ava Mendieta (sp?) the artist may use their own body in the piece. I'm not about to post any nude pics, but I digress. However, in today's culture, so much of a woman's appearance is artificially maintained with synthetic clothes, gyms, make-up, controlled diets, colored contacts, hair dye, medications, and so on. My hair is the only piece I consider to be really "natural" and virtually untouched. I dont even own a hair dryer or other appliances. Just a brush, shampoo and conditioner, a few bands, and one clip. So yeah, you can really find me making do with a pen or pencil to hold it back. Not very "sophisticated", huh? I guess I should know better since fashion magazines are always packed full of styles so I can instantly morph into my sexy, smoldering alter-ego before hitting the club scene each night to play the mating game (sarcasm).

I used to care a lot more about my hair. I remember at age 13 washing and drying it every morning trying to force order into it. I was a much different person then, too caught up in what other people thought. I also wore thick black eyeliner and bright eye shadow in colors like purple and blue. Then I literally had my "eyes opened" when I got my vision corrected with contacts and took a good look in the mirror. I looked like crap, all fake and artificial. If my face was a canvas, it wasnt a pretty painting. As for the hair, I had tried to put blonde in it that came out orange. Later attempts with hair dye to correct the color had the same problem. That and the damage from heat treatments would just have to grow out. Anyway, back to the art and enough about me.


I notice a major theme in Earth Art pieces is the damage that people often do to nature when they try to control and tame it. Often the best thing to do is just let the earth heal itself. I didnt have to do anything to my hair to make it grow back. It just did so naturally over the years. The picture of my hair represents the female form, this theme of healing over time, and my own personal transformation. And, like I said, I want the viewer to be challenged with false impressions for satire.

Other significance is in the spiral and the use of a writing utencil. If the hair is nature at work, then the pencil is knowledge. Which is holding up which? I'm still considering this question. It had deep philosophical value.

The spiral is there for a timeless effect. Many ancient cultures used them too. Oh and those ancient people had hair. Probably all dark hair too, depending how far back we're talking.

Okay, so I've exhausted all my thoughts on this. Picture coming soon.