Progression of piece MERMAID'S SONG, or NINGYO NO UTA (人魚の歌) as follows:
The HUGE box that the paper I ordered from PaperWoman: http://www.papernado.com had a warning that said 'beware of water damage' in Japanese. Well, I ripped it out and was inspired to make it the starting point for my new project.
After layers of extremely thin unryu paper cut out into freehand designs which I dyed with acrylic pigments, I painted over top, and added whimsical elements.
I like how my imagination unfolds, and unexpected elements like the paper air plane which does not exist in the original fable presents itself.
I created the body out of clay, painted, added further elements like the three dimensional paper dyed, and sculpted into her hair and tail.
More detailed shot.
Here is a rough photo of the final piece: colors more saturated, added dimension, texture, scales cut individually, layers, finishes, and oh there is a moon in the background too.
The reasons I believe and think Japan's mental health system and society has become the way it has been/is will be what I hope to discuss in the next blog post.
Thank you so much for your time, and for the Canadians tuning in I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!!!
This week started off with a serious hack/spam that threw off my Yahoo Mail account, and as I was trying to fix this problem Yahoo Mail suggested I upgrade, I did and it wiped everything off of my account including contacts/folders/messages/etc.
This is now fixed, although I did have a few words to say about it; which I have expressed in a video prior to the Intentions vs. Perceptions. It includes phrases like 'big sacks of cow sh...manure' 'fart-face!' and the like... if you are interested in seeing that I will put it below the actual video I am now posting.
My Youtube Channel: BeingMarieT
-I started sharing this new material; latex as a fascinating textural medium from an artist perspective. Also to bring awareness to the stereotypes and judgement placed upon it. I thought it would be a great platform to challenge differences, preconceived notions, and views. To be an example that anyone can wear latex, not linked to taboos, and of dark mysterious underground worlds.
-I don't go with the flock/herd/group/whatever you want to call it, I break boundaries and lead by example, try things my way, and see how it goes.
-Those were my intentions; but that which started out as the above has began evolving into this public perception/trend/brand that is a different animal in and of itself which I am not happy with.
-Seeing the interaction and comments I've realized that what I have tried so hard to challenge; over objectification of people, image based society, false advertisement, photoshopped air brushed perfection representation of what one 'should' be, and its effect on youth and individuals, the consequences of materialism, surface focused, over sexualized everything----> I have become my own research subject, so to speak.
-Someone who has personal experience with eating disorders, I can say for certain this is not what I set out to represent or do, I am not and do not support surface shallow instant gratification or present myself due to 'looks' 'image' or 'numbers'.
-There is a difference between feeling 'sexy' and something being 'sexual'; I believe this gets mixed up A LOT. Latex is not sexual in any way or form to me, there is no arousal as others may experience. I do feel sexy when I do wear it, as I would when I decide to wear a pair of well fitting comfortable jeans!
-What am I doing? I am trying to refocus, my Youtube channel so I can have it the way I intended to, with the possibility of making a difference (even one viewer at a time). NOT have useless comments about things based on careless image of assumption, being taken as a sexual object. Thank you, if you think I look good in latex but it is never about the 'looks' people (to you maybe, but NOT TO ME).
-Also to connect to the Japanese population I have began doing mental health videos in Japanese.
So here is the video:
INTENTIONS vs. PERCEPTIONS: challenging objectification of individuals in society.
I am so sorry for all the trouble, but I have been spammed and hacked into my Yahoo Mail account this morning, and I have lost all data in my email account including e-mails, contact list, drafts, and all information. This truly drives me mad as it is such a pain, and makes my stomach drop. I truly apologize for any inconvenience! -Marie
Long time no UPDATE! I have not fallen off the face of the planet, I'm focusing my energy on many things at the moment, and my brain is working over time.
Here is what I have been up to: -Doing extensive research and studying about the world of mental health/illness systems in Japan. -Compiling a list of things I need to do in order to materialize my idea and movement. -Working on art for this project which will become a conduit for discussion and beginning of movement. -Trying to do videos on my Youtube channel in Japanese. -Writing out project proposal and vision. -Preparing myself for things to come. The project in rough: 日本昔話：Traditional Japanese Folk Tales Creating contemporary works of art based on Japanese folk tales. Re-conceptualizing the traditional stories into that which relate to modern societal issues, especially mental health/illness awareness and trying to decrease stigma associated. Japan today has one of the highest suicide rates of all modernized countries. More than 660 suicides happen every single week, that is 94 persons per day (based on numbers in 2003, and those in the year alone increased by 7%). It is 2012, and some major things have happened in Japan since then like the tsunami/nuclear plant disaster (as one example). Japan is going through a major social and economic upheaval which is affecting every individual to the core. The government, major corporations, education system, bureaucracy, older cultural ways are just some of the main issues that are contributing to the continuation and increase in social disturbances, unhappiness, lack of hope, high rates of mental illnesses and suicides. To me it is a clear SOCIAL EMERGENCY! It is evident but not many are stepping up, and even if they do there is always the reluctance and opposition to change from significant influential players, therefore not much movement. I believe the art will be the starting point opening up discussion, sharing and creating awareness. I've got my life's work cut out for me; things like this can not be precisely planned or charted, but I'm determined and committed for the long adventure and journey.
(note: I also had a great idea for a start up, in the medical field, as I thought this could possibly give increased funds to this movement as well as help the public population here in North America, but after lengthy research and thought I needed to decide what is/was of more importance and emergence. I also believe there are efforts already in the works on a national scale for data/government/medical/professional fields (not necessarily user friendly or for public access). The start up idea is something I would have found useful if it existed when I was falling through the cracks of the system while I was struggling with mental illnesses here, but again, I can not spread myself out thin; I need to do quality work with excellent results and utmost attention, in anything I strive towards.) I also have a few things I would like to say about the direction of my Youtube videos, but that will come shortly. Thank you so much for reading, and for your patience:) Have a wonderful autumn, Marie
We have been doing a little local traveling, these videos are another way to speak and share experiences with everyone.
What have I been up to? Art? I have a large scale project idea which I am constantly brainstorming and solidifying an outline for, and when I have a creative idea, I tend to keep it to myself until I am truly ready to share.
In the past I have shared projects prematurely and they never came into fruition due to a number of reasons:
-I wasn't ready.
-Too much outside input.
-Overwhelmed.
-They took my idea without me knowing.
-Trust is very important; these days it is hard to come by.
-Unbeknownst to the individual, they can be critical and shoot down an idea in its early stages, creating feelings of shame and embarrassment. Then the negative cycle of self-doubt begins which is unhealthy.
-Unorganized goals, needs and wants makes for impossible planning.
-I felt too exposed, and vulnerable.
-Unless you know your wants and needs there is no way to identify the values and motives of those you are sharing/working with.
-I can not be a good leader unless I have a good vision of the final product and its aims.
So I have learned to protect, keep near and dear, share with only those I can truly count on for healthy constructive criticism and support. I tend to over analyze and plan for all outcomes and possibilities, embody the project as a whole, begin the process, get active, and sometimes be a little reclusive to hold my tongue and not share a project of which I am COMPLETELY EXCITED and PASSIONATE. The importance of a bit of self/creative preservation:)
The LOCATION of the SQUARE FT. ART EXHIBIT will be at TWIST GALLERY 1100 Queen St. West, Toronto, just west off Dovercourt.
Sorry about the misinformation, the flier and website design about the details are a bit confusing. Thank you, and for any further information go to http://www.awolgallery.com/
Recent videos I have uploaded onto my Youtube channel BeingMarieT: http://www.youtube.com/user/beingmariet some are art related, others are not. I hope you enjoy:)
Just a reminder: SQUARE FT. Art Exhibit @ AWOL Gallery: 76/78 Ossington Ave. Toronto: Aug. 4th -19th: more info here: http://www.awolgallery.com/ My three pieces will be available at a huge discount if you are interested!!! You can purchase them at the gallery during the above dates, or contact them directly if you can't make it in person:) (see one blog post prior for video of the pieces that will be at the show)
Art Progression_2 experiment: start of new project
Contemporary Art. Culture. Travel. International Life. Tokyo Life. Product Reviews. Fashion. Advice. Sharing a variety of facets Being Marie T.
Contact: marie(at)marietomeoki(dot)com
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