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Exams: 2009 Studio Art 2-D Design: Concentration -- Alana Downie
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| | Urbana High School
Urbana, IL
Score: 4
Click an image to view a larger version.
Student Commentary:
What is the central idea of your concentration?
The central idea of my concentration is white noise. White noise can be produced from mechanical objects—the low hum from a fan or the buzz of electric lights. The sound can also be produced naturally such as thousands of people talking at once, or the noise the wind creates as it blows through trees. I expanded into what happens when white noise becomes obtrusive, what it looks like when the even sound is suddenly broken and we are compelled to get up and turn off the fan or close the window.
How does the work in your concentration demonstrate the exploration of your idea? You may refer to specific images as examples.
My study of white noise began with the exploration of particles found in noise. From there I explored what happens when white noise is obtrusive and brought to our attention. In #2 I looked at how humans perceive the sound and in #3, what white noise looks like when it becomes obtrusive. My work with line in these pieces demonstrates the randomness of white noise and the idea that you can never pick out one definite sound. In #4 I began to study white noise in nature. It has no uniform shape or pattern—a flow of bits and pieces of sound. #5 “Frequency” is an interpretation of a linear frequency spectrum axis for white noise. My lines demonstrate frequency while the collaged text represents the noise in the background. #6 “Submerged in Sound” is what white noise looks like under water—being surrounded by particles and never able to pick out one distinct piece. #7 “In a Room” explores the idea of white noise slowly creeping up a wall just like vines would do outside. #10 “Web” is centered around the concept of not always noticing the white noise around you, but suddenly as if you walked into a spider web, startling and bothersome. My concentration ends with a white, grey, and black piece symbolizing the last breath of white noise, the calm you may find as the noise slowly rises from the source producing it.
Rationale for Score:
- The concentration topic of "white noise" is interesting and challenging, providing conceptual material for quite a unique examination.
- The range of manipulated ideas is appropriate, but the visual manifestation does not match the "obtrusiveness" the student speaks of in her written statement of intent.
- In the interest of visual communication, utilizing more types of contrast would have been beneficial to both the visual space and the concept.
- Although this portfolio is driven by idea rather than media, the limited media chosen is handled well.
- The restrained color palette works to support the delicate, rhythmic line work in the images.
* Important Note:
The numbers of the slides run from top left to bottom right.
1. 7" x 9" pencil, pen, acrylic
2. 14" x 10" marker
3. 13" x 9" pen
4. 13" x 8" pen, acrylic
5. 17" x 13" mixed media
6. 17" x 14" pen, acrylic
7. 11" x 14" pen, acrylic
8. 14" x 11" mixed media
9. 3" x 2" mixed media
10. 15" x 11" pen, acrylic
11. 12" x 11" mixed media
12. 10" x 13" pencil, pen
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