Enlighten Up

For viewing

For meditation.

Artist Statement

Enlightenment is subtle idea, one that often defies a single concrete description. I've studied Buddhism fairly intensely and am often struck by the ignorance surrounding topics like Buddhist enlightenment. This .gif file attempts to “go over the top” by blatantly stating "enlightenment", then adding the figure of the Buddha achieving literal "enlightenment", at least by virtue of the candle’s flame. I wanted to provoke a bit more thought on the topic of enlightenment by making the image so blatantly obvious that it would raise a flag in the viewer’s mind, calling them to explore the idea a bit more thoroughly, if only in their minds.

I tried to extend some subtle concepts into the .gif as well. The .gif is designed to loop perfectly, a never-ending circle. This is akin to one of the views on normal living in the world as we know it, and a basic tenet in Buddhist thought. By achieving enlightenment, one can escape the never-ending circle of reincarnation. The speed of the lightening/darkening of the Buddha is designed to mimic the relaxed breathing rate I achieve while meditating.

In all, the .gif contains one "over-the-top" presentation of a complex idea (enlightenment) that provokes thought on the subtleties of that same idea through the small details within it.

WEEE!

Collage Digital Replication

sleepy

.gif

pointer

When your prof says you get to make gifs in class today

wat

I HATE YOU

cant be bothered!!!!

FUN!

I think this is a .gif....

tuff

http://nnnicwilson.com/lect.html
http://bon.gs/tile/

First Gif

This is what friendship looks like

squier GIF

Egg

G.I.F. (Gus Is Funky)

Max Goes To Malaysia

A Story: About Friendship

Collage Replication

Timekeeper's Transgression - Eric Mistry

This piece was the first image that flashed into my mind when the prompt of "transgression" emerged as a topic. I assembled this selection early on, but it never managed to make it into my final pieces. However, I felt it was my best capture of "transgression" in visual form.

The piece itself is composed of two main components: the clock and the sky. These two images conjure up entirely different connotations, so placing the two together, so intimately connected, seemed to suggest a type  of transgression, merely through juxtaposition. Further consideration of the two symbols (the clock and the sky) leads to a different set of metaphors for each. The sky represents free, nature, a timeless state. This stands in stark contrast to the image of the classic clock, the eternal timekeeper of borrowed minutes and of mankind's attempts to draw order in the unpredictable natural world.

It was a distinct challenge to up-resolution this selection, but it made me consider content, as well as form. By making the clock edges crisp and man-made in contrast to the fluid, natural wisps of clouds, I could draw further attention to the transgressions within my piece.

Tears -- Transgression

Sunflower

Geometric Abstraction?

Forbidden Fruit stained glass: UNpixelized