AP CONCENTRATION | portfolio

ART PORTFOLIO

AP STUDIO ART 2D CONCENTRATION

CONCENTRATION STATEMENT

My concentration explores the social and political impact of modern technology through satire and observation. Topics explored include the selfie obsession, relations between people and gadgets, net neutrality, data and identity theft, the cloud, the changing mindset of young generations, the demise of physical interaction, the mechanization of society, new means of communication, and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. This is achieved through several artistic techniques and styles.

Convergence [2014]

Mediums: Cardboard, Acrylic, Sharpie

Description: This piece reflects the evolution of society. Humans are becoming increasingly bionic (with the advances in medical technology and our dependence on gadgets), while robots are becoming increasingly human (with the advances of AI). We are becoming one with our technology.

Award: Scholastic Art Silver Key, 2015

#NuclearSelfie [2015]

Medium: Graphite

Description: This piece satirizes the selfie-obsession of my generation. The self-absorbed girl risks her life to take a selfie with a nuclear explosion in the background. Furthermore, entirely ignorant of her surroundings, she makes a peace symbol next to the most horrific and destructive weapon mankind has ever conceived.

Emojis [2015]

Mediums: Tempera, Acrylic, Marker

Description: This piece satirizes our evolution towards less sophisticated forms of communication, through the use of abbreviations, emojis, etc. This language would seem basic even to a caveman.

iPet [2015]

Medium: Photography (unedited)

Description: While most are afraid of robots as beings that will fight or replace us, this picture summarizes how I feel about them. I see robots as machines that complement us, make us happy, entertain us, and make us smarter. The piece brings this theme into alignment with the theme of selfie/cellphone obsession that I explore in some other pieces. The clueless girl only pays attention to her Instagram, ignoring her pet. Luckily, the robot has no feelings...

Man Machine [2015]

Mediums: Marker, Watercolor

Description: I came across this quote while reading "Grapes of Wrath," by John Steinbeck. I felt that it perfectly fit the theme of convergence between humanity and technology. While my other pieces try to capture the future of this convergence, this one gives us a perspective from the past. It also differs from the rest of my work in that it provides a harsh, dystopian view of this convergence, portraying man as consumed by machine. This is my reflection on the fact that, if left unchecked, technology could lead to job displacement and a widening gap between rich and poor, the central theme of Steinbeck's work. The stylized look of the piece results from an exploration of typography, an old art form that has been revitalized in modern design.