"In Sickness and in Health": Exhibition 2013
Below are individual products, and the work done, that came together to create our exhibition.
Pieces of Me Artwork
To go along with our studies of health and what that means, we created narrative paintings describing identity biologically and symbolically. "Silhouette" Artist Statement What makes an art piece one that is narrative is that it displays a truth about someone in a visual way. To be honest, not my strongpoint. I am much more truthful through physical actions, so the planning process was a difficult activity. There was, in a moment of insight, something I felt important to show: contradiction. Going against what I have been told and truths that have been expressed to me is something that I am good at. Every brush stroke was a deliberate one in this projet, most having hidden meaning. Such as having a fully black and white image allowing for no 'gray area', but representing myself as a black key that is in the middle of two others. Something that this image conveys is a sense of calm. The blue strip at the bottom causes such a feeling. However, the way I had placed my physical self in the image is through a violent action (that being hanging one handedly). Contradiction. I feel very strongly in the idea of trying new things and pushing against boundaries that are set not only in academics, but also in any activities I participate in personally. Scientist Commission Art Pieces
To go along with the interviews, art pieces describing, and dealing, with the work those researchers do were made. With the image in the middle, a word cloud decorated the border with words from the interview. My piece was then chosen to be blown up to be one of the many large pieces representing the major disease and commission pieces as a whole. Reflection
Exhibition is something that I have grown very accustomed and comfortable with. This experience was much different though. There was so much knowledge gained that I had not even been aware of that made the act of talking to someone for fifteen minutes in a fairly quick manner (as to not lose attention) as a bit surprising. During the set up period I was manager of the art design team along with another peer. What had started out as planning how the rooms would be laid out, soon became being in charge of production in a room and making sure everyone was working together to complete tasks. This was unexpected and I feel that the hope for organization left many feeling less organized than before. I embraced my new role and later left my shoes downstairs since they had less support than the hard, cold flooring of the school. Being lead artist for projects and go-to person for painting skills placed me around an easel or on the floor quite a bit of the time. I am quite proud of all the artwork that I had so determinedly worked on (and the work of other students) and was left with a physical reminder of the work. That of dry hands from washing pallets and brushes. There is one thing that I am most proud of achieving and that would be the immense amount of words that flowed through my mouth as if by reflex. Carrying on an intelligent conversation with a stranger where the person was very engaged and exciting to be a part of. |
Health Plans
For an entire month, students created a health plan that included changes with physical, nutritional, and mental health. The disease that each student was primarily focused upon (in my case cancer), would be discussed within the health plan (i.e. the health plan would be focused on prevention for oneself and their family in regards to that disease). Each day was recorded as to what was done successfully and what was not accomplished. Click here to read about the health plan. Scientist Commissions An incredible opportunity arose when the time came to find, and interview research scientists both local, or across the country. Finding a scientist to interview, for me, was not very difficult as I have familial connections to these great people who strive to learn more. Even with that advantage, it was one of the most interesting aspects of this project to really learn what research scientists do on a daily basis. Click here to read the interview. Group Artwork
To encompass all knowledge gained upon the major diseases, a research paper was written. Based on that research, a group art piece was painted. This would be a representation of the disease along with imagery describing prevention. This was painted onto wood. |
Oral History
When studying one's own health, it is important to research one's family's health as well. Many diseases have genetic causes. The major diseases we chose to study were done so because of family members who have or had those diseases. What better way to learn and hear their story than through oral history? This allowed us to have an interview (felt more like a conversation) and learn more about these figures in our lives.
When studying one's own health, it is important to research one's family's health as well. Many diseases have genetic causes. The major diseases we chose to study were done so because of family members who have or had those diseases. What better way to learn and hear their story than through oral history? This allowed us to have an interview (felt more like a conversation) and learn more about these figures in our lives.