1.Flickering Facades

Photography

Unit 4 Art Making and Exhibiting

This Pinterest-inspired photography display ‘Flickering Facades’ by Maddie Reid delves into themes of youth, fun, and rebellion which draw influence from Sofia Coppola’s 2013 film The Bling Ring. The film itself reflects the ideas that children from a young age have to live up to the standards of celebrities as they are seen though media outlets. As they are so desperate to achieve their goals, they commit crimes such as theft showing the dark aspects of this flashy lifestyle that’s not always portrayed through the media. ​

With the concept of a ‘Pinterest board’, a diverse array of photographs, including bird’s eye views and close-ups of a girl’s eye, makeup, magazines and clothing pieces all typical of a teenage girl's room highlight the lifestyle of a specific demographic. The images critique how social media platforms, such as Pinterest, create an unattainable ideal that create as following for many aspire to. This constant comparison to idealized images fosters insecurities and influences teens to curate their own online personas to mirror these unrealistic standards. The dark edgy grunge elements reminiscent of the 90’s heroin chic movement glamourised an unhealthy lifestyle and sparked concern and outrage as it was negatively influencing teens.​

The composition was created with photography, capturing moments though a digital camera. This method was chosen as it creates a higher quality image forming a cohesive appeal. Flash was used as well to exaggerate the emphasis on the nightlife of these teens. The flash also reflects off the materials of sequinned fabrics, a mirror and simmering eyeshadows which draws the viewers eye to the specified points in the composition. ​

The Artwork displayed could be interpreted in multiple different ways, including being nonchalant about having an exciting aspirational lifestyle. However, it also shows the seedy and more dangerous side which could form a slippery slope to making worse life changing decisions. Whilst this fast-paced life is achievable its only maintainable for a short duration. ​

With a focus on the element of light having a dark environment creates a focal point on the aspects of the images with a shiny reflective appearance. Keeping the audiences focused on the ‘shiny aspects’ of this lifestyle distracts from the gritty misleading fragments of the lifestyle. This aids to build the principle of variety as the images work against each other to create a rough and free unity of photographs. The use of a mirror makes the viewer see themselves in this desirable lifestyle.