Wonder Women Proposal
By: Jennifer Torres
My works explores the human body and its relationship to nature and the social and psychological aspects of body image. In “Embodymyths” which was shown in April 2016, I was able to the ideology of the perfect human body dictates our perception of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Social media has become our drug for an unsatisfied hunger for perfection. One cannot deviate too far from the standards without humiliation and despair. In my work I explore the resistance to these standards.
During the Wonder Women Residency I intend to create 2 sculptures and possibly one drawing to explore the connection of the selfie and individuals’ need to establish originality and value. The plan would be to create at least 2 sculptures focusing on the facial expression or lack of expression I should say. One sculpture, a bust (finalized in polyurethane or resin) would be posed in a typical selfie stance however have a blur effect on the face as it is looking up towards an arm holding a smartphone arm. The blurred face represents the anonymous and unoriginal identity of the popular selfie that is accomplished through compulsive need to document and publish images conforming to the #selfie. Another proposed sculpture would be on a large mirror which I would mount a series of life-cast arms holding smartphones each turned towards the audience. The arms would be at most length from the hand to the elbow and would line the outer edge going inward to create a small opening that viewers can see themselves. Lastly if time allows would be a complex selfie image translated into a charcoal drawing. The complex selfie image itself would be a creative one playing with double images that could be done with mirrors or even play with a blur image of myself. Thus bringing to light the duality nature that can occur.
Artist Statement: https://jennifertorres.org/artist-statement/
Portfolio: https://jennifertorres.org/portfolio/
