Ready and Hesitant

Ready

Returning to school after a holiday break reminds me of when I entered my first college art class not too long ago. Our professor asked us to list words to describe the whirlwind of emotions we felt on this first day of a new beginning. Many of my classmates used the words "ready" and "hesitant" to summarize their anticipation of the year ahead. Is it possible to be both at once?

Hesitant...

Through an experiment with solid black circles and outlined squares on white paper, we explored the meaning of these words and the emotions behind them. Limiting expression to these forms challenged me to consider how placement can change meaning in visual media. I close the small gap between the black dot and square edge to change my representation from "ready" to "hesitant". To me, feeling ready means openness to forward motion, while feeling hesitant might mean resisting the changes ahead.

This experiment also allowed me to realize the role that language plays in visual expression. As an English/Spanish speaker, I read my languages from left to right and top to bottom so naturally, I "read" images with the same motion. To me, these two dots appear on the edge of motion from left to right. If I had grown up speaking a language read from right to left or bottom to top however, I might see these dots differently. Instead of appearing on the edge of motion, they might seem to be stuck against the left wall of the square after an already completed motion. Even with shapes as basic as circles and squares, language and context change meaning.

With many experiments ahead, I feel ready to explore the wide range of contexts and media that can form art and share them with you in this blog!