pincponc 02 Australien

South Australian School of Art, University of South Australia // Adelaide



Australian group___Them and us
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// Beth Sporne them & us
I used a simple typographic approach to the ‘them & us’ project. I began to ask myself some questions about the meaning of them and us, including what is the difference between them and us? what is them? what is us? and I finally came to the conclusion that there are no boundaries between the two, where them is made up of us. I communicated this effectively by combining the two words together to form one word and one clear simple image. I used the word them and overlayed the word us upside down coming off the letter m. This gives to feeling that they belong together as one. Therefore I have visually communicated them and us together as a whole where all of the boundaries between them have been removed.
// Them & Us. Male & Female
In my work I explore the difference between genders. What divides the two genders and how do we become them & us? Them & us indicates distinction but at the same time unity. I have chosen very stereotypical male and female objects to create the division that the theme ‘them & us’ implies. From an early age a gender identity is established and we are conditioned into the boy or girl stereotype. Pink and bluebarbies and transformers, ponys and cars. The division continues throughout our life as we dress in and use objects that make us either them, or us. There is a distinct boundary between the two genders, however it is not uncommon for that boundary to be crossed.
The objects I’ve photographed share the page, so immediately a relationship between the two objects is established. This relationship could be seen as the friendships and love that is shared between the two genders or it could be seen as a crossing of boundaries. I wanted to show that within them & us there is harmony too because the boundaries that make up male and female are not as strong as they were 50 years ago. This is an interesting observation as it implies divisions which make them different from us, in any example, are not set in concrete. Whose to say 50 years on, you might be an ‘them’ and they might an ‘us’?
// Daniel Bennett · us & them
There is no denying that all people look at themselves and wonder who they really are, who do they want to be or what they have done. To represent this I have used the common human shadow to portray the thoughts of people in various contexts and of various ages. The first is the child who watches his hero and automatically wants to be one, it is wired into all children’s imaginations.
The next is the corporate executive, burnt out and snowed under by facts and figures, his dreams are to be free of the suit and donning a novelty beverage. And the final, perhaps the more depressing aspect of this theme is a tired old man, edging slowly along thinking back to days of dancing, rhythm and good times.
// Plasticman and the Count Iremendous
The Story: Plaxus, of the planet Plasticon was the greatest hero, villain or otherwise, that the earth had ever known. Heroís have come and gone throughout time, some coming to grief in the frays of battle, some retiring into obscurity and some returning bored to their home planets. None however, have matched the fabulous Plasticman.
His ability to keep the world safe from increasingly violent attacks of terrible evil, coupled with his dashing good looks and old world charm meant that only the most unsound mind would dare to challenge the sanctuary Plasticman had created for earths fragile and obviously clueless inhabitants...
It was a fine Autumn day, and Plasticman was happy. Having just staved off an attempted earth destruction by the "Quite obviously evil ghouls," of the planet Ghasp, he could rest and refi ll his transparent, yet indestructible thermoset body. The transitory nature of earth pleased him, he delighted in constant change. Ever since his escape from Plasticon when he was but a Plastling, he has never forgotten the frozen state of his home planet, rendered coagulated and congealed into a stale and static jelly by the infamous Count _ _ _ _ _.
Plasticman could not help his own planet that fateful day, Plasticon was lost to evil, however his escape and crash landing on the peaceful planet earth gave him a chance to do what he somehow knew he was destined to do, to defend those whom did not have the amazing gift of plastic.
Just as Plasticman knelt to examine a delicate earth flower, he caught a red flash in his peripheral view, and just in time too, as he ducked a fist moving fast enough to fool even the keenest of reflexes. Instinctively, Plasticman let off a stream of toxic pliable goo, felling his assailant most unceremoniously. All in a days work thought thought Plasticman, who had to deal with rogue wannabe villains on regular occasions, different, and as the molten plastic excrement burnt through his internal organs he hissed his last words, "The Count...has come...."
// Rationale: I truely believe that there are two types of people in this world; those of us that skim stones (or wish they could!) and those who will find any rock and throw it in the water. This is a really great metaphor for people like me who like to find the beauty in small things, and take our time to enjoy life, and then there are those of us that live life quickly, and without questions throw themselves into things. Although sometimes you come across somebody who believes they can be both, I believe you’re born that way or you’re not...
// Pedestrians and drivers
//Neve Canevese. ___The one aspect that stood out for me whilst researching this brief was how unique Australia is with respect to its multi-cultural diverse population. Everywhere one walks it is evident that there are many nationalities that occupy this land, bringing with them a special uniqueness to be experienced by all and one that bonds us to the global world. Multiculturalism has created a vehicle for new opportunities of personal and social enrichment through learning about others’ life perceptions on how the world is. Today one can step out into their neighbourhood and get an immediate taste of different customs, traditions, celebrations, restaurants, theatre, music, dance, and clothing to name a few. With this thought in mind, it suddenly occurred to me that such diversity can bring hope to our young child and teenage population, whom are constantly bombarded with cleverly manipulative visual messages that one must be physically beautiful if they are to succeed and be happy in this world. Specifically, I chose to target the Western female ‘model’ ideal and contrasted this image with that of a curvaceous Spanish ‘flamenco’ dancer, in order to make the statement that one will only find true fulfilment through self-acceptance and acceptance of all others - experienced through ‘real’ culture. For the above reason this concept challenges the notion of ‘them and us’ as it currently exists throughout our social structure. It focuses on the graceful beauty of a flamenco dancer (to represent an icon of ‘us’ and life’s joyful cultural experiences) and contrasts it with ‘them’ represented by the model ideal, who has fallen victim to a fickle lifestyle that robs her of ever knowing or accepting her true self. In summary, this example of ‘them and us’ illustrates a dichotomy that highlights the path of social freedom as opposed to the path of social entrapment, and invites one to join in, participate and stop missing out. Photography by Nives Canevese. Taken at a Prospect street party, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

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