media collage -- subverted by fear

[bakerbaker]

I dug this out of my parents basement over the winterbreak.  It's a collage I made for an art class I took senior year in 'o4.  It's one of my favorite pieces of art from highschool, and I decided to share it w/ you all as well.



It's suprisingly socially conscious considering my mindset at the time.  I wouldn't say I was necessarily apathetic.  nor would i say i was politically conscious, either.  The development of the composition was more or less inspired by simple observation...of the media, the news, and current events.  It's hard to say what my train of thought was in composing this.  The music I was listening to at the time was definitley a strong factor...as it always seems to be with me.  (note citation:  our time honored tradition of cannibalism  by  boysetsfire)--Ironically enough, a band with communist sympathies...but i thought they rocked, and i still listen to them from time to time.

It's interesting to look back on it four years later, though--to see what it speaks to me now.  If i had to give it a working title, I think it would be subverted by fear.   I especially like the fishing/baiting scheme.  The fish to me represent the citizenry...a very dumb and basic animal that symbolizes an unthinking majority.  The suited figure in the gas mask is holding fishing lures.  I see this as a representation of the corporate media.  The lures being held represent that most basic, instinctual, and susceptible of human emotions:  fear--The insturment used to pander to the broadest cross-section of the American public, at large.  The background of the composition, reminiscent of a 'sky' is littered with torn up clippings of news-week and time mag. stories, etc.

Personally, I like the concept...but I'm not too huge on the composition.  I'm thinkin' about a remix.