Associations

Image association is a quality inherent in all forms of visual art. It is through association that we come to connect to an image. And the depth of association is the entire basis for defining the depth of connection as meaning.  Entire art movements have had a direct foundational basis in exploring the nature of association itself. Dada, and  Pop Art being obvious examples which explore and exploit association as subject in a deliberate manner , irrespective of differences in their theoretical or technical approaches. My own visual output, personal and commercial, relies entirely on association; Success or failure depends on my ability to achieve the intention of a specific motivating association.

 

Self Portrait   Copyright Emma G, 2008 

It is hard for me to single out an aspect of my own identity as well, that is completely devoid of associations. My trans gender identification relies significantly on associations, especially visually ones. These visual associations depend not only on my own perception of the associations, but also on the degree of adherence or variance they encounter in relation to culturally perceived associations. They are often taken from diverse and sometimes conflicting sources. Part of the process of discovery (or recovery) that most trans identified seem to go through. 

Marianna in Lisbon, Portugal does a regular ongoing series of postings on her blog exploring her own personal image associations that I enjoy a great deal. I thought it might be fun to offer my own variation on her theme.

 

Pinup, circa 1930s    Copyright,  Alberto Vargas (1896-1982)

 

 

Pinup: Self Portrait after Vargas   Copyright Emma G, 2008

Any associations, beyond an attempt to capture the stylistic and aesthetic concerns  that might have made Vargas’ work uniquely his own, I leave open: As being at best potentially marginal if unconsciously present. and not as any conscious intention of my own.

~ by emma on May 1, 2008.