Text Portraits
Text messaging is a new method of communication that has been embraced by teenage culture, and it is often the source of conflict in families with teens, as well as situations in which teens must deal with authority figures. Parents often become frustrated with their children for engaging in an activity they see as unimportant and disruptive, and assume that the subject matters of texts cannot possibly be important. They often believe all texts must be gossip, or superficial mindless chatter. Although this may sometimes be the case, texting is also a format in which teens and others fluent in the format may communicate significant information. The format can also be advantageous because it can be a discreet and coded method of communication. It can also be an easier way to share intimate information that might be more difficult to say out loud. This is especially helpful for a teen in crisis that might need counseling from another trusted individual. The immediate nature of texts, and their abbreviated brevity helps whittle down concepts to their most essential parts. This strange new form of intimacy between people can often result in beautiful, reductive poetry.
In this project the three artists will each contribute a single cell phone text "portrait". Each will be approximately 5" x 7" and will hang side by side on the gallery wall. The image will be taken from the point of view of the artist, looking down at a text message displayed on their cell phone. It will document the moment and location that the texts were received. The text they choose to depict for this project will reflect their personal belief in the potential of this new medium.
Blanca Hernandez was born August 10, 1992 in Cd. Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, and moved to the United States when she was nine years old. Now living in San Angelo, Texas, she is a senior at Central High School. Blanca’s interest in art has been with her since she was a child, starting when her father, a carpenter, let her play with his leftover wood to make small sculptures. Her main interest now is photography, and she is currently learning how to develop and print her own pictures in photojournalism class. Her photography was recently presented in San Angelo’s Stock Show and Rodeo and two of her photographs took 2nd place. She has also competed in a Skills USA state competition for 3-d Animation in 2008.
Chloe Jenkins was born February 18, 1992 in Chesapeake, Virginia, where she lived until she was thirteen. She spent her early teen years in San Angelo, Texas, where she attended Central High School. In 2007, she moved to North Carolina. In June 2010, she anticipates graduating as valedictorian from Swansboro High School. In the fall, she will attend college, where she intends to pursue classical civilization and study her Greek-Cypriot heritage. After graduating from college, she hopes to do field work as an archaeologist. Her interests include reading, playing the violin, and travel.
Megan Wynne was born May 9, 1979 in Noth Platte, Nebraska. She lived in Sylacauga, Alabama until she was eleven years old, and then lived in Chesapeake, Virginia until the age of eighteen. As a teenager she was determined that she would become a professional tap dancer, however, that plan got sidetracked when she was accepted into Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York in 1998. Megan graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Sculpture in 2002. She currently lives and works in Oakland, California, and anticipates recieving an MFA in New Genres from San Francisco Art Institute in May 2010.
Contact:
FMWynne@gmail.com
(401)996-5040
Detail
Detail
Detail
