critique: project 1

This self portrait video project was really interesting because every person came to have some kind of relationship with their cardboard construct. The doppleganger ended up being a representative of all different things from costume and alter ego to spokeswoman and abstract representation of self. It was interesting because each video evoked some sort of empathetic emotional response. It was usually empathy with the cardboard person. The were made to have human elements; image, actions, dialogue, interactions, and the fact we knew this was a self portrait project all contributed to the feeling of connection between the viewer and the cardboard. In one video the construct became this mischievous character and it became this extremely weird thing out in a bar. Another gave us a sense of loneliness with a cardboard self pasted with a photograph which got peeled off in the rain.

The video had to be a 60 to 90 seconds which to be honest really made them easier to watch. Not for the quality, I just can admit that I have a hard time focusing my attention to videos, I have to force myself to pay attention. The length of the videos let us, during the critique, watch each video multiple times and so we were able to really find specific things that worked or did not really work. I think many of the videos really spoke to the absurdity of life. Some were taking this cardboard so seriously. Others brought it out into public and let things happen. The idea of taking something ridiculous out into a public area is hilarious to me. I liked that about this project, even though for my own I did not go out into the world. Maybe I should have gone out and gotten a table for two at some restaurant.