the art of us

 "All communication begins with an intention, and your intention determines the quality of your life."

- Danielle LaPorte

Today, think about social media and your place in it. Think about your own avatars and how (and what) we communicate through these visuals. What if there was a project that was created with the hope and respect rooted deeply at its core? What if the intentions were to connect everyone through the lens of their camera and through the social networking sites that define this time of our lives? 

A new project is about to be born. The Art of Us. This project strives to connect all of us together in a gallery of avatars. It's aesthetics and people and social media and truth. Because this is how we relate to one another. Every day. This is our world in the twenty-first century. This is what our kids witness while growing up. This is how our parents wrestle with new technology. 

This is us. 
This is our culture. 

So, there should be an importance in this, right? We should be more mindful of what we put out there. This is the art of us! We want you to tell your story and share your art through the image you put out to the world, your avatar..  your profile picture! 

Recently, a profile picture exhibition project was brought to my attention. Be Art. A great idea, I thought... afterall, this is our world, this is how we relate, this is how we share bits and pieces of our days, our triumphs, our struggles. Our profile pictures are tiny pieces of art, tiny reflections of self, our voice put out there in square pixel format for all our the world to see. But upon further investigation, to be honest, it wasn't at all what it seemed. Looks can be deceiving! And further conversations were had on the topic. You can find those conversations here.

I know that art is subjective, but it seemed that the implied party scene of avatars shown with their video were supposed to represent this period in history as the "art" of today. And, well, that's not MY voice (nor the voices of my peers.) So we'd like to offer an alternative for everyone out there. This is the tiny seed that was planted and grew into a project about to be born. 

When I realized that I didn't want the Be Art project to represent any tiny bit of who i am as a person who uses social media... it opened a space in my heart for offering an alternative. The alternative is: The Art of Us. You see, there's a reaction that comes from shock value. and then there's a reaction that comes from light and truth. I personally think the world should be focusing on positivity. On how we can lift ourselves up with respect for each other and hold ourselves in the best light possible. 

I teach classes on self portraiture. It's a big part of my existence as a photographer, as an artist, as a mother partner daughter sister. i recently wrote a feature article in DP Magazine on self portraits and was pleased by the like minds that reached out. and in the words of DP Magazine's editor, Wes Pitts, he shared the same perspective. “One of our favorite articles in this issue (DP Magazine Oct 2012) is by Meredith Winn... who offers thoughtful ideas for creating more interesting and authentic self-portraits. Though social networks are gratuitously littered with snapshots of people making silly duck faces, we’re refreshingly reminded that self-portraiture can be a truly personal, elevated art form that’s not contrived out of sheer vanity, but rather emerges from honest experience and introspection.”

So, can we start a new revolution? Who's with us?! Can we create art as a form of activism? I think there's so much power in photography. I feel really strongly about harnessing the power of it and using those super powers for good, not evil. Photography and self portraiture need not be defined. But there is a responsibility that comes with wielding a camera (and pointing it at ourselves) there is the hope for depth, there is always a path for human growth and self-awareness that holds true, even in the face of opposition.

We believe in the power of photography.
We believe that nothing is ordinary
that everything can be seen as art.
We believe in the power of positivity.
We believe that cameras are tools of expression.
We believe we can be the change we want to see in the world.
We believe in beauty
(that an authentic representation of self can empower the masses.)
We believe in respect
(that when we share what is genuine we find others of like minds.)
We believe that your masculinity, your femininity, your weakness, your strength
are all worthy of being documented.
We believe we are all complicated, messy, beautiful human versions of self.
We believe this is the art of us.
We believe this is the art of you, too.

Today, share your thoughts. Do you have a passion about this? Or are you wondering what's the point and how can one person change anything anyway? We'd love to hear from you today.

Comments

[tisha carter]

Yes! I do have a passion for this. And sometimes I do wonder what's the point and how can I change anything. But ultimately something amazing happens and I get re-inspired all over again. I love the term, "The Art of Us".
I think that is why I started my Humans of New Zealand project (on facebook). Being inspired by the natural and inherent beauty and goodness of the people all around me helped me begin to find my path and purpose here.
As I write this I am listening to the TedTalk by Louie Schwartzberg, which is saying exactly the same thing, all about the art of us. Magic. Thank you for your post tonight, Meredith!
:)
Tisha

[damiec]

Oh Meredith, I found myself shaking my head in agreement more and more vigorously as I read further into this post. In my darker moments of self doubt I wonder if I am totally swimming against the stream. The official art world seems obsessed with shock, ugliness and sensationalism today, and these are never the things the prompt me to pick up my camera and make art.

I absolutely believe that we should use the media of today to elevate the truth, the beauty and the light in our lives, just as artists have done for centuries. The shallow, shocking and the prurient are easy, but we are so much more than that. I look forward to learning more about this project.

[Sara K]

I found this post incredibly poignant in light of watching the Dust Bowl documentary on PBS. It was through various photographers' lenses that people in the US at that time really started to recognize how hard things were on the plains and elsewhere during the Great Depression. By taking intentional, real photographs now, we can tell the story of today in much the same way.

[Matt]

Great great great post.

[Linda]

I love the idea of "being art" but have to agree that every image does not need to hold a shock value, that there is so many more creative, moving ways to express the innermost things that are uncovered through self-portraiture. My first thought is that some of those images were just for the shock value and the artist hasn't really gone down to their soul with their lens but, like you said, art is subjective. It could be just the next "fad" that will quickly burn out. An easy path instead of a more meaningful path of self exploration that self-portraiture can be.
I personally prefer less shocking self-portraiture. I believe it is possible to create powerful images from dark moods without extreme shock value, or playful images that do not always reflect Van Gogh. I prefer to leave behind images of myself that will show who I am, on the surface and sometimes a glimpse into my soul. Self-portraiture is an art but it is not an art I find enjoyable when it is used without feeling and truth. It can evoke the same in a viewer.

"The art of us" sounds so good!

Thank you for a great post! I love that selfie!

[Anna]

I have never rethought about how my avatar could be an expression of art, but this is such an interesting idea. I look forward to learning more about it.