Jac Stoddard
Perceive Yourself
Who am I?
I am someone who likes to see other people happy.
I am someone who wants humanity to be more considerate.
I am someone who would like everyone to be comfortable within themselves.
I am someone who enjoys a slower pace of life.
I am someone who loves nature.
I am someone who takes time to appreciate the little moments in life.
I am someone who believes energy can never die.
I am someone who is happy to be where I'm from.
I am someone who feels there are too many machine minded people.
Landscapes give me a lot of inspiration in many different ways and some of my favourite artists and designers; Henri Matisse, George Condo, Liam Hodges, Iwan Gwyn Parry, Jackson Pollock, Colm Dillane and Austin Augie. This list will keep growing, inspiration is endless.
What makes me happy?
Freedom Nature Simplicity
What makes me angry?
Greed Arrogance Bitterness
Skills I'm comfortable with
Interpersonal Persistence Adaptability Emotional-Intelligence Teamwork
Skills I could improve
CAD Planning Time Managment Accurate Drawing Videography
Core Values
Don't over think in creating.
Be ambitious.
Be daring.
Make mistakes.
Think empathetically.
Be open to everything.
Statement
In this world where I feel greedy and thoughtless individuals have far too much power. There needs to be a change in the tides. Many innocent people are being dragged into the rip. But it only takes one person to keep them afloat. We must bond together to create a vessel to be more thoughtful. To create a place for people to feel their content within themselves.
There are many dark clouds floating in this world. We must learn from their lining. That lining can take countless forms and look different to everyone. Even though the clouds look far, they effect us all the same. Focusing on the lining is important to me, to make this world a better place, to break the rip of greed, power and thoughtlessness.
Manifesto 'Poster'
Initial Ideas
Wanting to make the world one big community.
Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator speech covers topics which are still relevant today.
Big players in the fashion industry such as; Patagonia, Veja, Stella Mccartney and many more have core values which are innovative ideas to push for a better future.
Nature is beautiful to everyone, yet it is suffering.
People have very different values, especially when greed taints their own goals.
To write on a garment and have a reaction to the writing, then document the reaction in some form, either through photography or videography.
Initially using a pair of overalls was the original plan, but this changed as I could't find any in a charity shop. I then opted for a trench coat, as I felt the back would be a good canvas for my chosen words.
The objective of adding white stripes with an oil pen to the back of the coat was to ensure the words stood out, as they would be in colour. I wasn't sure what words to choose as they had to be powerful words relating to the manifesto.
After this first session on the trench coat the oil pen I had just bought ran out after doing this one side. I contemplated using white acrylic paint, but I preferred the way the oil pen looks on the fabric.
Adding all the white stripes was a very time consuming process due to the pens running out very quickly and also needing to go over each stripe 3-4 times. But I am happy with the overall result as I do believe it makes the words stand out more. Upon reflection I could explore different methods of colouring the fabric which isn't as time consuming.
Thinking about how the coat would reflect the manifesto and if I would photograph the coat or video the coat was a tough decision, therefore I decided to make a photographic video. Two initial ideas I had was; have people write words which make them happy on the back of the coat, but it took too long with the pens I was using. The second idea was to have people react to the coat somehow within a video. But it was hard to capture that idea in an image.
I decided to photograph the coat in an abandoned quarry with the ocean in the background referring to the theme of water which I wrote within the manifesto. When photographing myself I tried capturing my movements as this would look more effective within a video. When looking back on the photos, the wind causes movements which also adds to the energy of the image. As the clouds were rather gloomy that specific day, I thought it made for quite dramatic pictures.
Creating a video as my computer skills aren't too advanced, was a fun process finding how different overlaid images work together to create a new image. Reflecting upon the manifesto, and the conditions of the photoshoot. Inspired me to use 'Iron Sky' by Paolo Nutini as the background music in the video as it mirrors the dramatic landscape pictures. Also within the song it features a segment of Charlie Chaplin's 'Final Speech' from 'The Great Dictator'. This inspired me a lot with this task as to me a manifesto made me reflect on my ethics, much like the speech did. Therefore 'Iron Sky' by Paolo Nutini seemed the perfect music for the video.
