After some group evaluation of our process so far, we started to discuss the first things we think the audience will pick up on when they enter the space. We wondered whether we needed to add anything else. Is our piece too static? Too silent? We asked. We began to think of all the different perspectives of our piece. One thing we have discussed as part of the process has been the links we can make between our piece and Sexism. As Tom is drawing us while we apply the makeup, aesthetically you could say it appears as though the application of make up is for him, or for all men in fact. Perhaps we should question why any girl puts on makeup and ‘improves’ her usual look. Is it for men? Or Is it for everyone in society as a general? There are so many pressures coming from a variety of different places to be this idea of perfect, The ‘ideal’. Something idealistic is in my opinion something which does not exist, it is a false expectation.
Further discussion led us to wonder whether we should have any audio playing during our piece. The idea was to play something which would encourage the audience to question all of the things we have been questioning through the whole process. However, we did not want to tell them exactly what we wanted them to think, we wanted there to be some freedom for them. It was a last minute desicion for us to do some voice recordings of ourselves reading out passages from fashion magasines which contain makeup advice and instructions on how to apply make up.
‘If you want a dewy, fresh-faced finish then a light, liquid formula is best. Look for words such as sheer and illuminating and you’re set for a glowing complexion. I find these liquid bases give a wonderfully moist, glowing look to the skin which immediately revs up a tired, dry looking complexion.’
We felt this would emphasise how many women place such importance on makeup and looking their best. We were also fascninated with the similiarty between instructions on how to apply makeup and instructions on how to paint. By recording and playing instructions for both we thought how fitting to reiterate the ever growing links between art and the human form.
After more exploration into how we wanted to place ourselves when applying the makeup, we decided on a gradual change of position throughout the piece. As we wanted to show how this is something which is false but also a routine. Each time after removing our makeup we were to sit in another position, each time something less formal and more comfortable. By the end we aimed to either be laying on the floor or across the benches, expressing boredom. We would also be making a little less effort during each application so that by the end we were simply smearing foundation on our bodies aimlessly. We hoped this would communicate the message of how it is not something enjoyable but a chore; something we feel we need to do. Also, we thought how lovely to have this abstract image of bodies smeared in foundation whilst playing out is precise instructions on how to get the perfect cheek bones or skin tone.
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