This confusing work, as some have describe it is just that, confusing. The stop motion animation, Individual Focus (video link here) attempts to look at the larger idea of being self centered. And while it is true that all of us, to a certain extent, have left enough of this trait behind in our childhood to view the world, we still have a some of that characteristic as adults.
The video uses polymer clay to represent individuals and the wire and branches as the foundation upon which we build connections. It follows the path of one such “individual” along a story-like path, encountering (or losing) others, forming connections, and broadening their world. There are many emotions expressed throughout. Such as loss when some of the encountered others vanish or move to the side and seem to melt. Or fear as the individual moves to see more of the world, and the background begins to tear apart.
In all of this though, the movement is almost entirely centered on or around that individual. If they move away, objects become stilled mirroring the idea of how we cannot know what is going on with those we care about when we are not there. They are there but just as static people. Until we think about it for more than a moment. After all, time rolls on, friends and family continue on just as we are doing. Just as you are doing now, reading this artwork statement.
The trick though is we are the only ones who knows what it is like to be us, what experiences, what thoughts, what feelings we have. We do not know others stories, just our own. So what exactly does it mean to be in a crowd where everyone is “just seeing themselves?” The answers to this can be hard and confusing, just like this video, and, if we are being honest, life itself at times.
ºhttps://blog.cognifit.com/childhood-development-stages/
Not every aspect of this work has fully been record here. Some of the meaning has been left for others to consider and come to their own conclusion, after all, life has no clear goals. We are all just living through each moment.
