POST 100: Understanding the artistic vision.

This is my 100th post!

I can't believe how much I've gotten into blogging. When this assignment first came up almost a year ago, I thought it was the dorkiest thing ever. A blog? I thought to myself. Why the hell would I ever read a blog, much less write one? Who has even written a blog since, like, 2005? If we're pretending it's 2005, why don't we all just start using MySpace and ooh-ing and ahh-ing over camera phones again? Let's all just tote around 1st-gen iPods, too, while we're at it. Oh, and maybe look at people who wear skinny jeans like they're freaks.

Admittedly, I did find writing this blog a bit stupid at first. However, I like writing, and I like expressing my opinions even more. So that, combined with the fact that I like talking about myself (doesn't everyone?), combined with the fact that I make a concerted effort to NOT talk about myself (it's annoying), added up to this blog being the perfect outlet for me. People could read what I had to say if they wanted to, but they certainly didn't have to. In fact, I didn't think ANYONE had been reading my blogs since December (when class ended), but I figured, if no one was reading, then I could say whatever I wanted. Turns out, a lot of my friends were actually reading, and even some people I DIDN'T know in the blogosphere! That made me feel like what I had to say was important, and that people actually cared about what was going on in my life.

So now, for my 100th post, I'm going to open up about my artistic vision. The next few things are tangible images of thoughts that swirl around in my head constantly. I have a blur of music, dialogue, and imagery going through my head at all times. Sometimes, I get so sucked in that I can literally see what's going on in my head right in front of me. (No, this is not a result of hallucinogenic drugs--it's an actual psychological condition, like the people who see colors when they listen to music. Lady Gaga and BB King both have it. Look it up.) I can stay in this state for hours.

The way I'm going to allow you to "experience" these visions is through sound and imagery. Play the song, and then look at the images while the song is playing. (If an actual music video is posted, watch the video first as an intro, then replay the song and look at the pictures.) Allow the music and the images to interact in your mind's eye. Most importantly, PLEASE keep an open mind and a clear head.

The first vision is of 1960s and 1970s counterculture/youth culture and the sexual revolution. I have always been drawn to this era, for as long as I can remember, and it is still a driving force behind many of my creative ideas.

The second vision contains elements of both storybook fantasy and the Victorian Era, but the strongest element is surrealism. Let's call it "Alice in Wonderland."

The final vision is the most prominent, powerful, and persistent of the visions. I call it the "Beautiful Dirty Rich" vision (yes, named after the Lady Gaga song...that song actually put a name to what I was seeing.)

(All images via Bumper Sticker for Facebook)

The work of Marilyn Minter captures the "Beautiful Dirty Rich" vision perfectly.

(All images (c) Marilyn Minter. From left to right: "Choke," "Cyclone," and "Mudbath.")

This, of course, is only a small part of what goes on in my mind. However, hopefully this gave you some insight, and perhaps some inspiration as well.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura