Task #2 Experimental Film

On the first introduction to this task, my initial idea was to go along with exactly what the brief said; pick a word/object and work from there as a starting point. My first thoughts were to pick a part/s of the human body, and explore these and their connotations for the duration of the film. I thought of focusing on skin, lips, hair, eyes, and then even more specific; the creases and folds of the skin, birth marks, freckles, wrinkles. I imagine all of these would provided a starting point with plenty of potential to develop. My mind then started to look at this backwards; thinking of different emotions, thoughts and feelings to convey, before pinpointing a specific word or object. For example, from what I gather, experimental film can be heavily influenced by art; either one's own or the work of others. One artist I have always found completely bizarre, yet incredibly interesting and meaningful, was that of British artist Tracey Emin. Often described as a 'consummate storyteller' Emin's work engages the viewer with her candid exploration of universal emotions. Well-known for her confessional art, Tracey Emin uses personal details from her life in order to engage the viewer with her expressions of universal emotions. 

This concept of 'confessional art' is something that is providing a real pinpoint for me in beginning this project; taking something personal and making it impersonal by showing and sharing to the world, through an exploration of our shared understanding of universal emotions. A particular piece of Emin's work, "Everyone I have ever slept with" is one which my mind has focused on. Often mistaken as "Everyone I've ever had sex with", this piece presents to us all of the intimate relationships that Emin had had up until the point it was made. I see it as a very raw and personal piece; the names appliquéd on the inside of the tent are those of family members, children, friends and lovers. It implies to us the different types of relationships, and the intense feelings which can be tied to those relationships, whether it be love, lust, sorrow, anger or pain.

This piece of art, along with many other of Emin's work, has inspired me to explore the concept of 'confessional art'. This could either be literally tied to "The tent" as I have many ideas which could relate to the piece at this point, or it could be a starting point to develop into a whole new concept.