(Nikolic 2016)
This image remixes traditional imagery in the form of an oil painting, via the photo processing technology photoshop, into a visual collage that attempts to communicate broader concepts surrounding digital communication such as audience participation and interaction, fan culture, realistic and unrealistic representation, digital manipulation and representation. The manipulated image extends the message communicated in the original painting by Ary Scheffer (1826), that depicts a group of women seeking for assistance from the virgin Mary, by extending the concept of blind following to the modern landscape of the digital age by introducing a new deity in the form of pop culture icon Kim Kardashian.
The main tools used in the creation of this image involved simple layering functions available in photoshop, because the stylistic choice was to keep everything clean and polished so that the edited images would create a stark contrast when layered against the original image. The layered images are sourced from free stock image websites such as Devianart and Flickr in respect of copyright, and the text was created online through a website called wigflip.com, that enables users to type in text and make their own digital speech bubbles.
Although I’m pleased with this image, this image will serve as a guide for the creation of the final image. This is because the assessment brief requires that we take produce an image, and then bring it into a photo manipulation software. Furthermore the creation of this collage has narrowed down the concepts that the final picture will communicate, thus this picture will serve as an inspirational guide for the final work. I might choose to completely remix the painting through tracing it or re-enacting the painting and then taking a photo in order to create an original piece inspired by the work.
Reference
Scheffer, A. 1826, Greek Women Imploring at the Virgin of Assistance, Google Art Project, viewed 9 October 2016, < https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ary_Scheffer_-_Greek_Women_Imploring_at_the_Virgin_of_Assistance_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg>
Digitally 'Lit' 
The concepts communicated within this image regarding audience participation and interaction as well as fan culture are very well represented. The combining of an oil painting with religious tones with Facebook like images and the portrait of a celebrity communicate the ways in which fan culture has persisted throughout time. The seeking of meaning from religion to the current dependence on technology and social media are very well articulated from the image. The minimal manipulation was also a good decision as to keep the image clear and to not part from the original painting as well. As it is a work in progress it will be interesting to see the end product.
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[Comment from last week – finally sorted my internet sorry it took so long to send!]
“Firstly, I love this idea! It instantly interests me as a young woman surrounded by social media hype on fame and beauty – I guess I’m the perfect audience for this work! The way you have communicated the idea is so striking and affecting (Hardt 2007). The ‘Like’ emoji creates a really subtle vector towards Kim (who was a really good choice as she’s so widely recognised amongst audiences).
Your quote reminds me of Kath and Kim “Beauty knows no pain and you’re a pain that knows no beauty” – I don’t know whether that was intentional but for me it gave an urban Australian touch to the work I really like. The font choice is good maybe enlarge it just a tad and place it at the same level as Kims head (super small detail I know but I think it will even the image out a bit).
This is playful, relevant and evocative. I’d chuck you a ‘like’ on facey for it!”
Hardt, Michael. 2007, ‘Foreword: What affects are good for’, in Halley, J. & Clough, C.P. (eds.), The Affective Turn: Theorizing the Social, Duke University Press.
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As the previous commenter says, the religious tones denote not only how fan culture has persisted over time, but also the ritualistic element that Benjamin talks about in the book ‘Illuminations’ which has been an aspect of art since it was founded with such a function. The use of the original painting raises some copyright issues, but I believe your image has a clear concepts overlaid which go beyond the original intent of the work. However, for safety it might be a good idea to recreate the image with your own poses and/or stock images which can be credited. Overall, a very well-articulated and multifaceted conceptual image.
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