Maurizo Anzeri
​
RESPONSE
I responded to Maurizo Anzeri's image by creating a black and white portrait and then using embroidery to add a pattern to the image. I first created a ring around the eye similar to patterns often used by Anzeri. I also believe this shows the psychological aspect of the photograph as I believe it shows how what the model sees in their brain is nowhere close to the melancholy present in the facial expression and body language present in the photograph. I used Different shades of green similar to Anzeri's piece showing the composed nature of the image. I made the image black and white to create a similar juxtaposition to that which Anzeri had used. To improve my image, in the future I would include more stitching to cover the model's whole face to create Anzeri's effect of making the model almost unrecognisable.
RESPONSE DEVELOPMENT
After responding to Maurizo Anzeri, I decided to develop on my image to further link to the modern day and include an aspect of technology. In the same way as my previous response, I made the image black and white to highlight the juxtaposition of the stitching and the background image. Unlike my other image, i decided to take photographs of a model using their phone, I did so as in the modern day, the majority of young people in the UK are consumed by their phone and find it different to take their eye away from the screen. As the stitching is used by Anzeri to show the emotion and feeling of the model I used the stitching to highlight the idea of technology being the main topic of a young person's mind. By connecting the eyes and the phone i believe this shows the effect of technology consumption. I also Decided to focus on stitching on the head/ brain rather than the face to also show how her brain is consumed by what is happening on her phone. To improve my image I would include more stitching around the head to create a greater impact and possible try using colours not of the same palette, despite being what Anzeri does.
ABOUT
Maurizo Anzeri makes his portraits by sewing directly on to photographs. Anzeri uses the embroidery as almost a costume for the model and is also psychological as can be used to show the emotion of the model. His use of mixed media and vintage photographs combines the past with contemporary styles. Anzeri had stated his images suggest 'other possible evolutionary dimensions for the people pictured'. Anzeri's images include forms of surrealism as he embroiders on the photographs until almost unrecognisable. There is also a juxtaposition in Anzeri's work with the sombre face of the models mixed with the brightly coloured and avant garde embroidery. His use of vintage photographs adds to the juxtaposition in his work when considering the colours used, this also highlights the surrealism as the colours disagree with the aesthetics of the images.
EMBROIDERED IMAGE BY ANZERI
This image by Maurizo Anzeri shows a young girl in a vintage photograph, looking almost as though it is similar to how school photographs are taken now. Due to being a vintage photograph, the image has the look as though it has been tea stained. Anzeri has then embroidered on the image in different shades of green in a structural pattern circling her eye covering her entire face. The brightly coloured stitching juxtaposes the dull colours present in the background image. The way the embroidery covers her hole face creates a mask which may be showing the emotion she wishes to express. The young girl was being told to sit still whilst this photograph was being taken although her imagination continued to run wild. Juxtaposing the avant garde present in the shapes he uses, the way Anzeri has used colours all of the same pallette show he desired to give the image the aesthetic of despite being individual, is also structured and composed.
I used Photoshop to create a black and white effect to the images to create a juxtaposition similar to Anzeri. In future, I would possibly add a warming filter to the image or burn the edges of the image to create more of a vintage effect, as though juxtaposition with colour is present, the juxtaposition with old and new is slightly lost due to the contemporary style of the photograph.
I decided that this image had too large a wide angle to create the embroidery effect I desired as I wanted to focus on facial features and the eye.
I decided not to use these images as would not create my desired effect as would be hard to see the connection between the phone and the models eyes.
To be similar to Anxeri's work wanted a sombre face and look to the image. I believe using face on images created this as requires more thought and shows they are not standing like that by choice and are standing as so for the camera.