Facetime: Self-Portrait Collage
Facetime Self Portrait Collage | Creative mindfulness exercise inspired by Hanoch Pivan
Facetime, video calls are an excellent way to connect. However, have you ever thought of how you might communicate without your smartphone camera?
Let's play zombies
Imagine there's been a zombie apocalypse, and you're rebuilding the new world. You've met some fellow survivors and want to get to know each other a little. You all decide it would be an excellent idea to create a self-portrait - as you do after the end of the world, right? ;)
However, all methods of communication have disappeared. Pens, paint, paper and pencils, all gone. Along with the cameras and smartphones. All you had around you was a bunch of objects from your homes; or what was left of them. What would you do?
Well, luckily, you discover a book that survived the apocalypse—a book by collage artist Hanoch Piven.
Art is Play
I've only recently come across the work of collage artist Hanoch Piven. I'm so pleased I did because, for me, he epitomises what a pure artist is.
Hanoch Piven does the same thing we do as children: he sees potential in everyday objects and uses everyday objects to communicate.
“Art is a means of communication, and so we are communicating through objects. The process is as important as the final outcome.”
— Hanoch Piven
Using a collection of objects, from old toys to disused taps, from fruit and vegetables to vehicle parts, Hanoch uses the process of collage to create ingenious portraits.
“Collage is a very easy, inclusive and democratic method. Anybody can do it.”
— Hanoch Piven
Like Hanoch, I love collage because it's a beautiful method to loosen up and see the world through different perspectives. It's also very accessible. Especially if you're terrified of a paintbrush or think you can't draw (a fact I refuse to accept - everyone can draw, by the way!)
Facetime: A Self-Portrait Collage
I invite you to see this self-portrait collage as a metaphor for you as an individual. Recognising that, like the objects, you are a unique combination of different experiences, loves, likes and dislikes, arranged in your own unique way.
So think of this exercise as 'thinking inside the box'.
Thinking inside the box requires a simple shift in your mindset. It says that all the building blocks for your ideas are right in front of you. All you have to do is reorganise what is already there.
Ingredients
For this creative exercise you will need:
A3 cardboard in any colour you like
A glue gun (optional if you want to stick your objects down)
Any objects, large and small that you find around the house. Raid your kitchen, bathroom or garage. Whatever takes your fancy!
Instructions
Using the A3 card as a canvas, make a face from found objects—your face.
Think about how the objects you use could represent your personality. Your loves, maybe your hates too.
I would also highly recommend you play with limiting the number of objects in your composition. Perhaps 5 or 9? Or what could you create with only 3 objects? Creating limits like this will really help flex your creative muscles.
Importantly, trust the process. Make mistakes and stay with it. Try and try and try until you find your face in the objects. Actually, there really is no right or wrong in this exercise. It's just playing. Have fun!
Reflection & Enquiry
Ask: how was this exercise for you? Fun, boring? Did it feel pointless? Or did you simply enjoy the process of play? Did you find yourself laughing at your self-portrait collage? (I hope so - this is meant to be fun!).
Try: Can you involve the whole family with this exercise? I think kids would love this one. Perhaps you could make portraits of each other. Using the objects to explore and represent facets of your personalities, likes and dislikes.
If you don't need the objects again, use a glue gun to fix the objects to your cardboard and display your portraits in your very own home 'art exhibition'.
I would love to see pictures of your creations. Email your images and thoughts to info@georgiestclair.com or tag me @georgiestclair on Instagram
Have an inspired day!
Georgie x