Finding Freedom

Finding Freedom from Jacksen Aukamp on Vimeo.

This video follows Sarvis Anarella, Michael Montini, and Brett Lipsky through their daily routines, and an excursion to find peace of mind and freedom in Steamboat Springs, CO. This video is meant to show the contrasting activities that the individuals undertake from a simple change in location, as well as document the interactions and encounters of the subjects using montage theory. I ultimately drew inspiration from the film “Gummo”, trying to produce a toned down and more personal version of Harmony Korine’s film. Without further ado, I present “Finding Freedom”.

Film Project

 

The process of this project began by experimenting with 16mm clear film, learning how it works, animates, and shows light. After the digitizing of of my and my classmates final projects, I used Adobe Premiere Pro to cut and alter different clips to make a unique handmade video remix. My decisions and concepts were guided by the elements of design, most notably color, shape, and balance. I used vibrant colors to contrast with the dull background seen through the 16mm clear leader, ultimately adding a sense of something different and futuristic compared to this older way of film. I also focused a lot on learning the way film animates and attempted to use a lot of movement and animation in my piece. Despite my choice of expressive colors and hectic movement, I tried to keep balance within my piece to even things out and prevent visual overload.

Paradise Lost (5-7-5 Glitch)

Paradise Lost is meant to highlight the chaos we see throughout the real world, even in places we consider to be perfect. As for my process, I took all of the pictures I used on a vacation in the Turks and Caicos islands in the Caribbean. Then, using Hex Fiend and Audacity, I glitched and altered the pictures to create sequences which showed destructive aspects in this beautiful place. The GIF is made ultimately derived from 7 different pictures, and lasts about 25 seconds (5×5).

Welcome-To-Paradise-(future-gif).gif

Levitated Self (Avatar Project)

Avatar Project

This piece is a representation of my true self through the use of symbolism and metaphor, also referencing the photomontage style of Hannah Hoch. My artistic process began in an effort to connect my own face with different parts of a 4-cylinder engine by splicing different pictures and arranging them in unique ways, ultimately implying that I am constantly running like a machine. I added gauges which look like clocks, and distorted their coloring, since I have my own distorted perception of time and reality. I added the colorful energy to my eyes, running from the engine parts, because I am full of potential greatness and confident about it. The top hand in the image is darker and holding me down, representing the restrictions faced in life. The hand underneath is much lighter in color and lifts me up to the endless limits of the sky.

-Jacksen Aukamp, Levitated Self (Avatar Project)