Abstract

What do we choose to see? Do we see what others tell us to see? If I were to tell you that something is what it isn't, would you believe me? Would your level of belief be based on our level of acquaintance? It appears that we, human beings, have developed a highly acute set of skills, which enable us to believe what we choose, whether based on fact or fiction. Our perception is dictated by what we learn and what we experience. When what we learn is controlled or influenced by others around us, and we loose sight of our truth and adopt a general truth. Once we establish a comfort level of general truth, we then develop facades. We present theses facades to rationalize the artificial and protect the actual. We present theses facades in our everyday interactions and functions. Facades or the art of deception is something that has intrigued me for a long time.

Façade is a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation. Why do we create facades? We create facades to ignore questions or to alleviate future questions. We accept general truth as reality and don't question. We create to protect and regain control of our Ego. Does this explanation prove that façade's can be tools for self-preservation? I believe that we, the human species, are stuck, stagnate, in a transition

Between, what we know as truth and what others dictate as truth. We find ourselves not asking, not striving, but always wanting more. We find ourselves scared, alone, and wandering with false direction but expecting arrival. This work will address whether the façade, what we show, is a tool used to protect our inner selves, what we really are; or actually a tool that will untimely destroy or hinder our prolonged perception and growth.

The objects presented are used to illustrate this introspective examination. They will be facsimiles of everyday iconic functioning tools. These objects will hint towards metaphorical undertones through the use of labels and text, which relate to specific psychological defense mechanisms. These defense mechanisms include, denial, repression, regression, displacement, rationalization, and projection. Defense Mechanisms are innate coping tools that our psyche develops in order to preserve and rationalize our ego. Theses defenses are said to be a necessity to our survival. As cognitive emotional being we are given a very unique ability and opportunity to feel and mentally process that feeling. However, as fallible entities, we find comfort and stability in in our attempts to not recognize. Are defense mechanisms a method of protection for survival or sustainability?

This exhibition will recreate a some-what comical environment of self- reflection and self- preservation. The objects presented will be facsimiles of everyday iconic functioning tools. Some of theses objects will include, brooms, cardboard boxes and a dumpster. The presentation of these specific objects will be oriented similar to how they would be placed in their natural functioning setting. These objects will hint towards metaphorical undertones, which relate to sociological and psychological processes of our cognitive development through means of labels and text. The recreation of these non- functional objects will metaphorically express citchy, cliché sayings that best represent the psychological defense mechanism. This body of work will explore visual, metaphorical references alluring towards introspection and dialog between what we perceive, and what we know to be truth.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Glass sculpture--Themes, motives; Decoration and ornament--Trompe l'oeil; Defense mechanisms (Psychology)

Publication Date

5-25-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Glass (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School for American Crafts (CIAS)

Advisor

Michael Rogers

Advisor/Committee Member

Robin Cass

Advisor/Committee Member

Carlos Caballero-Perez

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at NB1270.G4 S433 2014

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

GLASS-MFA

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