SOFIA GOTTFRIED

Object response

I never really figured this out...
So I'm uploading my expanded studio as a pdf (and a google drive link in case it doesn't work for some reason)! At the bottom of the presentation is a document elaborating on everything and the sources I used throughout the semester:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r3ugrqPRug4hrQjwFrTcqK9rH3Drqjlg/view?usp=sharing

These past few months I worked on creating a book. And now it's something I have in my hands, it's tangible, and I can hold it. I often wonder how the classes I take in university will influence what I end up doing in life, which is why I'm grateful to have a class where we got to explore just that. Throughout this semester I feel I've identified and defined more clearly who I am as an artist. I appreciated being in a class where everyone's practice was so diverse, I think it's important to interact with people who don't produce the same kind of art you do, being open to other's perspectives has helped improve my own art practice and think of the creation of different projects in more diverse ways, being open to criticism and perspectives I might not have gotten if I was surrounded only by people of my same major or practice. I think my biggest reveal this semester is how much I care about public art, and how I know I will work towards community building through art. The mural project we created was an incredibly rewarding process. Although many of us were disappointed we couldn't follow through with our original plan, I still appreciate that we ultimately managed to create what we had set out to do. This doesn't mean I wouldn't have loved to create a mural, our art being semi-permanent was a major contributing factor to the meaning behind our ideas. Still, I'm amazed we managed to collaborate to create a sort-of cohesive piece that allowed people to interact and be creative. Which, at the end of the day, was always the point.
In terms of my term-long project, I'm really satisfied with the result. The process was so hard and exhausting and I honestly can't believe I managed to do everything I planned. During the critique, when I read the book to everyone, regardless of how well I do academically, seeing how it made people smile was reward enough for me (corny, I know). There are things I would change, but I tend to be really critical of everything I create and I'm trying to apply the same tenderness to myself as I do to what I created this term. I see this book as a starting point for everything I want to do, I'm excited for whatever is to come.

On a more personal note, I really wanted to thank you (Annie) (although I don't think anyone else is going to read this so do I even need to clarify?), the way in which you engaged with art in the city made me want to explore so much more. That day we did the field trip and went to all of these galleries, etc. I felt like a kid in a candy store, I truly cannot believe I didn't know any of that existed and I feel that through this class so many doors have opened, and I'm enthusiastic to see what the future will bring. So, thank you :)

Expanded studio

Semester reflection

Here is a little process video of the book! It's a speed painting of the first 15 pages compressed into 30 seconds