Statement

A well composed and aesthetically pleasing picture is in reality a subjective point of view. As I was thinking of what type of art piece I wanted to present to the class I started to think of what is good composition. Who has made up these rules? I know that we as humans find value in pictures composed with the rule of thirds or various other compositional rules, but is this an innate sense that we are born with or has it been a forced tradition? I thought of this with regards to the article The Ecstasy of Influence. This article addresses the fact that there is no such thing as originality anymore and that we actually borrow from other artists before us. This is called cryptomensia, a subconscious plagiarism that occurs in human beings because of the eclectic and steady flow of artistic works that will influence and individual. Well this applies to the rule of thirds or any other compositional rule. When we compose art we borrow or use rules of composition, and in a sense are recreating a composition or piece of art that has been done before. I chose to use a picture of a staircase that is present at BYU. Although staircases have been photographed many times I found that this particular staircase had a compositional value and aesthetic that I found simplistic yet beautiful. This photograph represents my connection to BYU and my respect and gratitude for this wonderful institution. To me this staircase represents the fluidity of the ups and downs of life, but also the very rough path that we can take when we stumble in our lives.  I also believe that the design architectural craft involved in making this staircase work harmoniously together.  This photograph represents all of the elements of our manifesto. When coming up with this idea I remembered the beauty in the architecture in Paris, France. I have had the opportunity to go there, and one of the things that impressed me the most about the trip, and there was plenty of beauty and art to see and enjoy. I remember being extraordinarily impressed by a staircase that was in the Petit Palais. It is a magnificent staircase that represents well-composed and aesthetic beauty.