:: :: :: ORIENTAL ::

FIGURES OF ORIENTALISM

CHALLENGE

To deconstruct the dichotomous theorem within Orientalism into a representation. Orientalism is written by Edward W. Said who has moved on in the year 2003.

CONCEPT

Using a figure-ground technique similar to Scott E. Kim's "figure-figure" to convey the multiplicity of feelings, perceptions and thoughts between the ‘Orientalists scholars’ and the “goat”-ify ‘Other ’ raised by the late Edward W. Said.

CONTEXT

This is a computer graphics representation. This piece is named ‘Figures of Orientalism’ and is intended as a tribute to the late Edward W. Said.

The technique involves the figure and ground approach to make the overall composition of the piece inter-related yet separated. At the same time, this conundrum of the ‘Orientalists scholars’ (represented by the white portion side view of Western man with a scholarly-like Confucius’ hairdo not uncommon even within the ‘Oriental’ itself and now Beckham and fans!) and the ‘ “goatify” Other ’ (represented by the black portion side view of the black man with a goat-like horn which is not uncommon within the ‘Orient’.) are made to appear seemingly inter-related but separated. The side-view of both the representations are both confronted again by a frontal-view of a opposing ‘colored’ face yet similar looking homosapien face looking downwards in a ‘thinking mode’.

I leave the rest of the implicit assumptions and my answer to be guessed (conveniently for me because I do not intend to write an essay to bore you down). I hope to voice the weaknesses of this piece, its sexism (in term of its absence) and stereotypical portrayal of ‘racism’ (the use of black and white only). I hope this piece will prompt a few people to give some thoughts to how our ‘train of thoughts’ operates linearly and unquestionably taken for granted for. For few can say they truly live (or live on) if they are not truly free in their consciousness aside from what Edward said (narrative).

“learned to learn, learnt to unlearn!”, said the smiley faces.

See other related designs by me in the spirit of M.C.Escher.

ORIENTALISM

BALLONS, ALPS AND FIREWORKS

TYPOGRAPHY

ESCHER'S BALL

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