The subject of my diploma thesis is self-portraits, and its countless aspects. The goal was to find out what role, if any, does the artistry of self-portraits have in the art world of today, as well as exploring what kind of techniques contemporary self - portrait artists employ in their art along what message they try to convey with their art.
Conceptually this paper will be divided into two parts. The first being the research focused on defining the terminology and diction that are important for the further understanding of self - portraiture as well its development through time, the latter which is dissected in deeper detail in the second part of the paper. Understanding the particulars of the artistry of self - portraits will serve as foundation for continuing the research of contemporary self-portraiture and what worth and purpose it has now in comparison to the past, while still keeping a focus on fine arts in its broader terms.
The second part of the paper, but main theoretical drive, is on the different manifestations of the contemporary self - portrait. Exploring what they are now while drawing connections to their roots and development from within the fine arts, both in its evolution and market. Another branch of examination will be on comparing these ideas with the development of the everyday life, technology, and the needs of modern day people and seeing how (and if) self - portraits have place among them.
For the part of utilizing my own art I focused on learning about and utilizing stylization and its effect in the expressive nature of the self - portrait. This was done in order to figure out in what ways it is possible to express and describe oneself as a person, and an artist, through self - portraiture.
In the practical part of the paper I wrote about my experiences when I organized a workshop in collaboration with young artists. In the workshop the group explored the contemporary self - portrait. This included what connection and presence it has in modern everyday life as well as what significance the enhanced self - portrait, that is the web profile, for young artists today.
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