Courtney Ryan

Peanut Gallery (10 October 2017)

The cheap seats were considered the peanut gallery, so called because it was popular for patrons to throw things like peanuts and shells at the actors if they didn't like what they saw on stage.
Dictionary.com

This project's foundation was research on both the callousness of popular corporate companies and the fast paced culture we immerse ourselves in everyday. Rising from this foundation are symbolic emblems that evoke viewers to question what we as a group of people should allow to be acceptable in our country.

A message to the viewer
31 August 2017

When I first came to Montserrat I was only interested in basic graphic design, however, over the past three years I am more interested in the communication that design relays to the viewer. Rather than just a logo or a menu layout I enjoy works that send a message or feeling. Examples are posters, magazine ads, short films, and album covers. These are things that I personally enjoy viewing. When making art I like a clear task or goal, this was as I explore and create I know when the main idea needs to be changed. To me it is important that the content of a piece is just as important as the concept. Interactions, reactions, feelings, patterns, and information are all things that inspire me.

Currently I am working on the idea of a message, and how the information relayed impacts the viewer. My first idea is to take a series of photos that depict issues in the world, bringing evidence to the audience's face directly so that it is undeniably there. The idea is to shine light on a problem that is often overlooked, grab the viewer by the shoulders and ask, “Will you remain neutral now that you know?”. This is similar to the environmental photo series I made for one of John Colan’s classes, but I wish to push it further. My current work is important to me because I am very interested in "The Message," this something that leads a person to some kind of enlightenment that makes them a more thoughtful soul.

I've learned that my art making seems to be unconventional, as for many critiques my work doesn't always appear to fit in, and that's ok. Different is okay. Personal challenges include keeping a clear and steady course so the main focus, or the message, is not lost in translation. This is an opportunity to stop quitting things when they get difficult or boring. It will help me develop as an artist because it will force me to focus on the start and completion of a project that is actually interesting, and may have a chance of influencing a positive change.

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15 May 2017

When I first came to Montserrat I was only interested in 2D graphic design, however, over the past three years I am more interested in the communication that design relays to the viewer. Specifically: short films, posters, album cover art, and even websites. These are things that I personally enjoy interacting with. When making art I like a clear task or goal, this was as I explore and create I know when the main idea needs to be changed. To me it is important that the content of a piece is just as important as the concept. Interactions, reactions, feelings, patterns, and information are all things that inspire me.

Currently I am working on the idea of choices, and how those choices affect outcomes. It is a web-based project, though I am considering making it print into a booklet as they are similar displays of what I want to do. It is a hypothetical story in which the reader must make decisions to problems that arise, mainly focused on morals and making the reader realize that there are inner conflicts that go on depending on a situation. That things are not simply black and white, but in fact most things lay in the gray area. It is unrelated to my work in the past because it does not state facts or numbers for the viewer to process and come to a realization but it forces them to come to their own conclusion, of what their responsibility is as a human being. I just took Web Authoring 1, and am interested in the easy access to a large audience. My current work is important to me because I am very interested in "The Message," this something that leads a person to some kind of enlightenment that makes them a more thoughtful soul.

I've learned that my art making seems to be unconventional, as for many critiques my work doesn't always appear to fit in, and that's ok. Different is okay. Personal challenges include not losing interest in a project halfway through and giving up because it becomes stale in my mind. This is an opportunity to stop quitting things when they get difficult of boring. The seminar class is required, don't flatter yourself Montserrat. I'm going to use it to work on what I want to work on, not what a teacher tells me to take interest in. It will help me develop as an artist because it will force me to focus on the start and completion of a project that is actually interesting.