Hostages contains two interwoven analyses of the author’s visual investigations. Living Figurative discusses the psychological space in which figurative and literal may become confused, and the way in which figurative threats operate beyond their natural boundaries. The result is a cycle of delusion, blame, and deflection, perpetuated through verbal nonsense, which is then validated through spectacle. Apocalyptic literature and conspiracy theories function through this method. While most of society believes Nobody is to blame for cultural conflict, the extremist uses the force of Not-Me, the ability to make a caricature from oneself and place it on another. Photojournalism uses this same mode to turn its subjects into dignified caricatures. Worse as a Picture contends that the artist can help viewers disarm internalized, figurative threats through exposure to the concept of death. This should be done through gradual, subliminal means, as there is no way to fully comprehend finality.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Recent studies of non-conscious processing have indicated that visually processed non-conscious informationcan be used to influence behaviour after as much as 5000 ms. This study further explores the possibilities of nonconsciousvisual working memory retention. Twelve participants were in this study instructed to memorizemasked faces and then make decisions based on what they believe they saw or guess intuitively. Results indicatethat increased working memory load only affected conscious trials, suggesting non-conscious stimulus remainedunperceived. Since no consciousness effect was observed when measuring response times of congruent trials thisstudy do not support non-conscious working memory retention. / Nya studier av undermedvetet processande har indikerat att visuellt behandlad undermedveten information kananvändas för att påverka beteende efter så mycket som 5000 ms. Denna studie undersöker även möjligheternavad gäller undermedveten inlagring i det visuella arbetsminnet. Tolv deltagare fick i denna studie i uppdrag attmemorera maskade ansikten och sedan fatta beslut utifrån vad de tror att de såg eller gissa intuitivt. Resultatentyder på att ökad belastning av arbetsminnet påverkar endast medvetna försöksomgångarna, vilket tyder på ickemedvetnastimuli förblev osedda. Eftersom ingen medvetandeeffekt observerades vid svarstiderna underkongruenta försök stöder inte denna studien undermedveten lagring av arbetsminnet.

I approach artmaking with a sense of intrigue, portraying the human condition as seen through my own eyes. The results that surface are female forms combined with subliminal subjective symbolism--a fusion of my personal experiences and influences created through a partially subconscious process. I use this artistic process to help me understand myself and I dare my viewers to seek their own answers within the implied narratives I choose to paint.