REFLECTING:
After reflecting back upon all the efforts put into the creating the mural, I can safely say that I have learned a lot throughout the course of this project. During the investigation phase, I learned a lot about the work that goes into creating a mural, from the different styles of murals that are present all around the world, to the practical aspects of creating it, methods of painting, and the different steps that are taken to transfer your plan onto the wall. Aside from the art skills that I developed, I also learned a lot about extremely famous muralists, such as Diego Rivera, Michelangelo, and Banksy, also analysing specific works by anonymous local artists in Egypt who fought for social reforms. After looking into all of the different styles of murals, I was able to get an insight into the different ways to convey messages through art, with messages that are both more abstract and direct, which was interesting for me to learn.
The global context best suited for my project is personal and cultural expression, which addresses how we express ourselves. According to the IBO, this global context enables us to explore the ways we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs, values; the ways we reflect on, extend, and enjoy our creativity; and our appreciation of the aesthetic (Global Contexts). Personal and culture expression fits directly into my personal project since I’m creating artwork, a mural, to express an idea, also exploring creativity and appreciating aesthetic. My understanding of this concept has grown tremendously throughout the course of my personal project. For example, my appreciation of the aesthetic has developed throughout my research of different artists and their styles during the investigation. When juxtaposing works by different artists, I found a deeper appreciation for all of the different directions that art can be taken. In a specific example related to my project, Keith Haring’s Collingwood mural and David Alfaro Siqueiros’ The Revolution mural are examples of two diverse styles, which have helped me mature my appreciation for creativity and unique aesthetic. This can also be specifically seen when looking at how my project has grown throughout the phases, and how my ideas, such as the meaning behind the piece, and how my designs developed throughout the project. Throughout the process of designing the mural, my understanding of how to express ideas grew, and I was able to create different designs that express the concept in numerous ways. I found a way to express the issue of consumerism, the idea I wanted to show the public. The development of my designs and art skills shows how I was able to develop my creativity and expand my understanding of personal expression through a creative outlet, thus better understanding this global context through personal experiences.
My goal for this personal project was to succeed in creating a mural that expresses a social issue in a populated area in Istanbul. I have succeeded in meeting my goal. My mural is displayed in Kağıthane, in Istanbul. However, aside from the goal, I had four specifications to meet to ensure that the product is successful. The first specification was that the mural’s design and painting must be of high quality. I followed the testing requirements, which can be found in the process journal entry on the 18th of January, and I was able to meet all of them. The second specification stated that the audience must understand what the issue I am trying to express is. For the design, I verbally asked 5 people for their feedback regarding the first and second specifications for the design, and had a meeting with Ms. Zaza. I was successful in meeting the design portion of the task. To fulfil both of those specifications I sent out a survey. According to my results, I was successful in both of my specifications. This is a link to an infographic displaying all of my testing results to back up my success with the specifications: https://infogr.am/testing_results-7.
The final criterion was that the mural should be put up in an area where there are humans present. This was met since it was a major component of my goal. I also obtained legal permission to do so. The mural was put up in Kağıthane.
The global context best suited for my project is personal and cultural expression, which addresses how we express ourselves. According to the IBO, this global context enables us to explore the ways we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs, values; the ways we reflect on, extend, and enjoy our creativity; and our appreciation of the aesthetic (Global Contexts). Personal and culture expression fits directly into my personal project since I’m creating artwork, a mural, to express an idea, also exploring creativity and appreciating aesthetic. My understanding of this concept has grown tremendously throughout the course of my personal project. For example, my appreciation of the aesthetic has developed throughout my research of different artists and their styles during the investigation. When juxtaposing works by different artists, I found a deeper appreciation for all of the different directions that art can be taken. In a specific example related to my project, Keith Haring’s Collingwood mural and David Alfaro Siqueiros’ The Revolution mural are examples of two diverse styles, which have helped me mature my appreciation for creativity and unique aesthetic. This can also be specifically seen when looking at how my project has grown throughout the phases, and how my ideas, such as the meaning behind the piece, and how my designs developed throughout the project. Throughout the process of designing the mural, my understanding of how to express ideas grew, and I was able to create different designs that express the concept in numerous ways. I found a way to express the issue of consumerism, the idea I wanted to show the public. The development of my designs and art skills shows how I was able to develop my creativity and expand my understanding of personal expression through a creative outlet, thus better understanding this global context through personal experiences.
My goal for this personal project was to succeed in creating a mural that expresses a social issue in a populated area in Istanbul. I have succeeded in meeting my goal. My mural is displayed in Kağıthane, in Istanbul. However, aside from the goal, I had four specifications to meet to ensure that the product is successful. The first specification was that the mural’s design and painting must be of high quality. I followed the testing requirements, which can be found in the process journal entry on the 18th of January, and I was able to meet all of them. The second specification stated that the audience must understand what the issue I am trying to express is. For the design, I verbally asked 5 people for their feedback regarding the first and second specifications for the design, and had a meeting with Ms. Zaza. I was successful in meeting the design portion of the task. To fulfil both of those specifications I sent out a survey. According to my results, I was successful in both of my specifications. This is a link to an infographic displaying all of my testing results to back up my success with the specifications: https://infogr.am/testing_results-7.
The final criterion was that the mural should be put up in an area where there are humans present. This was met since it was a major component of my goal. I also obtained legal permission to do so. The mural was put up in Kağıthane.
Although I met all of my specifications successfully, I still think that I can improve. The composition of the piece is my area of most concern, since it was not exactly the same as the design that I decided to use. The conveyor belt looks different, and the positions of the belts were not the same. I also think that there is too much saliva in the middle, and that the T.Vs are not as clear as I aimed for them to be. In terms of planning, I think that I was able to handle the snow-days and vacation very well, although I got into many scheduling issues because of this. See process detailed plan, days titled "SNOW", and entry 8.
Aside from all of the knowledge that I gained from developing my understanding of my global context, I also grew as an IB learner throughout this process. I have definitely grown throughout the many branches of the Approaches to Learning Skills, but I have specifically improved the communication (entry 4-7), social, self-management (entry 5), research (investigation and entry 1), and thinking skills (entry 1, 6, and 10). First of all, my communication skills have improved significantly throughout this project. Aside from the improvement of the conventional verbal and linguistic form of communication, which I was able to do through meetings with my supervisor and peers for feedback, I was able to use modes of non-verbal communication (IBO). I developed my ability to communicate with visual art as a medium, and tried to connect to my audience in a more creative mode, communicating through art with a meaning. I also communicated with members of the Kağıthane community who I would have regularly never talked to, practicing my Turkish, a language that I am not fluent in. I was also able to properly communicate with government officials and police, in order to sort out the legal issues faced during the initial stages. I interacted with different nationalities and developed my ability to talk to people without a common language. Socially, I improved my collaboration skills by stepping out of my comfort zone and allowing others to help with my mural (entry 6). I was able to take on a leadership role, telling them what I want to do with the piece and what they could do to help, but I was also able to receive their feedback (7-8), linking back to communication. I was able to work with a group of people with varying art skills, and managed to work collaboratively and fairly, see slide show. Aside from all of the issues with the weather and other circumstances, this project helped me improve my self-management skills. I was able to plan through my planning phase carefully, and set realistic goals, although I was also able to readjust my plans and manage my time when other circumstances got in the way. I was also organised with all of the painting supplies, and kept everything in place.
My reflection skills definitely grew with the aid of the process journal, and I learned how to critically look at my art and point at the different elements that were successful or not. I reflected upon efficiency, and after identifying what did not go too well, I was able to formulate conclusions to improve the next time I went painting My research and information literacy skills grew throughout the project, especially during investigation. This skill did significantly develop especially after having to work with many sources, such as field-trips to museums and interviews with artists, which were not as straightforward as written resources. I developed many thinking skills, however, my creative thinking skills were strongly affected. I was able to find a creative outlet for an issue that is significant in the world today. I used a different media to try and send a message to my audience, and was able to create a mural with deeper message than what would initially meet the eye. My critical thinking skills also developed through my ability to recognise problems throughout Taking Action (entry 6 and 7), and how I grew to propose a variety of solutions. For example, when it began to rain, I suggested building a canopy by using a large nylon plastic sheet that we had, and support it with the metal bars at the top of the wall.
In conclusion, the experience gained from creating the mural truly added to me as a person, and as an artist. I was able to take on a project that was my own, and developed many skills throughout the course of the year. I interacted with members of the community I would have regularly never spoken to, I met interesting people, and even got a legitimate offer to paint a private owned wall at a park. I think that this project can be sustainable by keeping up with the wall and painting the rest of it, since I have legal permission to pain another 10 or so meters, and I will also be taking an active part at the IICS mural club next year to promote murals and expression to IICS students.
Aside from all of the knowledge that I gained from developing my understanding of my global context, I also grew as an IB learner throughout this process. I have definitely grown throughout the many branches of the Approaches to Learning Skills, but I have specifically improved the communication (entry 4-7), social, self-management (entry 5), research (investigation and entry 1), and thinking skills (entry 1, 6, and 10). First of all, my communication skills have improved significantly throughout this project. Aside from the improvement of the conventional verbal and linguistic form of communication, which I was able to do through meetings with my supervisor and peers for feedback, I was able to use modes of non-verbal communication (IBO). I developed my ability to communicate with visual art as a medium, and tried to connect to my audience in a more creative mode, communicating through art with a meaning. I also communicated with members of the Kağıthane community who I would have regularly never talked to, practicing my Turkish, a language that I am not fluent in. I was also able to properly communicate with government officials and police, in order to sort out the legal issues faced during the initial stages. I interacted with different nationalities and developed my ability to talk to people without a common language. Socially, I improved my collaboration skills by stepping out of my comfort zone and allowing others to help with my mural (entry 6). I was able to take on a leadership role, telling them what I want to do with the piece and what they could do to help, but I was also able to receive their feedback (7-8), linking back to communication. I was able to work with a group of people with varying art skills, and managed to work collaboratively and fairly, see slide show. Aside from all of the issues with the weather and other circumstances, this project helped me improve my self-management skills. I was able to plan through my planning phase carefully, and set realistic goals, although I was also able to readjust my plans and manage my time when other circumstances got in the way. I was also organised with all of the painting supplies, and kept everything in place.
My reflection skills definitely grew with the aid of the process journal, and I learned how to critically look at my art and point at the different elements that were successful or not. I reflected upon efficiency, and after identifying what did not go too well, I was able to formulate conclusions to improve the next time I went painting My research and information literacy skills grew throughout the project, especially during investigation. This skill did significantly develop especially after having to work with many sources, such as field-trips to museums and interviews with artists, which were not as straightforward as written resources. I developed many thinking skills, however, my creative thinking skills were strongly affected. I was able to find a creative outlet for an issue that is significant in the world today. I used a different media to try and send a message to my audience, and was able to create a mural with deeper message than what would initially meet the eye. My critical thinking skills also developed through my ability to recognise problems throughout Taking Action (entry 6 and 7), and how I grew to propose a variety of solutions. For example, when it began to rain, I suggested building a canopy by using a large nylon plastic sheet that we had, and support it with the metal bars at the top of the wall.
In conclusion, the experience gained from creating the mural truly added to me as a person, and as an artist. I was able to take on a project that was my own, and developed many skills throughout the course of the year. I interacted with members of the community I would have regularly never spoken to, I met interesting people, and even got a legitimate offer to paint a private owned wall at a park. I think that this project can be sustainable by keeping up with the wall and painting the rest of it, since I have legal permission to pain another 10 or so meters, and I will also be taking an active part at the IICS mural club next year to promote murals and expression to IICS students.