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How I can visually represent my emotional barriers

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:47 am
by Samstu123
I suffered a heart attack back in 2013, being a student this was extremely devastating and mentally I went through many many struggles, I am still struggling with it.

Being in my third year now studying Graphic Design I am trying to base my project on the emotional barriers that are relative self-destruction

When I get frustrated with my condition, the emotions I am going through at the time I imagine as an object or material to better help me understand what it means. So frustration to me represents a plaster board wall, it looks hard and strong on the foreground, but once you start knocking holes through you soon realise it crumbles around you. Meaning that once I start facing the emotion I can quickly and visually realise what I can do to overcome the barrier?

Anyone else do this? If not I would recommend it, as it helps me visually understand what I can do to work around how I feel on a day to day basis.

I would love to hear what you guys feel about it, what materials do you envisage when you go through an emotion?

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 2:35 pm
by nenkohai2
Interesting, Samstu. I work in clay, though, I don't visualize this during intense emotions.

For me... anxiety is onyx. Matte. Light absorbing.

Panic attacks, however, are as hot and bright as the sun itself.

Depression is a cold stone. Irregular and heavy.

Peace is a body of moving water.

How to assemble that into art, would be a challenge! :) Thank you for sharing the exercise.

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 12:02 pm
by 100footpole
Hi Samtsu123 and Nenkohai2,

I am not a visual or auditory thinker. I think abstractly, so all things are "like" other things, but everything is different.

I appreciate your images, but for me describing the feelings can become an exercise in compare and contrast. Somehow I view anxiety, panic, and depression as different attributes of "Now". So at all times I am surrounded by untouchable, dangerous (hot and cold like dry ice), stone. When I'm not anxious I can get closer to the depression stone, but that makes me anxious again ...

The picture I have is like an astronaut floating in a hellish continuum ...

This is a great exercise on several levels :lol:

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 6:41 pm
by Samstu123
Thanks both for your responses it is nice to know I am not the only one who thinks similar things :D

Interesting to hear what you guys think, for me personally it is an exercise I am starting to learn and use to overcome my emotional barriers as they crop up, and especially it is interesting to do as a visual experiment for my uni project.

Smeller

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:18 pm
by specter
I can tell you that I smell emotions. :shock: I'm weird.

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:21 am
by 100footpole
I went and saw Smell-O-Vision in 1984. The movie Polyester in the theatre was a lot of fun. Drew the same crowd as Rocky Horror.

Re: How I can visually represent my emotional barriers

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:47 pm
by AnneW
Dear Samstu123,
I am sorry to hear about your troubles. Clearly you are a creative, bright and introspective person! I pray you remain in good health and find the inner peace we all deserve!

I believe this post may be one of the most helpful I've read and possibly the best advice I've ever been given. Thank-You so much!!

I intend to employ your technique forthwith with an exuberance only people like us can understand!!!

I will upload an image if I can figure out how to resize them small enough!

Today is my first day here. I am eternally grateful!!!
Best Wishes to you! I would LOVE to see your work!!!!