Assignment 2

Overview:
The eleventh house exhibit explores the qualities of horoscopes. Each artist examines the horoscope and gives advice, or some sort of information based on the signs.

Dainesha Nugent-Palache and Meech Boakye examine the sun signs and gives advice to each sign based on the upcoming year. Each horoscope is accompanied by cute zodiac graphics.

Meg Proper explores how one’s love life could be affected by a person’s zodiac. Each piece of advice is framed as a notebook scrawlings with select words censored out.

Walter Scott shares how astrological signs act as an excuse for toxic behaviors; each example is shown in comic-style drawings.

Annieanniewongwong and Emmie Tsumura describe the personality types based on their zodiac animal and lunar year. Each animal shares characteristics with two others; a trio of compatibility.

The eleventh house is an astrology term, also known as the House of Friends. The title of the exhibit hints that all the artists involved in the project are friends or value friendship.

Threads of Overlap:

Each artist examines horoscopes in a slightly different way; some focusing on the benefits and others, the possible negatives. The gallery may provide some comfort for those looking for advice, what to focus on, what to avoid and what to expect. The horoscopes provided are based on the 2021 year – a year that many people may be anxious about and looking for any sort of answers.

The reader is pulled into each article. Even if you don’t believe there’s any truth to astrological signs, you tend to find your sign and see what the horoscope tells you. Each section gives advice to the reader; how can you work on yourself in the new year? How will your zodiac impact relationships, compatibility or personality types?

How do horoscopes shape a person? Is there any truth behind horoscopes? Can you find any overlap in your horoscope and personality?
Only the viewer can answer those questions posed by the gallery.

The gallery is easy to navigate. The information provided by each artist is presented in a simple to read, easy to consume format, often accompanied by drawings by the artists. The advice is a little bit vague in areas, like any horoscope, and could likely be applied to any person. "Banish boredom by remaining mentally stimulated...", "Remain Vigilant of all the growth you're doing over these next months...", "This year -- will most certainly experience challenges..." are just a few nuggets of astrological wisdom the site shares. While the advice might not have any real substance, it's fun to insert yourself into these roles and connect how those words of advice actually relate to your life.

There's a couple charming graphics on each page; one has a comic like style showing each zodiac in a situation relating to their personality types; another page has brightly colored, cartoon like caricatures of each lunar animal.

Overview:
Carys Cuttlefish is a visual artist who primarily makes cute art. Her creatures have big eyes, bright colors and soft edges. She works digitally, traditionally, sculpting, and tattooing.
Carys is based in Edmonton.

Carys Cuttlefish sculpts 'Warry Warts' which are based on worry dolls.
The idea is that a person can tell their worries to the figure, which take on the weight of their worries. They are meant to be sympathetic 'creatures' and that's why their faces look so worried - they're taking on the trouble and worries for you.

Personal Connection:
While I don't have a worry doll myself, I feel that I can insert my worries and problems into artwork as if they were this symbolic type of worry doll.

Caffeine Connection:
If a person is stressed, they can send their worries off to the worry doll. They may also have a cup of coffee or energy drink to be more productive and tackle some of those deadlines that are causing them stress.

The artist maintains this bright, cute aesthetic through her visual work.
The cheery visuals often makes the viewer feel 'fuzzy' inside.

A lot of the artwork is superficial with no deeper meaning than 'it looks nice'.
I believe many artists start out drawing and creating as a positive outlet. Art is used as a way to express yourself and
How can you be upset looking at sparkly, rainbow, crystal dragons?

Personal Connection:
I aspire to have a style unique to myself - I base a lot of my artwork on cute, cheery things. I find creating happy things makes me happier.

Caffeine Connection:
Cute or friendly looking art may make the viewer feel warm and fuzzy inside (if that's their thing). Art can be a comfort.
Your favorite coffee drink can also be a comfort in life.

Pre-Covid times Carys Cuttlefish was primarily a tattoo artist.

I feel like the tattoo medium is often overlooked as an artform.
Tattooing is often used as coping or healing tools. A person can use tattoos to cover scars, memorialize a person or help them love their body.

There is a lot of body positivity in many tattoo communities.

Personal Connection:
In a previous project in this class, I dove into the art of tattooing. I think it's such an interesting medium that I would love to learn sometime in the future. I have previously used tattoos as emotional therapy and believe they can be a positive tool.

Caffeine Connection:
Tattooing can be a healing, positive thing for some (as I mentioned above) It can also be that once-in-awhile treat you let yourself indulge in.
Coffee can also be a treat or indulgence. If you're having a bad day, you might grab that expensive Frappuccino as a treat for yourself.

Thesis: Positivity Through Artwork

Carys Cuttlefish is an artist who focuses on positivity.

I believe a lot of people turn to art as an outlet. Art can be an extremely positive thing when incorporated into one's life. It can relief stress, boost confidence and enhance brain productivity. Some studies even show that art can help increase a person's empathy.

I relate a lot to this process - I began drawing and creating as a way to take my mind off of other problems and feel productive. I think this is a feeling that many people would be able to relate to.

Carys work has positive vibes. When I create art, I always try to inject some positivity into it. Even when I'm not creating outwardly happy-looking things, I think the process of creating is a positive one that relieves stress.

We can also draw lines from creating art to consuming coffee.

Just like art, coffee can be an outlet for stress. It can also be a source of stress - art deadlines, pressure to make good art, anxiety from too much caffeine - but we tend to overlook the negatives to focus on the positives - gratification when you finish art, an energy boost from a cup of coffee.