Maximilian Bolduan
03.jpg

Delusion

Expectation & Build Up.

We meet new people everyday. Bump into them on the street or notice them, while occupied with our daily routine. Most of the time, we get just a glimpse of people that pass us by. Eventually, these strangers will not claim any space in our memories. On the other hand, the people that are near and dear to us will be remembered. The question is will what happen to the ones that occupy in-between space?

 
 

Narrative —

The moment you encounter another person your eyes immediately scan the face and the body in order to determine the sex and the potential level of interest of  the other person. Form here on out we decide if we want to talk to the person by gazing at their faces 90% of the time. Men have more of a tunnel vision ( an ability to spot things at great distances - Hunters), they will portrait all obvious signs of attention while looking at someone, (even more so while doing it secretly). Women, on the other hand, have a wider peripheral vision, which extends to at least 45 degrees to each side, above and below (a distinctive close range awareness/vision - Gatherers). As an crucial example, men are known for „checking out“ someone more often than the opposite sex. However, due to the narrow vision they are just easier to get caught. Meanwhile, women have a clear advantage. While even at your face they are still able to do the same thing.

 

As for this project I wanted to explore and visualize the idea of man‘s psyche in the aftermath of a date and a certain amount of time passing until the next one. The style is based on what a man sees, what he thought he had seen and how he imagines what his date will look like the next time he sees her. As for the visualization, there are 3 elements in each of the 5 steps:

 

Vector / Human Outline

Paint / Broken off parts

Watercolor / Skin/Entry Point

 

The outlines of the images, or rather the parts that a man vividly remembers, are outlined in a very detailed and clear way (Vector graphics). The Paint is only at the edge of each composition. It depicts a pronounced break between his actual memories and gaps, that his subconscious is trying to fill in by adding new elements. The Watercolor represents a starting point of his gaze for each image.  For example, the watercolor texture is wrapping around the out or each which is an entry point for each image for the man‘s psyche and for the pintail viewer as well (eye-catcher). 

 

The five images are structured around the idea that a man is taking notice in a woman. They are caught in a moment when he notices her and she notices him (in that order). Both are strangers to each other and everything happens in seconds. He first determines in a fast glance the general body and sex of the person.

 
 
 

Awareness —

He predetermine his interest. Due to the peripheral vision he becomes aware of the basic outlines of her body. His vision allows to only focus a specific area. That leaves a huge chuck of the body blurry.

 
 
 
 
 

Social Gaze —

The immediate focus lies on her eyes as they become the definitive anchor for his social gaze. She notices him and takes a quick look at him (with one eye). His focus still rests on her eyes, eager to follow his instincts and move in a triangle, formed by eyes and lips.

 
 
 
 
 

Intimate Ganze —

Each time his tunnel vision find a new focus point the composition of his field of vision changes. The new compositions feature blurry edges due to the tunnel. At this point the eyes feel like miles away. The bright delicious red lips and the intuiting question of what might lies beyond becomes his new focus.The millisecond rhythm that retrieves data from his vision and pre-determines  the next move makes the quick shift from the polite social gaze going down a rabbit hole towards the red lips and starting an intimate gaze.

 
 
 
 
 

Downward Spiral —

The triangle is long abandoned. Instead it becomes more of an downward spiral. His ‘eye-gesture’ does not go unnoticed and as the name might suggest the gaze it is not polite. The woman of course feels uncomfortable and avoids/shields his vision. The damage has been done and instead of observing separate pieces he needs to perceive the whole picture. 

 

 
 
 

the Shape of Desire —

The moment has been already over. All that remains is the idea of what could have been. From now on the woman will take many shapes in his memory, but none of them will be a true reconstruction of the original. The mind will create any shape or form, according to its own desire, rather than to recall reality.