Project Astoria: Dystopian Photos by Todd Baxter

(Strange, Gorgeous Photos Imagine a Sci-Fi Future Straight Out of Wes Anderson)

Theme: Ecology

Media and Materials:

Drawing, painting, digital illustration, photography, collage

Key Words and Ideas:

Ecology, collaboration

Theme:

How is our understanding of the natural world deeply cultural? This thematic lesson features an artist who addresses the submission of wilderness by civilization, the foundations of scientific knowledge, the impact of technology on biology and society, and mankind’s relationship to the earth, forged by working the land.

Biography:

With Project Astoria, Baxter wanted to play with that childlike hopefulness – that anticipation of humans finally mastering our existence and our technology. Especially as we were reaching such new and magical realities as landing on the moon, the late 60s was the perfect period, in his mind, to add in this alternate history where we all get together and say, “Hey! We could go colonize this other Earth-like place and really do it right this time. It could be perfect. Utopia!” Of course, it doesn’t go perfectly, which is good. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make for a very fun story.

Project Astoria, in a nutshell, is the story of that colonization effort, with a particular focus on the kids who grow up in the Astoria System and are coming of age just as the whole thing is really falling apart.

Discussion

Before Viewing:

Research and discuss the term “ecology.” How does the term apply to the manmade environment as well as to the natural world? How does it relate to issues that are currently in the news?

How do ideas about the human relationship to nature vary across world cultures? Across historical time periods? What are some of the ways these ideas have been expressed in visual, musical, or literary form?

What are the most pressing environmental issues that society faces today? What role can artists play in addressing these issues?

Process:

For those interested in what the process for making these photos looks like, here’s a quick overview: First, Baxter pulled from the ideas he’s previously sketched out for images. He then browsed his photo library for environment elements he’s shot and, in Photoshop, Baxter begin weaving together environments. The artist then planned the general composition and action of talent via rough sketches on top of the loosely composited environments. He then bought or made set items for the talent. Baxter planned for on-set lighting quality (tone and color) and weather simulation, such as wind and rain, for the shoot based on environment sketches. He then select images of talent from the photo shoots, usually trying a few different combinations until it starts to feel right. Baxter continued compositing/retouching, and continued shooting small elements to add to the composites. Finally, as he’s nearing the end of the post-production, made printed proofs, and then he finished retouching the composites and add various final effects using the proofs as a guide.

After Viewing:

How does each artist in this hour explore human relationships to the environment? What are some of the different ways they describe or create environments?

How is an artist’s process a kind of ecology? Describe the “artistic ecology” specific to each of the artists featured in this hour. How does each artist interact with their assistants or collaborators? What environments do they operate within? Who is their audience and what impact does their work have on society?

Activity

Assignment:

Students are to be inspired by Todd Baxter’s twisted and sublime photography. Do not ignore this! The image(s) are to relate to modern day fairy tales, packed with mystery and adventure (be influenced by Wes Anderson – Moonrise Kingdom for example).

The idea is very linear. Students’ artworks should follow the idea of the adventures and misfortunes of two fictional kids, a boy and girl. The narrative series explores what happens when the kids become lost in the woods and experience a chain of worst case scenarios. Students will use bold colors to create an active composition that creates a cinematic feel that draws the viewer into a /each scene. Students should reflect on main events in their lives in which they focus on saying goodbye, letting go, and moving on. Remember this is not the end, but only the beginning of the next phase.

Vocabulary:

· Ecology: The relationship between organisms and their environment, ecology is also concerned with the relationship between people and nature.

· Collaboration: A working arrangement between an artist and another person, group, or institution. Artists often work in collaboration with a variety of specialists, assistants, colleagues, and audiences.