The Game of Life idea came to me while learning how to play chess from my brother. My mind instantly related the chess game to life. The mood board started out focusing on how big the universe is and how easily people get distracted. Next photos from magazines were incorporated. Finally together came this idea of how people focus on various unique topics while trying to figure out how they want to live their lives.
Monochromatic outfits that represent the age gaps and traits associated with them were chosen for the first set of photos. The youngest generation wearing white represented the idea of purity, innocence, and openness. The middle generation was dressed in light pink to represent motherhood and warmth. For the oldest generation, brown showed stability and protection. Each of the three figures wore matching tops and bottom sets to give the idea of connection through generations. The set of images with the fur coats was meant to represent sentimental things and further link the generations together. As were the differences in shiny sequined tops, which were chosen to assist in depicting the age gap of the generations.
My sketchbook is the place I go to work through my initial ideas, especially when it comes to this Game of Life project. The direction became clearer as I continued to add more concepts to further my exploration of ideas. An important part of any atmosphere lighting and my inspiration came from the Chiaroscuro movement, a Joseph Wright of Derby painting. One center light in the middle of a table, while others gathered around was the way to go on this project, especially since the light was an antique fixture that once was in my great-grandparents’ house, adding a 4th generation to the project.
These three shots of my Bubbie (grandma), Mom, and Myself playing cards and gambling with our personal belongings represent how life is risky: you may win some and lose some.
I chose the first picture because my bubbie is solely focused on her cards, my mom is looking at her cards but is distracted, and I am watching them and learning from their mistakes and successes. The point is how generations can evolve by learning from the ones before them.
The second picture is of the youngest generation with cards tucked into the skirt while my mom's reaction is shocked by how the youngest plays the game. The picture represents how the younger generation can be reckless and cheat the system, which Mom frowns upon. The oldest generation is in the back of the shot being conspicuous of the situation playing out in front of her.
For the final picture, the youngest generation is looking at the camera shushing them since they know I cheated, while my mom and Bubbie are focused on each other, both lit from one side representing them being distracted.