Jason Loftis  //  Self Portrait
Project ToolsProject Info
Project:  Self-Portrait
Client:  Jason Loftis (Myself)
Purpose:  An assignment for a Theology & Visual Arts course.
 
I undertook this project as part of an assignment for a theology and art course I took as part of my graduate program at Fuller Theological Seminary.  Barry Taylor was the professor.  He is quite a bit more inventive than the average teacher.  Since we studied several fine artists spanning art's history, it was common to discuss identity and self-awareness as it relates to one's art and ultimately one's worldview (theology).  Thus, it seemed appropriate that each student grapple with the task of creating a self-portrait.  I tried to be as honest as possible in designing my entry.  I'll leave its interpretation up to the viewer. 

I took numerous photographs of airport terminals, subways, and train stations and overlayed them in Photoshop.  I was amazed that so many shared a similar perspective.  The people mover was a separate addition.  My wife took several photographs of me both fully clothed and stripped down to my boxers (with a homemade coroner's toe tag on my right big toe).  I wanted the nakedness to portray death.  To get the look I wanted, we hung a blue plastic table cloth in the front doorway of our apartment.  It happened to be getting dusk when we got around to this project, and that worked out for the best.  The lighting that came through the blue table cloth was perfect; it gave me the cold look I wanted.