What it Means to be (hu)Man on Behance

What it Means to be (hu)Man

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The pieces symbolize a practice or an experience that a parent would teach their child to help them take on the world in which we live. Each lesson links together forming an evolving larger shape to show the leveling up of a student. Some are basic while others might take a lifetime to master or understand. Because my father passed at an early age I was left to fill in the gaps on my own leaving a longing for a mentor. I was overwhelmed with emotions, but confined to a world where Men are only encouraged to express anger or alpha confidence. On my own I would turn to music lyrics to see how to express my full range of emotions. The series in part gets it’s name from Led Zeppelin’s Good Times Bad Times “In the days of my youth I was told what it means to be a Man. Now I've reached that age I've tried to do all those things the best I can.” One can learn only so much on their own on an academic level. (by reading or being told) At some point the lessons need to go beyond theoretical and go into practical practice. From this stand point a lesson is more powerful when shown and experienced. The results can then be shared and talked about with the teacher. I can look back upon my life experiences and recognize the lessons my Father could have passed down to me. This would help me feel a little more connected to him. Now I am actively searching for more of those connections, more of these lessons, to try and form more of relationship with my Father. This series dives head first into that search using the Cub Scout badge system as visual inspiration. The Cub Scouts also signifies the closest military structure I would experience outside of my home. This was an age of compliance and strong belief in the systems around me, which did not last long. One of the few stories my Family boasted about was the fact that my Dad was an Eagle Scout, a distinction worthy of praise. My experiences with the Scouts was not one of love, but more of shame and belittlement, hence my low level of achievement. This series is a reforging of that power, a reimagining of those symbols to rebuild confidence and love within myself. It is literally putting the pieces/lessons together to form a fully balanced, emotionally stable, man. One my Father would be proud of.