In my proposal for Project 3, my intention was to reimagine the content of Project 1, focusing on the similarities between the Black Panther Party and the Black Lives Matter movement. For a new medium, I presented a series of three collages, being able to tell a story of the reflection between the two parties. My project aims to emphasize the parallels between these two influential movements in a visually captivating way. As the proposal unfolds, it portrays a strong desire to illuminate the commonalities shared by these historical forces in an aesthetic manner. While preparing and creating my creative remix, the importance of rhetoric came to light, as it helped shape my work’s effectiveness and influence. Understanding the rhetorical setting, including the audience, purpose, genre, and medium, is necessary for crafting an artwork that is able to resonate with viewers and successfully communicate my intended message.
The mode and medium that I selected for this project are essential in enhancing the audience’s level of engagement and comprehension. By recognizing the diverse preferences of different observers, for many methods of interpretation, I purposefully chose to use a multimodal approach. This choice involves using entertaining communication techniques, such as photographed and documented images to appeal to a wide range of viewers. This engages the crowd, as it adjusts to an easy but festive understanding setting. Adding on, the planned selection of the collage as the principal medium amplifies the depth of the visual storytelling. A collage allows the blending of various illustrations for an absorbing experience. By combining different types of media, I aim to create a story that really connects with people and helps them open their eyes to the reflection of the Black Panther Party in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Remediating my previous project into a multimedia format offers unique opportunities that enhance the overall impact of my piece. Through the integration of multimedia elements, I was able to create a more dynamic narrative, stimulating multiple senses and encouraging active participation from the audience. For instance, incorporating photographs from during both the Black Panther Party and Black Lives Matter eras, provoked thoughts and facilitated deeper connections with the subject matter. I carefully made sure the pictures that I used had similar stances, poses, and props to reflect in the collages representing the parties. This included the “fist”, posters at protests, megaphones, newspapers, podiums, and more. I found it amusing how closely related the images were and how the BPP movement was integrated into the BLM movement. With the second collage, I was able to demonstrate a portal going from the past to the present while also adding a mirror reflection. To dictate past from present, the BPP pictures were all black and white, while the BLM documents were in color. Also, the top of the portal barely has any saturation while the end of it reveals more. Furthermore, the multimodal nature of the project allows me to exhibit complex ideas and themes in a more accessible and intriguing manner, going beyond the restrictions of traditional text-only formats.
Nevertheless, this shift to a multimedia format also presents certain constraints and challenges. I took a lot of time to learn how to use the platform Canva and get the gist of it. I struggled to find proper formatting and positioning of the pictures and text correctly. Although I had never used Canva previous to this project, I saw ads on it, as well as seeing other people’s work. There was time involved in understanding that not all document outlines can be used for collages and that there were specific buttons to simply move the text boxes around. Additionally, since my project demonstrated a mirroring between the two time periods, I was dedicated to capturing pictures that were almost identical from both parties. I discovered more and more photographs that were almost split images, to incorporate into my collage story. Finding old pictures that truly encapsulated my theme was hard, due to the fact that they did not document events like they do today. In our present day, there are phones everywhere, always recording what goes on around us. However, it was less common to occupy this media back then. To utilize different media smoothly, you need to pay close attention to details and have technical skills, which I was able to accomplish. Despite facing these challenges, such as digital restrictions, the advantages of multimedia far exceed the drawbacks. In fact, multimedia opened up opportunities for me to express my creativity in diverse ways.
Considering sharing this visual essay in a public place outside of the classroom, I am aware there are things to consider for the readiness for public view. Though I’ve worked hard on my project, receiving feedback from my peers, it is possible I may still need to make more revisions in order to improve its clarity, coherence, and visual appeal. Before publishing or sharing the piece with a wider audience, I would need to frame each of the three collages so they could not be directly harmed by any inconvenience in the public. Furthermore, I would center this work of art on a wall in Greenwich Village, New York, because this is where they held the “Free Huey!” campaign protest in 1970. I would hang them going down in a diagonal line starting from left to right. This would enhance my project with movement. In order to make it ready for the public eye, I would print it on larger poster paper in order for the viewers to see it from afar. It’s important to get someone’s attention, and I would not be able to do that on small printer paper. Currently, we have technological advantages over the past, where I can make use of our advanced technology. I also envision sharing the project on online platforms such as social media, blogs, or even websites. These will offer a long-distance reach and high potential for people’s engagement, allowing me to grow the visibility and outcome of my work. Yet, I must also make sure that the project respects the integrity of the individuals and communities involved. Additionally, seeking input from experts in the field of multimedia storytelling could provide valuable insight and perspective to push the project further.
In essence, reimagining my first project into a multimedia format involves careful consideration of the rhetorical situation, thoughtful selection of mode and medium, and strategic organizing for publication. Through this reflecting process, I have grasped a greater appreciation for the evolutionary force of multimedia storytelling in conveying strong ideas and Encouraging meaningful conversations. By sharing this work with a lot more people, I hope to contribute to ongoing talk about social justice and activism while inspiring others to make a change.