Social norms are actions, behaviors, or ideals that fit the generalized mold that society holds as normal. Deviance from this mold usually results in the deviant finding his or herself in an unpleasant situation in which they are judged or looked at in an unsettling matter. This stems from the instinctive traits buried deep inside the human genome that cause people to see things that are different negatively or with apprehension.
According to Hackman, J.R (1992), “In psychology, an individual who routinely disobeys group norms runs the risk of turning into the "institutionalized deviant.” This means that the individual now goes against the grain, merely for the interest of being different or the shock factor that is received from society. That results in a group of people who do similar things that diverge from social norms, and therefore create their own form of social norms that society is slowly accepting and appreciating.
From this, the artists intentions were to capture social deviants in the groups that they roam in commonly referred to as hipsters, punks, and rebels. As more and more individuals transform to fit these groups, society accepts them as more and more normal. Therefore, the artist sought to convey these people interacting with sheep who fit society’s true norms.
Photography seemed, naturally, the most obvious choice as it captures the light of a situation in a drawing. Through this media, three people were captured one, an older southern woman with traditional southern dress, a middle-aged woman with mom jeans and a pastel colored polo, and several young girl with “punk” clothes, attempting individuality.
Through this piece, the message that was conveyed was, “Is true individuality possible?” This philosophical question seeks harsh into the human nature and threatens the institution that teenage angst has so carefully existed on for an extended period of time. Out of this comes correct understanding that through trying to be different from the crowd, one only more tightly conforms.
According to Hackman, J.R (1992), “In psychology, an individual who routinely disobeys group norms runs the risk of turning into the "institutionalized deviant.” This means that the individual now goes against the grain, merely for the interest of being different or the shock factor that is received from society. That results in a group of people who do similar things that diverge from social norms, and therefore create their own form of social norms that society is slowly accepting and appreciating.
From this, the artists intentions were to capture social deviants in the groups that they roam in commonly referred to as hipsters, punks, and rebels. As more and more individuals transform to fit these groups, society accepts them as more and more normal. Therefore, the artist sought to convey these people interacting with sheep who fit society’s true norms.
Photography seemed, naturally, the most obvious choice as it captures the light of a situation in a drawing. Through this media, three people were captured one, an older southern woman with traditional southern dress, a middle-aged woman with mom jeans and a pastel colored polo, and several young girl with “punk” clothes, attempting individuality.
Through this piece, the message that was conveyed was, “Is true individuality possible?” This philosophical question seeks harsh into the human nature and threatens the institution that teenage angst has so carefully existed on for an extended period of time. Out of this comes correct understanding that through trying to be different from the crowd, one only more tightly conforms.
RSS Feed