Julian Alvarez's Collage

Philosophical Paragraph:

I have always struggled with the things I believe in. I feel that my beliefs and philosophies are based around my feeling and situations at the time. There are things, however, that I have always believed in. For instance, I have always thought that there was some ultimate power or being that was in command of everything. These ideas grew more sophisticated with age, as I to grew older. This was not the only, few, beliefs that I have held for as long as I can remember. Karma, and Aliens are a couple. Another problem that I have had is that I have ideas that contradict each other. For example, free will and fate. I would like to be able to believe in both, but they are opposites. So I could either believe in just one or none at all. I haven’t decided yet.

Artistic Statement:

The main visual idea of the collage is the pictures that are closer to the brain (which symbolizes my thoughts and beliefs) are the ideas that have lasted the longest, and have been the most established. Right behind the brain is an old 90’s painting which is a metaphor for karma, something that I have always believed in. Hence being close to the brain. The chain is connected, from the brain, to a clock. Showing that, in some form or another, time and age is connected to my thoughts/ beliefs. The chain is being bent by a goblin, which is a symbol for feelings. Be it sadness, happiness, or anger. These feelings influence the connection. I feel that eventually, preferably soon, I’m going to have to decide what my time-influenced beliefs are. So, there is a expiration notice on the clock. An embodied Fate (superman) is fighting with Free Will (Batman). I would like to believe in both, but they are opposite so I can’t. On the far left is art for one of the four horseman of the apocalypse, Death. Even though I have not believed in certain religions I have always enjoyed the mythology behind them. Which is why I have him there.