Section 2: Interpretation

In this section, I embark on reflective mono- and dialogues, delving into the meaning and significance of my art. By evaluating and proposing specific voices and syntax, I refrain from imposing universal meanings. A critical examination of Barthes' authorship dictum leads me to advocate for a democratic, dialogical approach to art criticism. Beyond Barthes, I explore how intertextuality and artist identity characteristics shape alternative interpretation voices. I also reflect on how skill development, knowledge depth, and personal experiences intertwine with the chronology of my works and co-create my artist identity. Balancing formalistic and innovative writing, I resist rigid instructions, emphasising ambiguity. My writing intention aims to stimulate contemplation while acknowledging potential biases. Engaging with surrealism, I probe the interplay of inner and outer realities and critically contextualise my artwork within these concepts. Experimenting with automatic writing results in stream-of-consciousness texts, later amalgamated with photographs in two artist books. I examine how the elements in these books influence perceivers, recognising the negotiability and contingency of meanings. An additional layer is introduced as I extend invitations to six academics, engaging in a comparative analysis of their interpretations alongside mine. In conclusion, I condense key insights from Section 2. Throughout this section, I encourage readers to shape their unique artist identities by interpreting their artwork through reflective questions.