Defamiliarization Takes the Road

Andy Saunders takes a different road when thinking about the defamiliarization technique.  Check out what he did to his Citroen 2C7 here and below.


Andy Saunders' "Picasso's Citroen"
(photo from http://autos.ca.msn.com/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=27676061&page=9)

 Though this piece of art does not look very drivable, it is actually legally allowed to be driven on the road, and can get up to 65 mph, making this piece not only an excellent example of defamiliarization, but something the Picasso-inspired artist can use after completion, other than to admire.

The creative alterations to the Citroen 2CV make the art piece look like a car at first glance, but when the audience extends their viewing period, they start to notice features of the car to not be normal; such is what makes this piece a great result defamiliarization.

Assuming that this was a regular car that at first glance looked sort of weird was exactly what I did when I first laid eyes on the image of the car.  However, the more I viewed the image, I began to notice why it looked to odd in the first place - two headlights on the same side of the body, an extension in the backseat, a lopsided grille.  The more you look at the car, the more changes you spot and the more you appreciate an artist who can take something so familiar it's taken for granted, and defamiliarize it to make it a masterpiece.

Ophiuchus

Astrology's got a new sign!  No doubt you've all probably heard about this, since it's caused a major outbreak of rage and identity loss.

Ophiuchus, also called Serpentarius, was introduced as the thirteenth zodiac sign, making those born in the end of November to early December followers of the new sign that astrologers say was caused by changes in earth's alignment.  Many of the dates depicting the seperation of signs have changed, so you may be the previous sign to what you used to be. Check this out for more information.

Now, according to the new astrological order, I am no longer a fierce Aries, but a calm Pisces.

Though I do not plan my days according to what my horoscope tells me, I still feel an affiliation to my warring Ram buddies.  The thought of all of a sudden becoming someone else made me question my identity and what made me, me.  What described an Aries described me as well - there's no way that I could be a Pieces.  When I first heard about this new addition to the so-called "Zodiac family," I was shocked that astrologers could miss such an important thing, and horrified that I may not actually be an Aries.  Being an Aries was like a part of me, a part of my identity, even though I was not one of those people who wouldn't go out on days their horoscope said not to.

Imagine what a relief it was to discover that our western astorology has not changed in the slightest.