Author: Akinkunmi Peter-Koyi

Interstellar Message – Akinkunmi

I think that the most paradox of our existence is our inherent insistence on the importance of our lives and experiences despite their lack of meaning on a cosmic scale. I want my drawing to show off how that belief looks compared to the wider universe, small and unimportant. I think in my drawing I want to represent this using very large elements to juxtapose a relatively smaller portion of the collage that shows off elements of the human experience.

Self Portrait Research- Creation of Adam

The painting is meant to represent the creation of Adam by God in the bible. The painting depicts two men, one lounging with his arm outstretched, the other reaching out to touch hands. He has them mirroring each others poses in order to represent our innate property as being a reflection of him. The two also reach out to touch one another to symbolize our potential for a connection to the divine. And while God’s hand is fully outstretched, it is Adam that must make the final movement to make that connection. The painting has religious overtones, and seems to imply that as humans, it is up to us to reach out to god to become closer to him. When I remake this painting I wish to focus on adam, and have him clench his fist instead of reaching out to mirror the biblical event where he betrays god my consuming the apple. This will further explore the idea that humans are capable of accepting or rejecting god. I want to utilize a classic religious pattern of having a lines in the shape of a halo around the head that supports the idea of mankind’s innate divinity.

technology Current Event

I have chosen to depict the growing digital addiction surrounding TikTok and AI usage and its potential impact on cognitive development. This artwork will feature everyday users—young and old—lost in the endless scroll of digital feeds, symbolizing how modern technology captivates their attention. A central character, representing an archetypal user, appears physically present but mentally distant, absorbed by a vivid, glowing screen. In the background, a symbol representing TikTok and AI’s relentless allure, its many eyes reflecting the hypnotic patterns of viral trends. There will also be a focus on the brain, which will be leaving the body- to show how these programs can affect our minds.

This representation is meant to show the dangers of technology, presenting the effects it has on the mind. The emotions conveyed are tension, distraction, and a faint melancholy—a portrayal of intellectual fatigue and diminishing focus. This is achieved through the use of fragmented linework, and contrasting digital light against the human face. Ultimately, the piece invites viewers to reflect on how constant connectivity might be gradually undermining our cognitive functions

APK- Geometric Radiolarians

From the film I was able to learn about how radiolarians are surprisingly intricate and tiny organisms that have intricate and unique skeletons that are made up of silica. Their underlying symmetry is mesmerizing due to its complexity and small scale. It proves that nature is beautiful and intentional even to the most minute detail. Haeckel’s work on radiolarians was so interesting because there was never only a focus on their scientific significance. He also understood them for their significance artistically. Throughout his studies, he continued to engage with their nature as cells but also as works of art from the natural world. I think this film showed me how art and science can be irreparably intertwined with one another. Without artistic skill, studying the geometric patterns of the radiolarians would have been a nightmare, and using helped to enhance the scientific understanding of the cells. While they are separate pursuits they can still collaborate in a way that enhances both. I think it was interesting how Haeckel’s environment shaped his understanding of science. Despite his understanding of phylogeny, he still fell to the same trapping of racial sciences as many of his peers. Despite their relevance today, many of his theories are products of their time.

I found it really cool how the film used those sequences of images to help us understand just how diverse the radiolarians are. By the end of the film I found myself realizing that I had almost never seen the same one twice. It really drove home the point that the forms these cells could take is practically inexhaustible.

Ratatouille-ception

Ratatouille is the story of remy, a rat with a dream of becoming a chef. He lives in Paris and is highly skilled at cooking. Remy ends up in the kitchen of a famous restaurant, Gusteau’s, where he forms an meets Linguini, who works as a garbage boy but wants to be a chef.

Remy secretly helps Linguini improve his cooking by hiding under his chef’s hat and guiding him with his expertise. As the two work together, they gain attention, but their success is threatened by the other chefs. Eventually, Remy’s cooking skills are revealed, and he is accepted despite being a rat. The film ends with Remy achieving his dream of becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant.

One of the key points in the story is the moment when Remy is revealed to the other chefs from beneath linguini’s hat. I want to do a twist on this idea by making another revelation, that Remy was also being controlled by a small human underneath his hat. This twist one of the most surprising moments in the movie by adding another layer of depth to the reveal.

In my version, Remy was also a struggling rat who wanted to learn how to cook, and was able to get help from this small person. I think it offers an ironic mirror of Remy and Linguini’s situations, where they were more different before.