Video Art
3:11
2022
There is something ironic about the way tomatoes are represented in visual and entertainment culture in our society. Tomatoes are thrown at bad performances, yet getting high “Rotten” tomato ratings define what is a well-made movie. Something I feel correlates, and is even more ironic is perfectionism. Perfectionism is so interesting in the way of how just by its name, it should be something positive, hence “perfect” or “perfect-ness”, but it is actually the factor and/or cause that leads to the destruction of self. For me personally, the constant strive to become this “perfect” version or seek the “perfect” result never actually gave me the “perfect” ending that I was looking for.
“Potato Potahto” is a representation of this realization, and guides viewers through a visual sequence of how perfectionism works in the mind, how mentally draining and emptying the process is, to a point where you reach a limit, and feel like your head(or tomato) is about to explode. It is a very loud video, even in the silent parts.
This video installation is composed of entirely found images and videos, all of which encapture the way you would view yourself, the endless thought process going through your head, and the tiring process of trying to complete work the right way.
Perfectionism is so difficult because you are setting yourself on an impossible goal; it’s hard not to become frustrated when the end goal is something you can never achieve.
Concluding this Ted-Talk I also label as my piece description, I’ve come to realize that there is not really a “perfect” way. Personal growth and self-improvement are so important and something I am also working on, but beating yourself down because you weren’t able to achieve the “perfect” result is something I find less necessary. You never know, something completely unexpected, such as a carrot, might be a final touch to give you even better results!
“Tomato Tomahto”