Layers of Meaning

For this research, I choose to analyze the Vietnamese artist Min's song Cà Phê. This upbeat song tells the story of a woman who waits for someone who never arrives. I choose to make an artwork that symbolizes this division because the tune speaks to around three different emotional periods. Her happiness after a first kiss is the first phase; she next experiences longing and confusion over why the man hasn't texted her back; and last, she experiences heartbreak when he never returns. Using Adobe Illustrator and a high precision, laser cutting machine, I began designing the elements to my piece. For the concept, a lot of it was geared towards a visual aspect. I wanted people to recognize all the layers and etchings that this design has to it, making individuals wonder; how does it make them feel? Do they experience a sense of anxiety, joy, or sorrow?