Petals of Armor

PETALS

OF ARMOR

LEON DC Daniel Mendoza

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A

PREFACE 4-5 LAMENTATION SIDE A 6-13 RESTRAINT SIDE A 14-23 THE GENTRIFIED 24-33

2

36-43

RESTRAINT SIDE B 44-51 BREAKING POINT 52-57 CAPTIVITY 58-69 LAMENTATION SIDE B 70-71 CITED ENTRY

B 3

Preface

By Daniel Mendoza

Petals of Armor is a series exploring mellow and political topics while executing in a high fashion, editorial manner. This book will explore topics such as loss in motherhood, isolation, gentrification, restraintment, and workaholism.

This is a series which takes pride in allowing oneself to find individuality, focusing on individuals who are most vulnerable, and a poetic theme of loss and grief.

With that being said, this is Petals of Armor.

During this new artistic stage, I felt determined to explore a new style, reinvent my image not only as a photographer but as a creative director. Through this new perspective, I began to photograph more intently, allowing myself to photograph what I want to showcase, how I want to be perceived as an artist, and finally allowing myself to tap into more political topics. The concepts that are portrayed in this book are solely managed on my own; Because of this, some moments during production were financially stressful, and led to creative stumps; Although in the end I knew how to get through all of these barriers.

Music has been a source that inspired me and pushed me through tough times throughout this series; More specifically I found artists such as, Florence + The Machine, Halsey, Ethel Cain, Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode, to be inspirational for the imagery I wanted to showcase. Because music has been a major part in my creative process, I wanted to compile a soundtrack for this series; An album consisting of songs that coincides with each narrative, theme and chapter. (Qr code to soundtrack is found on Page 70) This book is separated into two sections: Side A and Side B. Each side allows readers to explore different thematics and follows narratives with deeper context behind it.

Leon DC Petals of Armor 2023 4

5

LAMENTATION SIDE A

Lamentation Side A follows a mother and son’s relationship being separated from one another; While their codependency for one another becomes harder to let loose.

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Caught between custody, eluding him into suffering.

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In her own time, she will soon shift into new life; But right now she lies alone.

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side A side A side A side A side A side A side A

side A side A side A side A side A side A side A

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Restraint

side A side A side A side A side A side A

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Restraint side A is a series surrounding non-Denominational communities. Moreover, this chapter covers the hypocrisy that lingers within the community. Many (but not all) non-Denominational environments base their values on misogynistic and conservative ideals. This goes against their foundational belief to treat others with respect and love. These issues in the church are brushed under the rug but those who are not non-Denominational can visibly see these problems. This series follows a narrative of an individual based in this community.

She struggles with dealing with harassment and being silenced. She feels a constant religious restraint, wanting to remove herself from her community but still desiring to keep her faith and religious practices.

Her faith is tainted from the hypocritical and harmful way her community treats her and wishes for a way out to heal.

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DON’T MISTAKE THE WAYS OF YOUR MANIPULATION FOR CONDEMNATION 19

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I don’t want to start any blasphemous rumors But I think that God has a sick sense of humour And when I die I expect to find him laughing -Depeche Mode, Blasphemous Rumours 22

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THE GENTRIFIED

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DISPLACEMENT X COMMUNALITY

By Daniel Mendoza

Gentrification is a process of elevating the quality of life in a city by providing new developments, job opportunities, and attracting younger target audiences with modernization. Gentrification is a term commonly associated with East Austin. Demographically, East Austin is mostly populated by Mexican-American and African-American residents. Their history, culture and connection take root in the area; Although in recent years, many local residents (specifically those with lower income) have been taken into effect by gentrification; While the process of gentrification is intended to bring more prosperity, instead it has taken away East Austin’s sense of community and history.

Gentrification has been displacing communities with many white higher income residents moving into these neighborhoods; Because of this, many established residents feel priced out and affected financially due to higher property taxes in the area. Even with the negative effects that gentrification has brought forth, many lower income individuals still push to remain in East Austin. This is so, because they have a strong connection to their neighborhood, with many families growing up in the area for decades; Although unfortunately due to the rise in property taxes, many lower income families have had to relocate outside of Austin.

The negative impact caused by gentrification is inevitable, although there are some actions one can take to make vulnerable demographics not feel as displaced. This can be done by first being aware of your actions and stance from moving into an area where existing residents may be affected negatively. Lastly, it is important to be open and involved with your community despite differences to further create relationships, become more aware of how gentrification affects others and to rebuild hope for communality.

This chapter is separated into two volumes. Volume one visualizes the displacement caused by gentrification, while volume two expresses the way gentrification can be less negatively impacting existing residents with building meaningful connections and relationships.

Furthermore, many (but not all) higher income earners feel disinterested in building relationships with surrounding neighbors. This has caused a loss in communality, discrimination and creates displacement between existing residents and newcomers.

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Vol I

DISPLACEMENT

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27

28

PLASTERING YOUR TERRAIN OVER ME 29

Vol II

COMMUNALITY

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33

PETALS OF A RMOR

34

Side B

THE PATH TO INDIVIDUALITY 35

36

RE ST RA IN T Side B

Restraint side B is a continuation of Side A. After rejecting her community, she then struggles with the pain she carries. Feelings of frustration simmer; Although, she doesn’t let these emotions get to her.

Instead she strives to search for individual spirituality; Finding a way to reconnect with her faith without relying on her past community.

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Barricaded all alone where they can’t harass her no more. Her faith is tainted due to all the spite and hypocrisy that lies within the community she once believed in.

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- Cold Cave, Underworld USA 40

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Through disassociation of her past, she begins to reconnect with her faith. Her sorrow is laid aside and she now lies in peace.

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Visual representation of a workaholic lifestyle draining an individual’s happiness with redundancy and lack of being present

the

BREAKING POINT 44

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I LOST MY WAY. SPINNING IN AN ENDLESS FIGURE EIGHT.

- Paramore, Figure 8 46

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SHE’S SHIFTING THROUGH REDUNDANCY

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CAPTIVITY

Captivity is a series visualizing the feeling of financial stress and the pressures that creeps from our economy.

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LA ME NT AT IO N

Side B Lamentation Side B is a continuation of Side A. A transitioning from reality to a state of delusion and isolation. she lies alone simmering with her loss in motherhood.

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TREAD AWAY FROM REALITY, CRASHING HER PRIDE AND DIGNITY INTO ISOLATION. 63

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Silver lining, weightless hours, all my flowers. A place to hide the tears that you cried, everybody says goodbye.

-Depeche Mode, Ghost Again 67

`YOU KNOW THAT WE SHALL MEET AGAIN, IF YOUR MEMORY

SERVES

YOU WELL. - Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Wheel’s On Fire

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Petals of Armor Copyright © 2023 by Daniel Mendoza Austin TX, U.S.A. Mendoza.dc.1404@gmail.com https://leondc.com

Petals of Armor Soundtrack:

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CITED ENTRY Depeche Mode. “Blasphemous Rumors.” Some Great Reward, Demilune Ltd, 1984, track 9.

Cold Cave. “Underworld USA.” Cherish The Light Years, Matador Records, 2011, track 5.

Paramore. “Figure 8.” This Is Why, Atlantic Recording Group LLC, 2023, track 7.

Depeche Mode. “Ghost Again.” Memento Mori, Columbia records, 2023, track 3.

Siouxsie and the Banshees. “This Wheel’s On Fire.” Through The Looking Glass, Polydor Ltd, 1987, track 4.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES Tang, Eric. “Those Who Stayed - Working for All of Austin.” Community Not Commodity, 2016, communitynotcommodity.com

MODELS Lamentation Side A - Anna Rogness, Pablo Garcia, Leif Rasmussen Lamentation Side B - Anna Rogness Restraint Side A - Linsey, Kiernan Work, Cj Restraint Side B - Linsey The Gentrified - Neda Rasul, Scarlett Houser Breaking point - Natalia Captivity - Bruno

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LEON DC Daniel Mendoza