Final Project
1.Composition:
a.Orientation: Each person shot different images from different perspectives.
b.Lighting: The lighting in these images range from natural sunlight, to indoors to the flash on the disposable camera.
c.Visual Design Elements (spot/line, shape/pattern, emphasis/balance): A pattern was created in the presentation of the images thrown throughout the classroom. There is also a repetition in subject matter and in the “party” type photographs.
2.Aboutness & Motivations & Method:
The motivation for this project came from the notion I have that my photos create a tangible reflection of what I see through my minds eye and what occurs in my brain. I handed out disposable cameras to multiple people and prompting them to shoot images that they would normally not consider making an image of. I also let them know not to censor themselves and that any subject matter is acceptable.
The presentation of the images taped about the classroom in a spastic manner refers to the way the cameras were treated after being handed out.
3.Context: A few of the cameras were giving to close friends. They are all somewhat "raw," so its somewhat of a key hole into my life via the eyes of others. I like the idea that when the images are shot they cannot be instantly seen or deleted. This leaves a large aspect of the project up to chance.
4.Interpretation: In an almost anthropological way, I am interested in how others see the world in order to compare it with myself as well as compare the images taken with each other. This project therefore also has a certain voyeuristic aspect to it. I want my viewers to be as intrigued and as interested as I am with the images that those given cameras decided to take. I want to evoke emotions in the viewers as well as urge them to consider what they would have taken photos of. I am hoping that some of the images will be shocking to the viewers, but that depends on how radical the camera holders were willing to get. Some of the images will most likely also have the ability to make the viewers laugh. One of the key points of this project is to project the way multiple people view the world.. I think that this project will create an in depth view into the people that took the images, mass media, popular culture and current trends in society as well as college life and popular activities for people my age as well as what they consider to be important or intriguing enough to take a photograph of.
5.Evaluation: People were confused and shocked by the placement of the images and the content presented. I got the exact reaction I desired. Since they were on the ground people were worried about stepping on them and I enjoyed hearing their response to the more “dark” images.
I also like how they were in people’s way throughout the class. Private images of the people how took the images were brought out into the public in an obtrusive way. We are used to seeing photographs on the computer or a cell phone but there is a much more real quality when the actual print is in front of you and it takes the element of creation and falsity out of it.
6.Extension: I like the idea of giving out cameras and I plan to do a continuation of this in the future. I also would like to ask random people on the street to take images when given a prompt by me and then email the images to me. I will also use a camera or two in the future in order to compare and contrast the way I see the world with the way the people I gave the cameras see it. Also I might make a sort of blog or photo album for these images. I was also thinking about writing my emotional response in whiteout pen on some of the images or making a time capsule but I was more interested in the direst responses of the class.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Blog Prompt #24
Blog Prompt #24
Write a detailed description of your “motivations” for your final self-proposed project. Why are you interested in this subject? What do you want to convey? How do you want viewers to respond? Why are you inspired to make these images/this project? Do you want to evoke emotions in viewers? Shock viewers? Make them laugh? Make them think? Inform them? Reveal something about how you see the world? Reveal something about yourself, a person, a place, a feeling, a memory, a moment in time?
The motivation for my final self-proposed project came from the notion I have that my photos create a tangible reflection of what I see through my minds eye and what occurs in my brain. I will be handing out disposable cameras to multiple people and prompting them to shoot images that they would normally not consider taking a picture of. I will also let them know not to censor themselves and that any subject matter is acceptable. In an almost anthropological way, I am interested in how others see the world in order to compare it with myself as well as compare the images taken with each other. This project therefore also has a certain voyeuristic aspect to it. I want my viewers to be as intrigued and as interested as I am with the images that those given cameras decided to take. I think that it will be almost like a puzzle when all of the images are collaged together to create a giant wall mural. I want to evoke emotions of wonder and interest as well as urge them to consider what they would have taken photos of. I am hoping that some of the images will be shocking to the viewers, but that depends on how radical the camera holders were willing to get. Some of the images will most likely also have the ability to make the viewers laugh. One of the key points of this project is to project the way multiple people view the world. I am beginning to think that I will also use a camera or two in order to compare and contrast the way I see the world with the way the people I gave the cameras see it. I think that this project will create an in depth view into the people that took the images, mass media, popular culture and current trends in society as well as college life and popular activities for people my age as well as what they consider to be important or intriguing enough to take a photograph of.
Write a detailed description of your “motivations” for your final self-proposed project. Why are you interested in this subject? What do you want to convey? How do you want viewers to respond? Why are you inspired to make these images/this project? Do you want to evoke emotions in viewers? Shock viewers? Make them laugh? Make them think? Inform them? Reveal something about how you see the world? Reveal something about yourself, a person, a place, a feeling, a memory, a moment in time?
The motivation for my final self-proposed project came from the notion I have that my photos create a tangible reflection of what I see through my minds eye and what occurs in my brain. I will be handing out disposable cameras to multiple people and prompting them to shoot images that they would normally not consider taking a picture of. I will also let them know not to censor themselves and that any subject matter is acceptable. In an almost anthropological way, I am interested in how others see the world in order to compare it with myself as well as compare the images taken with each other. This project therefore also has a certain voyeuristic aspect to it. I want my viewers to be as intrigued and as interested as I am with the images that those given cameras decided to take. I think that it will be almost like a puzzle when all of the images are collaged together to create a giant wall mural. I want to evoke emotions of wonder and interest as well as urge them to consider what they would have taken photos of. I am hoping that some of the images will be shocking to the viewers, but that depends on how radical the camera holders were willing to get. Some of the images will most likely also have the ability to make the viewers laugh. One of the key points of this project is to project the way multiple people view the world. I am beginning to think that I will also use a camera or two in order to compare and contrast the way I see the world with the way the people I gave the cameras see it. I think that this project will create an in depth view into the people that took the images, mass media, popular culture and current trends in society as well as college life and popular activities for people my age as well as what they consider to be important or intriguing enough to take a photograph of.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Blog #23
Pick any three works by any of the photographers/artists listed on the assignment sheet. Describe how you would recreate/remake/reinterpret a work of theirs "in your own way". How would you use their work as inspiration for your own projects? For this prompt you should describe three different corresponding recreations that derive from three different works.
Grégoire Alexandre –I like the cleanness of his images. I have always wanted to shoot off confetti in a photo so I was attached to #41. Also the bold and bright single color in both the red and the blue image on page 46 are amazing. His work seems a bit commercial but there seems to be a personal level that I find intriguing. I also like how in some of his images he includes the photo set into his scene so as to take out any level of illusion.
I found the From Keetra website interesting. I like the idea of creating posters and using words in images to get a message across. It would be interesting to combine the posters with photography.
The Work of Luke Best is creative and playful, especially the image on the water with the large moon where the woman at the end of the dock is smoking a cigarette. That small detail gives the image a more intimate feel. I would like to experiment with making this sort of cutout collage approach to a painting and photographing a certain scene., possibly by first taking the photograph and then recreating it in cutouts from various paper sources.
Grégoire Alexandre –I like the cleanness of his images. I have always wanted to shoot off confetti in a photo so I was attached to #41. Also the bold and bright single color in both the red and the blue image on page 46 are amazing. His work seems a bit commercial but there seems to be a personal level that I find intriguing. I also like how in some of his images he includes the photo set into his scene so as to take out any level of illusion.
I found the From Keetra website interesting. I like the idea of creating posters and using words in images to get a message across. It would be interesting to combine the posters with photography.
The Work of Luke Best is creative and playful, especially the image on the water with the large moon where the woman at the end of the dock is smoking a cigarette. That small detail gives the image a more intimate feel. I would like to experiment with making this sort of cutout collage approach to a painting and photographing a certain scene., possibly by first taking the photograph and then recreating it in cutouts from various paper sources.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Blog Prompt #21
1. In what ways do you “construct” your identity? In what ways do you “perform” in your daily life?
I think everyone “constructs” his or her identity to some aspect. We have an image of who we think we are or who we want to be and then often go about acting in that way. I suppose I “perform” by being a student in class or when I do various other societal roles. In a way when I go out with friends everyone seems to be performing in a way.
2. Describe some ways in which your personal culture and social environments are “constructed”.
Advertisements and mass culture create a social construct of the norms that are expected and how individuals are expected to act. This is done with clothing and make up as well as objects that are considered “cool” at the time.
3. Describe some ways in which your physical environment/space is “constructed”.
Everything from interior design to organization is a way of constructing physical environment or space. My house for example reflects my personality in that I constructed the way things in the house are laid out and what the objects are.
4. In your daily life, what would you consider to be “real” and what would you consider to be “constructed/fabricated”?
I try to be as real as possible with everything in my life. I suppose a lot of the energy I put into certain things is not to the fullest of my capability and therefore is not fully what I consider to be “real.”
I think everyone “constructs” his or her identity to some aspect. We have an image of who we think we are or who we want to be and then often go about acting in that way. I suppose I “perform” by being a student in class or when I do various other societal roles. In a way when I go out with friends everyone seems to be performing in a way.
2. Describe some ways in which your personal culture and social environments are “constructed”.
Advertisements and mass culture create a social construct of the norms that are expected and how individuals are expected to act. This is done with clothing and make up as well as objects that are considered “cool” at the time.
3. Describe some ways in which your physical environment/space is “constructed”.
Everything from interior design to organization is a way of constructing physical environment or space. My house for example reflects my personality in that I constructed the way things in the house are laid out and what the objects are.
4. In your daily life, what would you consider to be “real” and what would you consider to be “constructed/fabricated”?
I try to be as real as possible with everything in my life. I suppose a lot of the energy I put into certain things is not to the fullest of my capability and therefore is not fully what I consider to be “real.”
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Draft: Dada
*** I didn't have enough time to shoot this after doing the burning so this image is shot from my phone!! (final result will be much different, most likely a burnt print that is bordered with the burnt film when mounted.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
" "
To photography reality is to photography nothing. Duane Michals.
Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.Duane Michals.
It is part of the photographer's job to see more intensely than most people do.Bill Brandt.
Photography is nothing--it's life that interests me.Henri Cartier-Bresson.
There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.Ernst Haas.
There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.Ansel Adams.
If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.Lewis Hine.
All photos are accurate. None of them is the truth.Richard Avedon.
One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind.Dorthea Lange.
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.Aaron Siskind.
Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.Paul Strand.
Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow. Imogen Cunningham.
Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.Duane Michals.
It is part of the photographer's job to see more intensely than most people do.Bill Brandt.
Photography is nothing--it's life that interests me.Henri Cartier-Bresson.
There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.Ernst Haas.
There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.Ansel Adams.
If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.Lewis Hine.
All photos are accurate. None of them is the truth.Richard Avedon.
One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind.Dorthea Lange.
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.Aaron Siskind.
Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.Paul Strand.
Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow. Imogen Cunningham.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Ton Zwerver
Ton Zwerver (born 1951) is a Dutch photographer, graphic artist and sculptor. His collages are immense and composed of seemingly infinite objects creating a mysterious puzzle for the viewer. His sculptures are rather whimsical and hold a lot of tension with stacking and display. What caught my attention most were his every day sculptures or Sculptures For The Moment. He followed up this work with a blog that is both creative, cerebral and inspiring. The description of the blog states “Everyday sculptures is a way of working. As sudden encounters, these sculptures only exist for a moment as they are photographed and changed again. Everyday one or more sculptures are made out of materials that come across my path. These encounters threat into stories with an unknown scenario.” I appreciate the zen like quality that he combines with sculpture and found art.
Historical Photographers/Artists
David Octavius Hill and Professor James Miller
Known as 'The Morning After "He greatly daring dined"'
About 1845 / Robert Adamson and David Octavius Hill / Scottish art
Medium: Calotype print
Hill creates complex compositions. This particular image is a mockery of being hungover, in this case he is the one hungover. Professor James Miller, a surgeon is holding the embarrassed artist’s wrist. Hill was a known drinker and this piece comments on his lifestyle.
Robert Adamson (Scottish, 1821-1848) is acclaimed as one of the premier professional photographers. He met Hill when opening his studio and the two began to work together. They truly used the medium in very way they could, experimenting with technology and props to create images.
David Octavius Hill (Scottish, 1802-1870) was trained as a lithographer and painter and is most well known for the calotypes he made with Adamson.
Together they represent tow of the leading pioneers of early photography in the nineteenth century.
Known as 'The Morning After "He greatly daring dined"'
About 1845 / Robert Adamson and David Octavius Hill / Scottish art
Medium: Calotype print
Hill creates complex compositions. This particular image is a mockery of being hungover, in this case he is the one hungover. Professor James Miller, a surgeon is holding the embarrassed artist’s wrist. Hill was a known drinker and this piece comments on his lifestyle.
Robert Adamson (Scottish, 1821-1848) is acclaimed as one of the premier professional photographers. He met Hill when opening his studio and the two began to work together. They truly used the medium in very way they could, experimenting with technology and props to create images.
David Octavius Hill (Scottish, 1802-1870) was trained as a lithographer and painter and is most well known for the calotypes he made with Adamson.
Together they represent tow of the leading pioneers of early photography in the nineteenth century.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
blog 10.24.2010
1) Should not be photographed? Why?
Photography of people that are in pain, sick, dying or dead have been brought up as highly controversial. Annie Leibovitz had a very close friend who passed away and she did a portrait of her at the end. I personally do not have a problem with this but I can easily see how it is an extremely touchy subject. Many would find this subject matter inappropriate and wrong. I have a very high tolerance for subject matter and I personally find it acceptable to take photos of anything and everything. The only time I personally think something should not be photographed is when the subject has specifically requested to not be photographed. Issues can arise here with the subjects’ ability to fully consent. For example there is a photographer who uses her children for a lot of her images and has been accused to grabbing her camera when they fall and scrape their knee instead of running to them with a Band-Aid.
2) Cannot be photographed? Why?
Clearly things such as child pornography or anything of that illegal sort should without a doubt not be photographed. It is valid to say certain things should not be photographed but “cannot” seems to imply physical impossibilities in capturing the image or legal barriers stopping the image from being made.
3) You do not want to photograph? Why?
If given the opportunity I would take a picture of just about anything. I would not want to take pictures of my loved ones suffering; however, I would capture the suffering of other’s if it were to be used as a way for their story to be told.
Photography of people that are in pain, sick, dying or dead have been brought up as highly controversial. Annie Leibovitz had a very close friend who passed away and she did a portrait of her at the end. I personally do not have a problem with this but I can easily see how it is an extremely touchy subject. Many would find this subject matter inappropriate and wrong. I have a very high tolerance for subject matter and I personally find it acceptable to take photos of anything and everything. The only time I personally think something should not be photographed is when the subject has specifically requested to not be photographed. Issues can arise here with the subjects’ ability to fully consent. For example there is a photographer who uses her children for a lot of her images and has been accused to grabbing her camera when they fall and scrape their knee instead of running to them with a Band-Aid.
2) Cannot be photographed? Why?
Clearly things such as child pornography or anything of that illegal sort should without a doubt not be photographed. It is valid to say certain things should not be photographed but “cannot” seems to imply physical impossibilities in capturing the image or legal barriers stopping the image from being made.
3) You do not want to photograph? Why?
If given the opportunity I would take a picture of just about anything. I would not want to take pictures of my loved ones suffering; however, I would capture the suffering of other’s if it were to be used as a way for their story to be told.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Nikki S. Lee
Nikki S. Lee was born in Korea in 1970. She later moved to New York where she got her masters in photography from NYU and worked as a fashion photographer's assistant after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is most known for her images of the snapshot aesthetic known as "projects" where she poses with different groups of culture both social and ethnic ranging from punks to young professionals describing their niche and subcultural elements. She has a friend snap the photo with an ordinary camera while she blends with whatever group she is with at that time. Her images are largely about identity both in a group, with a partner and as a person. She is adventurous and not afraid to make commentary on elements of life and herself.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Blog Prompts #16, #17, & #18
“I believe in the imagination. What I cannot see is infinitely more important than what I can see.” Duane Michals
Imagination is the fuel of creativity. A true artist is someone who has the ability to create a tangible object out of a mental image that stems from his or her imagination. Even when you see something that exists right in front of you, the mental attachments and connections you bring to that sight within your mind create a new image that is different for every viewer. I would not say that it is “what [you] cannot see” but more so what you are able to see in your minds eye that is important.
“Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.” Arnold Newman
To some, all reality is merely an illusion. Photography enhances this theory because it allows the creator to express and portray his or her version of reality and way of viewing the world. Photography is a “real” art form, and many images are representations of “real” objects in the world. The image; however, is not the “real” object, but an illusion or representation of it. Collage and photoshop as well as created scenes that the photographer shoots are without a doubt the reality of the photographer only. These things do not represent reality, they morph it into a completely different experience.
“Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.” Berenice Abbott
Since photography was invented it has served multiple purposes. The nature of photography is to capture a moment, preserving it forever. Therefore, a photograph has the ability to make a moment a memory or preserve a memory had by the photographer or someone else. Both the image and the subject become something in the past because that moment will never happen again in the exact same way, at the exact same time. As a result, photography represents that present moment; however, I do not believe that is can only represent the present because that present is no longer present when the image is viewed at a later date.
Imagination is the fuel of creativity. A true artist is someone who has the ability to create a tangible object out of a mental image that stems from his or her imagination. Even when you see something that exists right in front of you, the mental attachments and connections you bring to that sight within your mind create a new image that is different for every viewer. I would not say that it is “what [you] cannot see” but more so what you are able to see in your minds eye that is important.
“Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.” Arnold Newman
To some, all reality is merely an illusion. Photography enhances this theory because it allows the creator to express and portray his or her version of reality and way of viewing the world. Photography is a “real” art form, and many images are representations of “real” objects in the world. The image; however, is not the “real” object, but an illusion or representation of it. Collage and photoshop as well as created scenes that the photographer shoots are without a doubt the reality of the photographer only. These things do not represent reality, they morph it into a completely different experience.
“Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.” Berenice Abbott
Since photography was invented it has served multiple purposes. The nature of photography is to capture a moment, preserving it forever. Therefore, a photograph has the ability to make a moment a memory or preserve a memory had by the photographer or someone else. Both the image and the subject become something in the past because that moment will never happen again in the exact same way, at the exact same time. As a result, photography represents that present moment; however, I do not believe that is can only represent the present because that present is no longer present when the image is viewed at a later date.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Blog Entries 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
#11____Memory of a Place: Try to imagine a place from your past. Do you have pictures of this place? Describe this place as you remember it. What might a photograph look like of this place if you were to go back and photograph it? What would it look like in the past? What would it look like to you today? Where are you standing in this place? What other items are in this place? What colors do you see? Are there other people or are you alone? Make a “written photograph” of this place using words/description.
There is a lookout, “Big John’s” on an island that I have spent a lot of time at over the years. I do not have a picture of it; however, I can see every aspect of it in my mind. I used to hike down the cliff and watch sunsets there. Right under the edge of the cliff there was a fox den that I would climb in. Over the years the den got smaller. The cliff never seemed to lose its magnitude. Colors of green, blue and brown in every hue imaginable flooded the area. I have been there with friends at time, family at others and alone most of the time. Standing on the cliff you can see the dunes all the way to the end of the island in both directions and the coast of Wisconsin and Michigan on a clear day.
#12____Memory of a Photograph: Which photograph from your past do you remember most? Describe this photograph. Describe how it makes you feel when you remember/think about this photograph. How have you changed? How has the place in this photograph changed? What would a reenactment of this photograph look like? Would you act or look differently if you reenacted this scene today?
I would say it is nearly impossible to pick one photograph that I remember most. Clearly there are a few that come to mind, but I love looking at old pictures and could never just pick one. In a picture that is close to my heart my mom and I are out in the snow in front of our house, we both have the largest smiles. I have gotten older and it is interesting because I now strongly resemble my mom in the photograph. I would assume the place looks the same if there was the same amount of snow; however, we do not own the cottage any more. I would reenact it the exact same, with a giant hug from my mom, playing in the snow. Another picture that stand out is a photo of my grandfather and I ice fishing. I am in a bright pink snowsuit and we are holding up a fish that is larger than I was at the time, this scene could not be reenacted, he is no longer living.
#13____Human-Made Space: In the past, photographers who were interested in how humans impacted the natural landscape grouped together to form the New Topographics. “"New Topographics" signaled the emergence of a new photographic approach to landscape: romanticization gave way to cooler appraisal, focused on the everyday built environment and more attuned to conceptual concerns of the broader art field.” http://www.lacma.org/art/ExhibTopo.aspx
In addition, at the same time in history artists created (and still do create) “land art” in which they use materials found in the landscape to make sculptures that remain in the landscape. Many of these works now only exist as video recordings and photographic documents.
Pay attention to the number of ways in which you encounter humans’ interaction with nature and the physical land. Write these down. Using these as inspiration, describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might create that would be documented by a photograph. Describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might make in a man-made landscape that would be documented by a photograph.
I was watching someone blow leaves off of their lawn and driveway and thought it would be interesting to paint leaves different colors and watch them interact with the suspected colors of nature.
I always enjoy looking at the rock sculptures people make when hiking near the lake. It would be interesting to recreate a sculpture out of elements in nature.
It could be interesting to use ink on sand to create something similar to the way Buddhists make mandalas.
#14____Unknown vs. Familiar Space: When photography was invented, it became a way to document and reveal the specific aspects of both familiar and faraway places. Imagine a familiar place. Imagine a faraway place. How would you use photographs to convey the difference? Can you imagine any places that have been “touched” very little by humans? How might you photograph them?
Photographs taken of a familiar place are often specific and describe an aspect of that place where as photos taken of a faraway place cover the broad area. I would photograph places that have been touched “very little” by humans by showing hem from a birds eye view or by comparing them with a highly “touched” area, possibly overlaying that area on top of the pristine untouched land.
#15____Collage: Collage brings together two or more items that were previously separate. The resulting piece usually visually references the fact that they were once separate entities. Imagine an important place in your past. Imagine an important place in your present. Imagine who you were in both of these past and present places. Describe two photographs that you might take that could be collaged together to tell a new narrative about these important places and how they relate to who you are and were.
An important place in my past was where my grandparents lived, Turtle Lake. I was very young and adventurous. I spent a lot of time there with my grandparents and loved the time I spent with them.
An important place in my present is on the water in Lake Michigan. Being on the water makes me calm and at peace. It clears my head while filling me with peace.
Combined these places enable me to see where my love of water and boating began, for my whole life I have been doing both. What I once did with my family I now do alone and they have made me who I am. I have a Polaroid of my grandfather and I playing near a small sailboat on the lake where he lived. I have many photographs of Lake Michigan that I could combine this with. Being on the water is an important part of my life that connects me with my family and myself.
There is a lookout, “Big John’s” on an island that I have spent a lot of time at over the years. I do not have a picture of it; however, I can see every aspect of it in my mind. I used to hike down the cliff and watch sunsets there. Right under the edge of the cliff there was a fox den that I would climb in. Over the years the den got smaller. The cliff never seemed to lose its magnitude. Colors of green, blue and brown in every hue imaginable flooded the area. I have been there with friends at time, family at others and alone most of the time. Standing on the cliff you can see the dunes all the way to the end of the island in both directions and the coast of Wisconsin and Michigan on a clear day.
#12____Memory of a Photograph: Which photograph from your past do you remember most? Describe this photograph. Describe how it makes you feel when you remember/think about this photograph. How have you changed? How has the place in this photograph changed? What would a reenactment of this photograph look like? Would you act or look differently if you reenacted this scene today?
I would say it is nearly impossible to pick one photograph that I remember most. Clearly there are a few that come to mind, but I love looking at old pictures and could never just pick one. In a picture that is close to my heart my mom and I are out in the snow in front of our house, we both have the largest smiles. I have gotten older and it is interesting because I now strongly resemble my mom in the photograph. I would assume the place looks the same if there was the same amount of snow; however, we do not own the cottage any more. I would reenact it the exact same, with a giant hug from my mom, playing in the snow. Another picture that stand out is a photo of my grandfather and I ice fishing. I am in a bright pink snowsuit and we are holding up a fish that is larger than I was at the time, this scene could not be reenacted, he is no longer living.
#13____Human-Made Space: In the past, photographers who were interested in how humans impacted the natural landscape grouped together to form the New Topographics. “"New Topographics" signaled the emergence of a new photographic approach to landscape: romanticization gave way to cooler appraisal, focused on the everyday built environment and more attuned to conceptual concerns of the broader art field.” http://www.lacma.org/art/ExhibTopo.aspx
In addition, at the same time in history artists created (and still do create) “land art” in which they use materials found in the landscape to make sculptures that remain in the landscape. Many of these works now only exist as video recordings and photographic documents.
Pay attention to the number of ways in which you encounter humans’ interaction with nature and the physical land. Write these down. Using these as inspiration, describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might create that would be documented by a photograph. Describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might make in a man-made landscape that would be documented by a photograph.
I was watching someone blow leaves off of their lawn and driveway and thought it would be interesting to paint leaves different colors and watch them interact with the suspected colors of nature.
I always enjoy looking at the rock sculptures people make when hiking near the lake. It would be interesting to recreate a sculpture out of elements in nature.
It could be interesting to use ink on sand to create something similar to the way Buddhists make mandalas.
#14____Unknown vs. Familiar Space: When photography was invented, it became a way to document and reveal the specific aspects of both familiar and faraway places. Imagine a familiar place. Imagine a faraway place. How would you use photographs to convey the difference? Can you imagine any places that have been “touched” very little by humans? How might you photograph them?
Photographs taken of a familiar place are often specific and describe an aspect of that place where as photos taken of a faraway place cover the broad area. I would photograph places that have been touched “very little” by humans by showing hem from a birds eye view or by comparing them with a highly “touched” area, possibly overlaying that area on top of the pristine untouched land.
#15____Collage: Collage brings together two or more items that were previously separate. The resulting piece usually visually references the fact that they were once separate entities. Imagine an important place in your past. Imagine an important place in your present. Imagine who you were in both of these past and present places. Describe two photographs that you might take that could be collaged together to tell a new narrative about these important places and how they relate to who you are and were.
An important place in my past was where my grandparents lived, Turtle Lake. I was very young and adventurous. I spent a lot of time there with my grandparents and loved the time I spent with them.
An important place in my present is on the water in Lake Michigan. Being on the water makes me calm and at peace. It clears my head while filling me with peace.
Combined these places enable me to see where my love of water and boating began, for my whole life I have been doing both. What I once did with my family I now do alone and they have made me who I am. I have a Polaroid of my grandfather and I playing near a small sailboat on the lake where he lived. I have many photographs of Lake Michigan that I could combine this with. Being on the water is an important part of my life that connects me with my family and myself.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)