REPHOTOGRAPHING [02/03/20]
Updated: Apr 22, 2020
Looking into the photograph as an object...
Taking into consideration the current situation restricting our freedom with regards to making work outside of the home environment, I wanted to use this as a chance to work with what I had created and made prior to this restriction in early February. I thought it is a perfect opportunity to explore and experiment within the realm of still life as it is something I have rarely done within my personal practice.
I wanted to look into the idea of the photograph as an object, and begin to comment on this lack of physicality and materiality when dealing with and handling imagery in todays image saturated world. I therefore conducted a studio style still life shoot, using a homemade makeshift studio in my home. The first step on this exploration involved the rephotographing of the original darkroom prints of the initially digital files that I had gathered from online sources as they appear to the eye. A straight up, representational approach to ease my way into this area of working.
Overall I am somewhat content with the outcomes, however the creases that the background sheet are causing could be somewhat distracting and could divert the viewers gaze from the central focus of the frame. However saying that, I do want there to be a level of untidiness and disorder within the images, and make the viewer aware that they have been created in a domestic space with makeshift facilities and resources. This again, commenting on the restrictions that we face with exhibiting physical work to an audience for the final result.
? CONSIDER : ?
-Human presence suggested by creases
-Creating a feeling of 'makeshift' ...commenting on restrictions of working from home, and lack of resources ... i.e incorporation of initial mistakes, revealing process of creation,
-Unconventional style of presentation / exhibiting style... does this affect viewers interpretation? -
EXPLORING CONVENTIONAL EXHIBITION / GALLERY / PRESENTATION STYLES :
NO. 1 = Plinth / White background
Plinths, white backgrounds, frames and wall hangings are all well recognised, conventional techniques of presenting artwork (photographic) in a gallery space. I wanted to bring light and attention to this restriction of not having a physical exhibition to present and display our work. I also wanted to question and comment on this idea of viewing imagery through a screen, and the way this alters our interpretation / perception of the artwork / photograph itself. This is again in response to this restriction of not being able to experience the work physically.
