Assignment Two : Finding your Voice

10 Images

Contemporary Awareness 2

Research .. List of photographers


Jose Ramon Ais

http://www.30y3.com/jose-ramon-ais-hierbas/

Zarina Bhimji

http://www.zarinabhimji.com/

Unable to copy image ...


Elina Brotherus 

http://www.elinabrotherus.com/photography/index.php

Calum Colvin

http://calumcolvin.com/

Gregory Cewdson 

http://www.artnet.com/awc/gregory-crewdson.html

This is Gregory Crewdson...


Alexander Gronsky 

http://www.alexandergronsky.com/#/

David Hockney 

http://www.hockneypictures.com/terms.php

Alfredo Jaar 

http://www.alfredojaar.net/

can't get pic ..

James Nachtwey 

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

Edward Olive 

http://www.edwardolive.info/

Lise Sarfati

http://www.lisesarfati.com/

Unable to get image

Jan Saudek 

http://www.saudek.com/en/jan/unvod.html

Lorna Simpson 

http://www.lsimpsonstudio.com/

Cant get image ..

Jeff Wall 

http://www.mariangoodman.com/artists/jeff-wall

Exercise : There's only one

pics of me ...

Hourly pictures for three days .... then produce 8 images to create a profile of me ...

Research Point - Barbara Kruger

Various points..

Rachel Stone 

http://www.lilithgallery.com/gallery/rachel_stone.html


Also Rachel Stone Photography.com  ... cant connect


Laurie Toby Edison 

http://laurietobyedison.com/video.asp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DNB5AsrYjI   - not the correct link


Miru Kim 

https://vimeo.com/19871003

http://www.mirukim.com/photosPig.php


http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/naked-city-spleen-by-miru-kim-1

Sam Taylor-Wood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJQYSPFo7hk    incorrect link ...

The Notion of Self

Read the links ...

A Sociological Approach to Self and Identity

http://wat2146.ucr.edu/papers/02a.pdf




Identity Theory

http://wat2146.ucr.edu/papers/00a.pdf

Exercise : Everyday Icons

Photo montage on my feelings to feminism ..

Have a look at Martha Rosler ..

http://martharosler.net/photo/index.html   ( incorrect site )

Exercise : Stereotypes

Consider stereotypes .....

Produce three images .. two false and one true ...

Cindy Sherman

See interviews ..

CINDY SHERMAN 

http://www.jca-online.com/sherman.html


Cindy Sherman Interview 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZekNrhRWek&feature=related


Characters in her work ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiszC33puc0&feature=related


Fashion and its victims 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtATCPCC8b8&feature=relmfu


Vimeo films .. 


https://vimeo.com/2176377


https://vimeo.com/35780957


Clowns 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCkSQOaCf7s&feature=BFa&list=PL2DBA1E2449FOFDF2&lf=results_video

Photography and feminism

Research Point ..

The History of Feminist Movement

http://www.ehow.com/about_5454191_history-feminist-movement.html


Martha Rosler 

http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/feminist/Martha-Rosler.html


Georgia O'Keefe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AY9rDB-WBk  ( this is a different site )

Exercise : My Current Position

Look at pieces of art ...

A. My Bed .. Tracey Emin

http://www.saatchigallery.com/artists/artpages/tracey_emin_my_bed.htm

I did actually see this bed art at the Tate some years ago, pre photography course, and I must say I didn't hang around for long.  Maybe having two offspring I am faced with this vision most mornings and at the time didn't see it as art, just a mess.   I can understand it as art and I think it could be the same piece of work without stains, but maybe it couldnt.   This work actually makes me cringe a bit as I cant thin of anything worse than anyone let alone the world se my unmade bed, along with debris alongside. My own bed is debris free !

Whether it be art or not it has always been big news and made her famous, and is still a constant talking point.  She obviously was planning to make an impact when she produced this work ( apparently it is her actual bed not a mock up ) but I'm not sure even she expected such an impact and for so many years.  It always surprises me what and whom the public decide to make famous - if it had been someone else's bed would it have made the same impact, or was Tracey Emin part of the art.  She did always fascinate me when she was interview, in an uncomfortable way - she would make me cringe just the way she spoke, her look etc.  But I think she was the whole package, her and her bed go together as a piece of art !

Do I like it or not ... No, not really..


B.  Convergence - Jackson Pollock 

http://www.kaliweb.com/jacksonpollock/images/art/convergence.jpg

This painting is 93 inches by 155 inches - very large - Pollocks brushstrokes make use of colour, texture, lines and contrasting shapes.  It was once made into a puzzle and said to be the most difficult puzzle ( one for my daughter - who lets say loves a puzzle challenge ) ..
Convergence was the embodiment of free speech and freedom of expression. Pollock rebelled against the constraints of societies oppressions. Pollocks abstract work was hard to decipher but his rebellious nature and expression of freedom were clearly evident.

As with Tracey Emin, I feel here Pollock was out to shock and prove his point.  Saying to us all I can do exactly what I want, whether you like it or not..  and the same can be said for photography - perhaps we should take a leaf from their book and loosen up a bit and do anything that you want.. not stick to what is expected.

Im not sure how this is painted - whether there is much thought gone into this, or whether its thrown together with a fluid arm.   I can hear my grandparents saying what a lot of rubbish a child could do better. etc etc..
It would help to speak to the artist for their thoughts to appreciate what he has produced.  If you compare this to a beautiful portrait which is skilfully put together and is a thing of beauty, I would admire the portrait more.

I can understand the expression of the artist wanting to be rebellious and this all adds interest to the world.  I would like the art in a modern room as a colour co ordinating piece to enhance a room, but Im not sure if I would admire the work - I may be with my grandparents with their thoughts.

Do I like it or not ?  I'm undecided .. as I say would have in a room and then I would probably be intrigued to find out more about this type of art.




C. Hell - Jake and Dinos Chapman

http://jakeanddinoschapman.com/

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jun/16/jake-and-dinos-chapman-how-we-made-hell

These designs are quite amazing the detail is unbelievable, meant to shock apparently and nominated for a Turner Prize.  The detail is quite minute and intense, sometimes changing face and body parts.  As much as I admire the intensity of this work I do find it a bit dark - I cant imaging what is going on in their minds.  I wouldn't even have a starting point to produce such work.  I made a lego car once, but lets say it was basic ... beyond this they then put their work into glass cases, and the cases in the shape of a swastika, I suppose this is where I would stop, if I had even produced such a work I wouldn't then move on to displaying in such a way.

Do I like it .. well no not really.. I am fascinated by the work and production but too dark for me.



D. Bram Stoker's Chair - Sam Taylor-Wood


http://www.chairblog.eu/2010/08/10/bram-stokers-chair-series-by-sam-taylor-wood/

I like these set of images, I find them intriguing.  The models body make a large and definite shadow on the wall and the chair doesn't.  Call Bram Stoker after the vampire who left no shadow, this knowledge makes viewing even more intersting. you look and question the images.
Do I like this images ?  Yes, I think I do ..


E. CREMASTER - Matthew Barney 

Well this is hilarious .. the cremaster is a muscle that makes the testes in the male spieces, rise and fall and the images represent this.

Reception of this ranges from it being considered a work of art, to self indulgent tedium !!

My view is, great, but I wont be taking it too seriously, Im not sure if the artist does, he has taken a lot of years to produce this so for that reason he has taken himself seriously.

Again here I can appreciate the efforts and wonder how these peoples imagination works, how they think of such things.  Anyway made me titter, again here I would like to discuss it with Matthew Barney .. see where he is coming from.. and what is in his mind ...

Undecided as to whether I like of not :-)



http://www.cremaster.net/#

CREMASTER 1 (1995) is a musical revue performed on the blue Astroturf playing field of Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho - Barney's hometown. Two Goodyear Blimps float above the arena like the airships that often transmit live sporting events via television broadcast. Four air hostesses tend to each blimp. The only sound is soft ambient music, which suggests the hum of the engines. In the middle of each cabin interior sits a white-clothed table, its top decorated with an abstract centerpiece sculpted from Vaseline and surrounded by clusters of grapes. In one blimp the grapes are green, in the other they are purple. Under both of these otherwise identical tables resides Goodyear (played by Marti Domination). Inhabiting both blimps simultaneously, this doubled creature sets the narrative in motion. After prying an opening in the tablecloth(s) above her head, she plucks grapes from their stems and pulls them down into her cell. With these grapes, Goodyear produces diagrams that direct the choreographic patterns created by a troupe of dancing girls on the field below. The camera switches back and forth between Goodyear's drawings and aerial views of the chorus girls moving into formation: their designs shift from parallel lines to the figure of a barbell, from a large circle to an outline of splitting and multiplying cells, and from a horizontally divided field emblem (Barney's signature motif) to a rendering of an undifferentiated reproductive system (which marks the first six weeks of fetal development). Gliding in time to the musical score, the chorus girls delineate the contours of a still-androgynous gonadal structure, which echoes the shapes of the two blimps overhead, and symbolizes a state of pure potential.

Steve McCurry The Unguarded Moment

You Tube Interview ...

Steve McCurry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uic6p4lwX8


William Sawalich article ...

http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/how-to/shooting/the-unguarded-moment.html#.Vc8xByhAtSo



Richard Billingham talks about his work ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCQJlwrrVlk


Larry Sultans work  ...


http://www.photography-now.com/artist/larry-sultan

Exercise : Artistic Styles

Read Chapter 10 ' The photograph manipulated' - Clarkes The Photograph.

Exercise ..

Artistic Styles ..

150 words about an issue you feel worthy of comment. ?

Issue worthy of comment

What I want to talk about is strongly in the news at the moment and that is the immigration problem.  I have seen a documentary on the Sirian war and it was truly awful how the people were treated and the use of chemical warfare. 

I know if it were me and my children and family I would definitely try to escape and move for a better life.  I do feel guilty living the life I do when others struggle everyday to survive.

The only problem is that the countries that these people are going to are overcrowded and have there own problems with homelessness and benefit users.  I do think we should help and I think we should be helping in their countries of origin to sort the problems there and so stop them leaving or having to leave.

However saying that – I don’t know what can be done – it seems to be out of control.

Then make an image either one of three artistic styles ..

Constructivist

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(art)

Surrealist 

http://www.theartstory.org/movement-surrealism.htm

Conceptual 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptual_art

Exercise : Photography as Illustrative Art

Choose a famous piece of poetry and develop some images ...

再别康橋 輕輕的我走了， 正如我輕輕的來； 我輕輕的招手， 作別西天的雲彩。 那河畔的金柳， 是夕陽中的新娘； 波光裡的艷影， 在我的心頭蕩漾。 軟泥上的青荇， 油油地在水底招搖； 在康河的柔波裡， 我甘心做一條水草！ 那榆蔭下的一潭， 不是清泉，是天上虹； 揉碎在浮藻間， 沉澱著彩虹似的夢。 尋夢？撐一支長篙， 向青草更青處漫溯； 滿載一船星輝， 在星輝斑斕裡放歌。 但我不能放歌， 悄悄是別離的笙簫； 夏蟲也為我沉默， 沉默是今晚的康橋！ 悄悄的我走了， 正如我悄悄的來； 我揮一揮衣袖， 不帶走一片雲彩。

Taking Leave of Cambridge Again By Xu Zhimo Softly I am leaving, Just as softly as I came; I softly wave goodbye To the clouds in the western sky. The golden willows by the riverside Are young brides in the setting sun; Their glittering reflections on the shimmering river Keep undulating in my heart. The green tape grass rooted in the soft mud Sways leisurely in the water; I am willing to be such a waterweed In the gentle flow of the River Cam. That pool in the shade of elm trees Holds not clear spring water, but a rainbow Crumpled in the midst of duckweeds, Where rainbow-like dreams settle. To seek a dream? Go punting with a long pole, Upstream to where green grass is greener, With the punt laden with starlight, And sing out loud in its radiance. Yet now I cannot sing out loud, Peace is my farewell music; Even crickets are now silent for me, For Cambridge this evening is silent. Quietly I am leaving, Just as quietly as I came; Gently waving my sleeve, I am not taking away a single cloud. (6 November 1928)

Poem about Wells next the Sea ..

in praise of wells-next-sea
by harriet howell

our friendly happy little town
has time and room for all
come to our corner of the world
you'll be welcome when you call

we've a little railway engine 
that trundles from the quay
with a pleasant friendly driver
who will take you to the sea

come shopping in our small quaint streets
no vast supermarkets here
just friendly old fashioned service
and you'll even be called m'dear.

cargo boats you'll see unloading
clustering round our harbour wall
graceful swans float by so grandly
as the waters rise and fall.

the frary family with their shellfish
you will find upon the quay
and as whelk boats ride at anchor
they'll sell you fish straight from the sea

we've another little railway
and if a pilgrim you would be
it will take you to our lady's shrine
o'er hill, or vale, or lea













wander through our lovely pinewoods
as the evenings softly close
find peace and real contentment
just before you take repose

the scent of pines and flowers
bird song at eventide
will for ever be remembered
though you travel far and wide

so come dear friends to our little world
though grander places you may find
but none with a heart more gentle
and none grant you more peace of mind

Example given ..

Tennyson's - The Lady of Shalott 

Part I

On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And thro' the field the road runs by
To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Thro' the wave that runs for ever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Four grey walls, and four grey towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.

By the margin, willow veil'd
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhail'd
The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd
Skimming down to Camelot:
But who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?

Only reapers, reaping early
In among the bearded barley,
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly,
Down to tower'd Camelot:
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers "'Tis the fairy
Lady of Shalott."

Part II

There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving thro' a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot:
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the surly village-churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls,
Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,
Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad,
Goes by to tower'd Camelot;
And sometimes thro' the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two:
She hath no loyal knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often thro' the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights,
And music, went to Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed;
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

Part III

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,
He rode between the barley-sheaves,
The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,
And flamed upon the brazen greaves
Of bold Sir Lancelot.
A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd
To a lady in his shield,
That sparkled on the yellow field,
Beside remote Shalott.

The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,
Like to some branch of stars we see
Hung in the golden Galaxy.
The bridle bells rang merrily
As he rode down to Camelot:
And from his blazon'd baldric slung
A mighty silver bugle hung,
And as he rode his armour rung,
Beside remote Shalott.

All in the blue unclouded weather
Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,
The helmet and the helmet-feather
Burn'd like one burning flame together,
As he rode down to Camelot.
As often thro' the purple night,
Below the starry clusters bright,
Some bearded meteor, trailing light,
Moves over still Shalott.

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;
On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flow'd
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.
From the bank and from the river
He flash'd into the crystal mirror,
"Tirra lirra," by the river
Sang Sir Lancelot.

She left the web, she left the loom,
She made three paces thro' the room,
She saw the water-lily bloom,
She saw the helmet and the plume,
She look'd down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack'd from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.

Part IV

In the stormy east-wind straining,
The pale yellow woods were waning,
The broad stream in his banks complaining,
Heavily the low sky raining
Over tower'd Camelot;
Down she came and found a boat
Beneath a willow left afloat,
And round about the prow she wrote
The Lady of Shalott.

And down the river's dim expanse -
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance -
With a glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot.
And at the closing of the day
She loosed the chain, and down she lay;
The broad stream bore her far away,
The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white
That loosely flew to left and right -
The leaves upon her falling light -
Thro' the noises of the night
She floated down to Camelot:
And as the boat-head wound along
The willowy hills and fields among,
They heard her singing her last song.
The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,
Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,
Till her blood was frozen slowly,
And her eyes were darken'd wholly,
Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.
For ere she reach'd upon the tide
The first house by the water-side,
Singing in her song she died
The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,
By garden-wall and gallery,
A gleaming shape she floated by,
Dead-pale between the houses high,
Silent into Camelot.
Out upon the wharfs they came,
Knight and burgher, lord and dame.
And round the prow they read her name,
The Lady of Shalott.

Who is this? and what is here?
And in the lighted palace near
Died the sound of royal cheer;
And they cross'd themselves for fear,
All the knights at Camelot:
But Lancelot mused a little space;
He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace.
The Lady of Shalott."

Part Two - FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

What Is Art .....

Atget's Corset Shop 

Read the first part of chapter 6 ... 'On and Beyond the White Walls' - Photography as Art.

( Course reader pp.260 - 92 ) - Liz Wells

Response to Tutor Report for Assignment One

Thank You for my Tutor report to Assignment One..

Its always good to get a response because it is then that you see exactly where your work has been less positive and how you can improve.  Things seem so obvious when someone else says it..

We are telling a story and some images are less effective at doing that than others.  I feel that my pictures told the story of my day at the stables, but I should have been making the images tell their own story.  The comments make you look again at your pictures and the story.  Its good for future projects - hopefully ..

The horses were fine with the camera, it was probably me standing back here as both me and them were all a little early morning cautious .
You said the saddle didn't add to the narrative and I can see it doesn't really say much as a photo, but from my point the tack room is a very busy room - tack on and off during the day - and I thought this was a 'prettier' picture of the tack room but maybe I should have tried for something a bit more active.

Also the water buckets, were in constant use and the girls were continually filling and carrying to horses, which is why I included this picture as it was so important to the yard.  The busiest place but I can see from this shot its stagnant.

I also note to have people facing the camera, although I sometimes like people walking away. Image 10 also you say the same, and although I like this image as it is, I note your comments of having them walk towards me and the camera.

From your comments I learn also to take more time to get a better selection of shots to choose from.  I definitely felt a little uncomfortable here, not from them but I still feel a little awkward, which is improving as I go along.  I didn't rush my shots but didn't keep taking more and more, trying not to annoy anyone.

The image 11 is the game of 'whats the time mr wolf'?  and these games are a big part of their riding lessons and now I realise its hard for them to explain themselves without text, but I wanted to include as to me this needed to be in there.

Image 12 is a portrait - but its more than that - Codey is quite a character and he too was a big part of my day, but I understand maybe Im making it too personal, but the stables liked this image too.  I note it doesn't say much about the people or place - or does he. ?
He is one of the main ponies and is ridden daily - I suppose it would depend on what you were producing.  To me he is very much part of the place.

I also note other comments to steamline my blog and I will also re do the photobook and re submit.

My main things I have learnt are to make sure the images are telling the story I want them to and take my time, take more images to get a better dynamic or just so I have a bigger pool to edit from.