Conflict and Comfort

For some time I have wanted to tackle a response piece to the protests happening in Iran. As a white, american female I felt weighed down by lack of empathic understanding. Thus, i drew inspiration from the protests and chose to portray my experience of them.

In this short series I am surrounded with green, the symbol of support for Iranian protesters. The black shroud symbolizes not only the Iranian struggle, but my own struggle in comprehending the injustices of the world. It wraps around me tightly, suffocates, and owns my form. However, my hands keep it pulled snug around my body. This juxtaposition of comfort and conflict with the shroud voice my own feelings of comfort and conflict with my position in society.

Unlike a Veil Series

Current works in progress

I'm in the middle of a few projects, but have made very little progress this summer. I have been working hard at my job and have taken awhile to adjust to the terrible hours and the lack of a consistent schedule.

Tomorrow I'll be experimenting with an installation project. I'll post images soon.

I hope to have my Polaroid book finished by the October. I need to get inspired about design elements of the actual book. I the book as well as it's content to be part of the artwork.

I took engagement photos of Bryan and Amanda in Chicago. We were all exhausted from walking around the city all day, but I think some good ones came out. I like this photo because of the sense of comfort I get from the casual placement of hands and legs. The couple is sitting very close together showing they are intimate, but the only touch thighs, suggesting their need for one another does not overshadow their independence. Ultimately, they are a very mature and endearing couple and I'm excited for their union.

Nashville

I'm currently enjoying my Spring break in Nasvhille, TN. It's been a lot of fun visiting my sister-in-law's sister. We took a weekend trip to Decator, Georgia which is actually a pretty hip place. I had never heard of it before, but the architecture, people, and events were great, even on a cold rainy-day.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera cord so I need to wait to upload photos.

So, I believe I want to help begin a fashion blog for Nashville. Any ideas or suggestion? I'm going to possibly help get it started by taking photos, but I haven't done this sort of thing before. How does a blog really pick up?

It'll be interesting to see how it goes.

that's it for now,
steph

cliché vs avant-garde

Straight from my sketchbook:

We were assigned to find two images with the same subject. One was to be a cliché image, the other avant-garde.

My first image, which fulfilled the cliché role, is a typical portrait of children. The sun is shinning, they are running, and they couldn't be happier, perfect (yet slightly creepy) siblings.

The second image is one that I recently discovered in the 51 Venice Biennale Exhibition Book from 2005. Yes, the average art student is more likely to discover new art in a 4 year old Biennale book than discover it in the current year's biennale.
Either way, I thought this image by Eija-Lisa Ahtila, from a film called The Present, 2001, was a much more interesting interpretation of a child's portrait

Something else I read into this image as an avant-garde statement was the fact that the little girl's bright blonde hair was growing out and being replaced with a darker, "diry-blonde" color. To me, this signified youth leaving. I thought the idea was echoed by having the girl lay her head in a mud puddle, reflecting her muddy, blonde hair.
I dont' know. just one way to read it... I wish I would have seen the film!

On Cliché vs. Avant-Guard depcitions of Societal Roles

This is one example of an Avant-Guard style shooting a cliché subject. I have an example of the cliché style that will be posted later. My TA liked my photos so much she used them as examples for the class as to how I fit the assignment.

It feels good to be reassured about what I want to do with my life.

Thanks to Amanda for being such a willing and lovely model.

french week

I recently saw a french film and was reminded of how much I enjoy them. Oh to be young in Paris in the 60's. Since I can't time travel, I just attempted to recreate this scene with a marker cap instead of a cigarette.

Self-portrait on interior vs. exterior role in society

Let me know what you think.

Beauty Example for A&D 119

The Blob 4 (1994) by Jeanne Dunning


In my photo class we were asked to bring in an example of beauty in a photograph after reading this article...

FOUR ESSAYS ON BEAUTY
By Dave Hickey