These are the images I made over the summer. They have no theme other then portraits. But I've enjoyed making them and and getting a lot of ideas while working with my friends and family.
Honors Project
Illusional Landscapes
This group of images is my attempt to visually represent my split home life. My dad lives on a farmhouse in Southwest, Ia and my mom lives in a contemporary home in downtown Des Moines, Ia. I have combined the most beautiful aspects of each living style into one image, creating balance and harmony between my two worlds that have always remained so separate.
I’ve stitched together outdoor panoramas of mainly rural scenes, taking my time on beautiful fall days to make multiple exposures in the quiet serenity of country roads. I was welcomed into many homes in my mom’s neighborhood, enjoying the distinct glamour of each family’s decorating style. And then the process of selection begins. I combined images based on color temperature and my ability to maximize the more interesting parts of each landscape. With each new creation, I strive to maintain the integrity of both landscapes while also discovering how they fit together.
Anything but Yourself
“When you look in a mirror, it’s hard to see anything but yourself.”
The mirror simultaneously creates and defines my exterior presentation. I rely on my reflection and my critical judgment as a consistent barometer of my attractiveness. I know how my body looks in every position. I know what expressions my face conveys. I know every unpleasant feature I possess. Above all, I know how to best present myself. Because of this lifelong study, I am fully aware of the person I exhibit in everyday life.
I am fascinated with the idea of “mirror as truth” and how we, namely women, use our studied reflection to determine physical behavior. The young women reflected in my mirror had no idea what they looked like at the moment my shutter clicked. The image reflected back to them was one of me, taking their picture.
The idea of not knowing what you’re presenting to the world is uncomfortable, especially when confronted with a camera. To compensate my models used practiced poses extracted from studied and perfected daily behaviors, using their past mirror experiences to the influence their current mirror situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment