Idea post #5 Thursday September 30, 2010

Idea post #5 Thursday September 30, 2010

Topic: Social conformity

Quote 1:

"Three major and universal characteristics of human nature are involved in issues concerning individuality and social conformity. First is the conservative tendency in the physical part of our human nature which seeks safety and security and clings to that which offers that security and resists all new impacts and changes that threaten to disturb the source of that security. This is what I referred to earlier as habit and unwillingness to change in my posting in the individuality forum. There is a second urge that seeks activity and interaction with other people though on the basis of established tradition and usage.  There is a third urge which is a product of our unique mental creativity which sets us apart from other organisms. This mental urge seeks change and improvement by applying our mental powers of invention and discovery to favorably modify the environment around us." 

"Individuality and Social Conformity | World Academy of Art & Science." World Academy of Art & Science | UNITY IN DIVERSITY. Web. 30 Sept. 2010. <http://www.worldacademy.org/forum/individuality-and-social-conformity>.

Although this comment from Ashok Natarajan seems blog like  or conversational. The information discussed does not seem ill-advised. The intellectual insight into group thought process and why individuals conform was fascinating. in the small section I quoted he breaks down three reasons. 

Quote 2: 

"The present study explains why we often automatically adjust our opinion in line with the majority opinion," says Dr. Klucharev. "Our results also show that social conformity is based on mechanisms that comply with reinforcement learning and is reinforced by the neural error-monitoring activity which signals what is probably the most fundamental social mistake—that of being too different from others."

Cell Press. "Brain Mechanisms Of Social Conformity." ScienceDaily 16 January 2009. 29 September 2010 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090114124109.htm>.

In the quote Dr. Klucharev explanes the findings of the experiments they completed. The scientific explanations of the monitoring of the brain in relation to conformity was very interesting and provided a different less emotional reasoning behind social conformity. 

Relevance to my work:

In my work it seems to be a social structure to be accepting of this loss of community. this idea of social conformity shows up in my other ideas, such as this protection mechanism of filling your space and life with belongings.  I find the scientific explanation as well as the emotional explanation to be very interesting in understanding the tendencies of humans. 

Miguel Palma Lecture Question/Response

"Miguel Palma is a Portuguese artist who creates large-scale installations out of industrial and used objects that often take the form of intricate, self-sustaining systems. Since 1989, Palma’s projects have explored matters related with the world’s hurried technological development, proposing alternative (and ironic) paths to this hunger of new."


http://www.vcu.edu/arts/sculpture/dept/visiting/visiting_home.html

miguel-palma

 Questions for the artist: 


It has been said your, " work also examines the social practices and impacts that develop from technologies." and that you are "particularly interested in ideas about reciprocity and value. " do the things you create, have more value after or is their value the same just in a different light. brought to our attention by its new form? 


As addressed in his Reconstruction project. The value of the oriental vase increased dramatically. 




Your work also seems to play with scale. From very large to very small. What seems to be more effective in conveying the intended message? 


seems that large scale projects have a more aw inspiring feel. However the small scale projects create an intimacy that is otherwise  . 

Rescue Games, a Prosepct.1 New Orleans installation by Miguel Palma

What was the most interesting quote of the lecture and why?
The lecture was slightly hard to follow, but I enjoyed his discussion about collecting things. he said this in regards to his shelves of cars, "its part of my obsession, I keep adding and buying cars"

- Using three words, define the core of the artist's practice and artwork.
scale, abundance, earth.

- What is the most interesting thing you learned about the artist that you did not know before?
I did not know that he thought of his work at " low budget" when some of his large scale projects are clearly not. 

- What image or artwork do you find the most compelling and powerful after hearing the artist describe it?
the collections

- Do you have any new questions in regards to the artist?

I wish there wasn't technical difficulties and he would have spoken more about his intent behind some of his projects. 

 

Artist Entry #4 Monday September 27, 2010

Artist Entry #4 Monday September 27, 2010

Artist: Keith Arnatt 

Why- Keith Arnatts photographs are wonderful in my opinion. At first I did not understand why i was so drawn to his work. After listening to the video clip, hearing Arnatt talking about the use of the snapshot image and how the reaction of the subject was important, It was very clear the fundamental similarities of my work with his.  

Quote 1-

In regards to Arnatt’s Notes from Jo “ He told me more than once that he wanted to photograph the notes simply because he thought they were wonderful, he wanted a record, and that if he didn’t photograph them they would disappear. As he told me, ‘Every couple has their own way of expressing their relationship.’ However, the approach is connected with the rest of his work nevertheless.”

Arnett, Keith, and David Hurn. I'm a Real Photographer. London: Photographers' Gallery, 2007. Print.

I find the series Notes from Jo, and Notices to be very touching and  full of personal insight. Although the way he photographs them they seem to hold a documentarian feel. 

Quote 2- 

Between 1979 and 1986 Arnatt had only two one-man shows (though Walking the Dog made it to five venues), and the Tate stopped collecting his work; after all, in a by now notorious statement, Alan Bowness had declared that "you have to be an artist and not only a photographer to have your work in the Tate". Arnatt was fully aware of the insecurities and contradictions the false artist/photographer dichotomy seemed to provoke, and mocked the Tate's elephantine hair splitting in his 1982 article Sausages and Food: "Making a distinction between, or opposing, artists and photographers is, it strikes me, like making a distinction between, or opposing, food and sausages - surely odd. In the way that sausages may be given as an example of food, photography may be given as an example of artists' practice. The notions of distinction and opposition simply do not and cannot apply to these differing category terms".

"Review of Keith Arnatt, "Rubbish & Recollections"" John Stathatos. Web. 24 Sept. 2010. http://www.stathatos.net/pages/keith_arnatt.html

The article by John Stathatos referencing the works of Keith Arnatt were found on line at http://www.stathatos.net/pages/keith_arnatt.html but First published in Art

Monthly, London, July 1989

Interview with the artist or a review-- 

This exhibition reflected the achievements of Keith Arnatt's work from 1973 to his most recent practice. In this film David Hurn, Photographer and Curator of this Exhibition, talks about the work of his friend, Keith Arnatt

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"Keith Arnatt: I'm a Real Photographer - City and County of Swansea." Home - City and County of Swansea. Web. 24 Sept. 2010. <http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=22819#normal>.

Artist website/ galleries-  I did not find a website for Arnatt, or a Gallery but I know he has had solo shows in Anthony D’Offay Gallery, London. Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol. The Photographers’ Gallery, London. As well as Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. Arnatt has had many group shows from 1969-2007 in MoMA and Tate Britain.

4 Images: 

Idea Post September 22, 2010

Idea Post September 22, 2010

Word: Vulnerability

Definition: Vulnerability is the susceptibility to physical or emotional injury or attack. It also means to have one's guard down, open to censure or criticism. Vulnerability refers to a person's state of being liable to succumb, as to manipulation, persuasion or temptation.

Quote 1: " Social Concern

Let not your photographs drift away from context.

Earn the right to see what you wish to show.

Your social concern is to document life with empathy.

Be true to the image people want to have of themselves, but at the same time do show what you believe is their real image. The dignity of the poor, in particular, demands that their situation be known.

A documentary coverage can never be total. Complete a biased image by another biased image.

Be an iconoclast – a destroyer of established images."

"Photo Ethics: Aim High When You Shoot." Center for Media Literacy. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. .

This ethics for photographers was an interesting account of the ways things should go about being shot. I suppose I need to take a closer look at my photography and make sure I am not being too abrasive.

Quote 2: “Still, there is something predatory in the act of taking a picture. To photograph people is to violate them, by seeing them as they never see themselves, by having knowledge of them they can never have; it turns people into objects that can be symbolically possessed. Just as the camera is a sublimation of the gun, to photograph someone is a sublimated murder - a soft murder, appropriate to a sad, frightened time.”

Susan Sontag, On Photography by Susan Sontag , ISBN: 0385267061 , Page: 14-15

"Susan Sontag - American Author, Playwright, Art Critic, Film & Theatre Director - Quotes about Photography." Great Photography Quotes - Best Photographers Quotations. Web. 23 Sept. 2010. .

This Quote is from Susan Sontag’s book, On Photography. The source for the quote was an online database for art quotes.

Connection to my work:

I find that with what I shot last week made the subject matter whether that was, people or people’s houses. Made them very uncomfortable. This creation of vulnerability was not my intent but something I need to be aware of in my work.

Artist Monday September 20, 2010

Artist Monday September 20, 2010

Artist: Zoe Strauss

Why- Zoe strauss is a community based artist. Her work on the I-95 under the freeway project brought the community she worked so closely with together. Her use of truth and community are what I would like to bring to my work.

Bio- "Within the last 10 years Ms. Strauss has has published "America," a collection of photographs that was an Artforum "Best Book of 2008," been in a show and had works purchased by The Art Institute of Chicago, spent a month in Spain teaching and having a big show in conjunction with La Casa Encendida and Ivory Press, received a United States Artists fellowship, spent a month in Alaska courtesy of USArtists and the Rasmuson folks, shown in France, had 2 acclaimed solo shows at Silverstein Photography, been in the 2006 Whitney Biennial, received a Pew Fellowship in the Arts, been commissioned to create a ramp project at the Philadelphia ICA, had 8 prints purchased by the Philadelphia Museum of Art for their permanent collection, received a Leeway grant and won 'friends of Arcadia award.' "

Strauss, Zoe. "March 2010." I-95.10. 2 May 2010. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. .

Quote 1- " at 4 the show is done, that means that if people want to take the photographs they can, its not a commodity in therms of I'mm putting these up and I'm taking them down as if there is some worth for that, the worth is the moment their up that three hour time period in which there all up and together"

quote from video 1, Zoe Strauss. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. .

Quote 2- This quote is a quirky insite into a working artist life and personal worry in the form of a conversation to her loved one. It is nice to see that working artists are not granted the freedom from worry about the same things we are, its all about getting the image we need to get.

"Listen honey, I hope you mind that I don't have a job on the horizon and I'm using what money I have to go to the Gulf to record some of what's happening with this environmental disaster. And I'm not really sure how this work will turn out, it might not be successful, but I'm still doing it so do you mind taking care of the house, all the finances, and all the household responsibilities while I head into a toxic mess where you won't know where I am? I'll be driving through the Delta, rural Louisiana and maybe Alabama and Florida or maybe Texas and meeting up with strangers by myself. I'll call when I stop at an Arby's or something."

Strauss, Zoe. Zoe Strauss. 20 July 2010. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. .

interview or review- please see video 1 'under the freeway'

Gallery rep site- Strauss has work in both The Art Institute of Chicago and Philadelphia Museum of Art for their permanent collection

artist site- http://www.zoestrauss.com/zoe.html

Idea Entry Thursday September 16, 2010

Idea Entry Thursday September 16, 201

Topic: snapshot image

Definition: Noun: an informal photograph, esp. one taken quickly by a hand-held camera.Hunting . a quick shot taken without deliberate aim. Informal . a brief appraisal, summary, or profile.

Quote:

"In the mid-1960s, the idea of a "snapshot aesthetic" began to gain currency in art photography circles. Photographers like Lee Friedlander (born 1934) and Garry Winogrand (1928–1984) prowled the streets of New York with handheld cameras, producing images that seemed random, accidental, and caught on the fly. While the majority of art photographers working in this mode were using black-and-white film, in the early 1970s photographers such as William Eggleston (born 1939) and Stephen Shore (born 1947) incorporated the saturated hues of early color snapshots into their work."

Source:Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fineman, Mia. "Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography". InHeilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kodk/hd_kodk.htm (October 2004)

This article discussing early photography history was put out by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This source is a credible source. Leading me to different directions of information regarding similar information.

Quote 2: "In the early 1990s, snapshots and those who took them began to be looked down upon by professional photographers and those who aspired to be art photographers because they composition and technical quality were, in their view, lacking."

Stroebel, Leslie D., and Richard D. Zakia. The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography. Boston: Focal, 1993. Print

I was brought to this book when searching for the criticisms of the snap shot ascetic. I found that this was a very reliable and useful resource that I would like to continue to investigate

summary:

The snapshot ascetic is a stylized tool that I am investigating to create a more impact-full image, with the use of my proposed subject matter. I think that the snapshot ascetic would create a realistic approach to a very serious and intended thought provoking idea. However, I do not want to create a rushed or sloppy styled body of work that some critics could argue snapshots are.

William Eggleston

Lee Friedlander

Wafaa Bilal Lecture Questions/responces

Artist lecture: Wafaa Bilal

http://www.wafaabilal.com/index.html

two questions for him:

Your work seems to feed off this idea that numerous individuals need to see it in order for it to have the correct outcome, are you satisfied with the outreach you have gotten with your latest works? If not, what do you plan to do to combat the lack of participation, or branch out you feel it deserves?

This question was answered with out me ever needing to ask. When discussing the Domestic Tension project he told us that they underestimated the amount of traffic on the website, causing it to crash on the 10th day. This is a wonderful problem to run into when you have a work that is so heavily based on web interaction.

What have you found to be the reaction to your works? are there places you feel your works would not be appreciated by the majority? If so does that shy you away from working in those areas?

I think that Bilal put it very nicely in saying the work has a capability to be agitating to its viewer. The works as I understand from the lecture are intended to reach those who normally would not or bring about something form a less likely viewer. I think that putting the work in areas with conflict or areas that would not have a full and total embracing of the work is not only impossible but would bring about no reaction.

FROM THE ARTIST LECTURE:

A Quote I drew a parallel to in my own work was in regards to his work and himself as the artist as a, "platform indicator rather than an informer"

Three words I would describe him and his work as:

1.) courageous 2.) current 3.) reactionary

Something that I did not know previously about the artist was: I learned that Bilal was kicked out of Iraq, I found that to be very compelling.

I was impressed by the Domestic Tension project but after hearing Bilal talk about it, it really shows how deep the project really got. Weather that interaction between shooter and artist and onlooker the project took on depth that was not originally noted.

I am very eager to see what Bilals next project will show us.

Artist Entry #2 September 13, 2010

Artist Entry #2 September 13, 2010

Artist--David Strohl

why-- David Strohl is a photographer that has created a body of work that I am particularly interested in called 'To drift Savannah'. In this body of work Strohl investigates the world around him, representing the people and places by way of environmental portraiture type photography. I am mainly interested in how Strohl takes his images a step above snapshots, and a step below staged portraits. I very much enjoy the ease and truth behind the faces he chooses to photograph. I am at a point in my new body of work that requires me to decide weather I will be continuing the series mainly at night or during the day looking at photographers like Strohl gives me an opportunity to investigate the detail he achieves while shooting mainly in the day time.

Bio-- David Strohl describes him self as an artist, photographer, and educator located in the savanah area. His work can be found on numerous blogs around the web comuity. He is also represented by Sanderson Hawkins Reps, LLC. (1)

2 Quotes -
Strohl says in his artist statemene:
"Through repeated exploration, there has become apparent a rich and complex network of relationships between inhabitants and their surroundings. Much has been revealed about our personal identities and the choices that we make, as much as the broader scope of the work is linked to the nature of how all people attempt to define themselves."

He goes on to mention somehting extreamily important in my work saying:
"Hopefully, these observations lead to more questions and explorations about the nature of society"

"Artist Statement : David Strohl Photography." Home : David Strohl Photography. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. .


interview with the artist or a review-- http://southphotography.blogspot.com/2010/07/david-strohl-featured-on-conscientious.html
or
http://jmcolberg.com/weblog/2010/06/david_strohl/

artist rep-- http://shreps.net/talent/david-strohl/

artist website-- http://davidstrohl.net/

Works cited:
"Conscientious | David Strohl." Jörg M Colberg. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. .

Conscientious a blog founded and edited by Jörg M Colberg started in 2002. This blog is a wonderful resource to find new artist. This is the website that first introduced me to David Strohl.

Recognizing, By. Southern Photography. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. .

Southern Photography is anoher blog I found David Strohl on. In this blog they do a breif review. labling Strohl as a photographer to 'watch out for'

Idea Entry #2 Thursday September 9, 2010

Idea Entry #2 Thursday September 9, 2010

Topic: Neighbors

Quotes: "Americans go on 60 percent fewer picnics today and families eat dinner together 40 percent less often compared with 1965, he said. They are less likely to meet at clubs or go bowling in groups. Putnam has estimated that every 10-minute increase in commutes makes it 10 percent less likely that people will establish and maintain close social ties."

Vedantam, Shankar. "Social Isolation Growing in U.S., Study Says - Washingtonpost.com." Washingtonpost.com - Nation, World, Technology and Washington Area News and Headlines. 23 Sept. 2006. Web. 08 Sept. 2010.

Washington Post article states 'Social Isolation Growing in U.S., Study Says'. Looking at statistics and data collected via telephone interviews funded by The National Science Foundation. Research states Americans find it less and less important to branch out in a face to face setting.

"The following are the principles of an ideal neighborhood design:

1) the neighborhood has a center and an edge; 2) the optimal size of a neighborhood is a quarter mile from center to edge; 3) the neighborhood has a balanced mix of activities- dwelling, shopping, working, schooling, worshipping, and recreating: 4) the neighborhood structures building sites and traffic on a fine network of interconnecting streets; 5) the neighborhood gives priority to public space and to the appropriate location of civic buildings."

Katz, Peter, Vincent Joseph Scully, and Todd W. Bressi. The New Urbanism: toward an Architecture of Community. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1994. Print.

The New Urbanism: toward an Architecture of Community is a book that I found discussed points that were valid in understanding the core of a neighborhood. In the quote I used I was outlining the definition more so than the opinion of loss of community.

summary:
In my current work I am continually confronted with the idea of a dying community or lack of 'neighbor'. Understanding the thoughts of philosophers, sociologists and other humans has proven to be very informational in understanding and having the support and acknowledgment of others that this is a growing problem in America.

video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnxRqGOQvWE

Artist entry Monday September 6, 2010

Artist Entry Monday September 6, 2010

Artist-- Jason Rablando

why-- Although Reblando has a very deep seeded interest in the social welfare of humans, that diverges from my intended focus, the visual elements in his images speaks to the photographs I am interested in taking. I find it curious the use of subject matter of his conseptual aim, however what initially sparked my interest was the use of individually representing the inner substance of what lies behind the exterior facade of a housing construction. I hope to draw some inspiration from the images Reblando is known for taking. The intense feelings expressed in his images is another compelling element I hope to absorb.

Bio-- At 37 Reblando has accomplished a great deal. With his background Sociology from Boston College and numerous community building positions such as community organizer in southern Oregon in the Jesuit Volunteer Corp, the work being produced showes his background education. Most of the past work produced by Rablando has strong currents of social welfare and brings to light situational problems caused by past governmental decisions. As stated on his bio page of his website "his photographs are part of the collections in the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Midwest Photographers Project of the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art." (1)

2 quotes--
" Public housing is often associated with confinement, restriction, and discipline that the space imposes on its residents…[I] have chosen to create narrative portraits emphasizing the expansiveness of the public housing landscape and the complexity of its community."
— Jason Reblando (2)

"His portraits of select public housing residents under the transformation plan attempt to convey the complexities involved in such a project on the community as well as how the project affects the individuals living within these major development projects." (2)









interview-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLJ1aXqIOEc&feature=related

gallerys-- http://www.mocp.org/collections/mpp/reblando_jason.php

http://www.mam.org/include/searchResults.php?cx=009371230315774562722%3A6pruihzaate&cof=FORID%3A11&q=jason+reblando&sa=Go&siteurl=www.mam.org%2Fexhibitions%2F#161

Jason Reblando-- http://www.jasonreblando.net


works cited
(1)
Jason Reblando || Photographs. Web. 07 Sept. 2010. http://www.jasonreblando.net

(2)
Museum of Contemporary Photography. Web. 07 Sept. 2010. http://www.mocp.org/collections/mpp/reblando_jason.php

Idea Entry Thursday September 2nd 2010

Idea Entry Thursday September 2^nd 2010

Topic: Hoarding

Definition: Hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Some people also collect animals, keeping dozens or hundreds of pets in unsanitary conditions. By Mayo Clinic staff

Quote:

“In severe cases, hoarders may not be able to comfortably or safely live in their homes. If you're concerned that a loved one has a hoarding problem, seek assistance from a mental health professional.”- Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.

Hall-Flavin, M.D., Daniel K. "Hoarders: When Does a Hobby Become an Obsession? - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic Medical Information and Tools for Healthy Living - MayoClinic.com. Web. 01 Sept. 2010.

The article was a question answer article published on mayoclinic.com. Mayoclinic.com is a web based not-for-profit group medical practice, designed for anyone to gain knowledge regarding the health field. In the article Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin was answering the question ‘when does a hobby become an obsession?’ Dr. Hall-Flavin is board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.

Quote 2:

“This year, at least one person was trapped under an avalanche of their own clutter. Now, research suggests that people like this—compulsive hoarders—have distinct brain abnormalities.” ScienCentral

"Hoarding: Science Videos - Science News - ScienCentral." ScienCentral | Science Videos | Science News. Web. 02 Sept. 2010. 2362>.

This article and video was commenting on the nature of a 85 year old mans apartment. This article was a vivid representation of how overwhelming the clutter can become. ScienceCentral.com produces science and technology content for television, the web, and corporate clients, in addition to working with museums and educational publishers to develop multimedia educational products.

summary:

Hoarding is something I am very interested in learning more about and documenting. As I traveled this summer I found a huge disgust in the amount of belongings the average human, specifically Americans, felt the need to have. Hoarding is an extreme variation of the consumerism I had such a fascination with. I am interested in exploring where this problem has its roots. I am also interested in why we feel, as a culture, the need to embrace such practices. If I continue to create within this arena I hope to bring to light some understanding that there is no need for an overabundance of material belongings