1) Ghost in the Machine, Simon Ward.
An exhibit of broken screens of kindles. The images are broken, distorted and frozen. This can be seen to link to a lot of work around digital photograph and how it is distorted once it becomes numbers and replication; these images are a function (when they work, as a screensaver) but once they break, the still images become defunct, a photograph of the machine. The broken nature suggests a darker side to machines; the forgotten nature of broken things, which capitalist society immediately disposes of. This is also it's beauty; it opposes norms, you do not often see broken pictures in a gallery. This is extenuated by the way it is displayed- each kindle is in it's own pedestal, like a sculpture. This suggests the value in found photography and in things which are broken and which most people would disregard. The images themselves are classic art works, and them being placed in such a way also comments on the idea of "classical art"; here we are viewing classical art, in a classical way (on a pedestal) but only through the broken screen of a kindle- an electronic item made up of metal and wires and chips- a sculpture in itself but also completely un-classical. When I viewed it, I felt like this might be a comment on how we see classical art now- through millions of cultural references, through hundreds of replications- the original form is lost, or broken. Therefore, the way it is displayed helps us to construct ideas about it.
2) Ezekiel 36:36, Nick Balloon
This was a more "traditional" style of exhibition. It was about an Bolivian airline, which had been grounded since 2007. There were about 10 photos on the wall, and they all definitly represented the main idea of loss, of hope for a future not come and a past to be proud of. The photos are all taken with a warm, but soft light- suggesting nostalgia, but not something too current (direct sunlight would be more present) They all have a feeling of space too- as with the photo of the pilot, who stands tall, but is surrounded by a derelict office; his eyes do not meet the camera, but he is smartly dressed and straight backed, suggesting his pride. As his eyes do not meet the camera, this might suggest his loss also, that he is not proud yet/still. I liked that this photo was next to a photo of a simulation cockpit, which is framed inside the room, so you can see the room around it, making it look tiny, insignificant, incapable- it used to top of the range, but now it is old and defunct. Next to the pilot, they compliment each other- both suggest a past of efficiency and pride, but their framing /pose suggests it loss. The rest of the exhibition uses similar lighting and staging to suggest these issues; for instance, a dead bird on a seat, a metaphor of being grounded. I liked how the photos worked together and created this weird, lonely air. I'm not the biggest fan of art on a wall- i prefer something you can walk around/stare at/touch/interact with, but it definitly illustrated the
importance of choice of photos in display.
3) The Grey Line, Jo Metson Scott
This was a group of photos/artifacts written/taken of soldiers who had defected from the Afghanistan and Iraq war. The photos on the wall were big photos of soldiers, and they had diary entries hand-written on top of them. There were also actual books in a case, with the same layout of diary entry and photo, with the illusion the whole book was the same. There was also a large print of a photo, but it had a "bend" in the middle, and pages on either side- it was a photo of a book blown large. I really liked these, there was so much feeling behind them. This was a result of many things; the book creates a story feeling; that there is more to read, that this is the part of a story (which encourages you to move onto the next book/photo, to get the next bit) as well as looking personal; like a travel journal or a diary, which gives it an element of "raw truth." Secondly, the use of handwritten notes is great- this also gives it a personal element, their writing gives their words an accent and personality. The writing also goes on the photo; this connects the two, instead of having a caption separate on the wall. This is engaging and draws you, especially as arrows connect the photos and small words on the photos adds extra meaning to parts of the photo; I liked that my eye was moving constantly, and that the nature of the presentation made everything more personal. The photos themselves helped to illustrate the loneliness and fear of being a soldier, the confusion of defecting and trying to re-preposition themselves in the world. they never look at the camera, suggesting there is something beyond we cannot see, creating a space between us and them, their experiences and ours as spectators of the war. In a way here, the book helps to create the feeling that we are witnessing history, that they are part of it (in their photos, apart from us) and we are only watching it. This was a really interesting and cool way to show photos, and it evokes lots of emotions!
In terms of my project; I talked with Paul, and he suggested i have to get moving. I bought 10 disposable cameras. I also have re-emailed several people, and approached Newhaven community center- who have links to Sussex anyway. We'll see what happens. I am panicking because in 3 weeks we have to give a presentation with some photos; this seems way too far for my project! So, we'll see.
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