Surfaces and Stratagies
It was at this point I added my self into the project as a 6-month-old baby. It has been documented in earlier projects, that I do not wish to show the faces of my siblings. With this image, I tried several techniques to hide my brother's faces from simply blurring them to using coloured squares; however, I find this method of warping the image more satisfying.
Robert McMillan 6 months old 1963
Letters are an essential aspect of my archive, and I intend to use more in later work. I was inspired by many books, mainly Davidmann's book Ken - to be destroyed and Red Headed Peckerwood to some extent. I find the written word connects the reader directly with the feelings of the writer. Nothing to be lost through time! I decided to highlight the words which had the most meaning. I wanted it to look like a ransom letter, almost threatening.
Letter of condolence following my Grandmothers death
Ricard Martinez has been an influence on my work this term. Using found images and merging the old with new. I found this image of myself as a toddler at the beach in Whitby. I decided to blend it on to a contemporary photograph, but leaving it slightly transparent so the new image shows through.
Whitby Beech with me as a toddler
Carl Strom's book Montoristen uses the negative as a narrative to describe being lost. This slide is based on that concept. The partially concealed Red Room in the background is where my Father stayed after my mother's death. I made this image with this in mind and tried to reflect his loss at that time to happier days. I'm not sure if this image is successful and maybe too complicated?
Montage of my Parents and Siblings 2020
Kiiski in her book, Archive Play skillfully uses shapes and lines to create rhythm and flow to her images. Her practice deals with the relationships between fiction and reality. Kiiski use of colour and shapes concentrates the focus on the movement of the figure, adding movement and dynamic form. I find this a fascinating concept, and one I shall visit again.
Kehrer, 2014 Archive Play Compositions Studies (Triangle),
I used the images I had taken with the photocopier and decided to make them more meaningful. I liked the concept of placing my mother’s image in the palm of my hand (Fig 1) and also my father, although that was not as successful (Fig 2). The final image is using tattoos created in Photoshop and mapping them on to the image (Fig 3). I’ve used this technique before but many years ago so I had to relearn what to do! I also gave the images a slight tint to warm the tone.
Fig.1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Taking four photographs and not using conventional methods, I used a scanner. Each image has a meaning, Hope, Anger, Success and Belief.
Hope
Anger
Success
Belief
Early concept of using contemporary images with pictures from the archive. This didn’t work but it led me to other more successful images.
My first Tutorial with Laura today proved very productive, and I received positive feedback. Laura suggested that I add further text to my book 'Mothers Love', and then it could be published or displayed in a gallery. She also suggested the '100-year-old orange’ be photographed on its own rather than with the Tankard. I explained I would be creating an image-based around the Ricard Martinez practice and use this in my project as well as the week one assignment. Laura also suggested that I begin introducing myself when I was a child into the project and concentrate on the Punctum by focusing on details like the close up of my mother’s eye. I have found several photographs relating to me in my youth which I will explore over the coming weeks.
Artist to look at Nanna Hanninen - https://nannahanninen.com
100 Year Old Orange and Tankard
Following a webinar with Steph, it was suggested I look at the following practitionaires Todd Hido and Peter Fraser.
During the spring break, I experimented with various forms of self-portraiture. I wanted to express my mood at the time, due to personal circumstances, and the current lockdown situation. I decided to melt one side of my face in Photoshop to add to the drama of the image, and best represent me at the time. The initial idea came from the front cover of Peter Gabriel’s third album (1980).
Face Mask