It's definitely crunch time for the first show, and I am really feeling just how close it is. On Friday I showed some possible iterations of one of the coffee table books for my installation. The content of my book is letters and notes that my grandparents wrote to eat other in the 40's. I have scanned the photos but will continue to use the actual photographs - placed into the book using photo corners.
The overall reception fit well with the conversation I had been having about the book in Design class. While at first I think I was attached to creating these layouts with pattern and leading the book in a scrapbook direction I have come to agree with the fact that perhaps the first version is too "designed". With the scanned in patterns and business, the content, these "artifacts" of another time do not shine through, nor does it fit with the rest of the content in my installation which is all very authentic and non-designed in the sense that I am using actual objects.
Beyond that the all aspects of my content seem to be captivating the audiences I have been showing them too, however my challenge continues to be how to make my own photos and the found photos co-exist in a logical way and allow each to shine.
I've continued to divide the found photographs into sets based upon where they are in the house, showing the passage of time and the growth of the family, in the same comforting setting.
I've experimenting with lots of ways to hang everything. Here's a most recent look at that:
I think after this latest hanging I am leaning towards: more space between sets of photos and thinking that I want the larger photos (my originals) to perhaps be even a little more separated in the space. Perhaps on the right wall of my installation space:
The challenge would be to make it feel cohesive, but I think if done right it could serve as a nice bookend to the installation.
Mary,
ReplyDeletePersonally, I LOVE the fact that you found the old letters that your grandparents used to write to each other! It definitely gives a more personal touch to your project (not that you aren't doing that already!) and I love that you are splitting the family photos into where they were taken. I think that your thoughts on more space between the original photos you were going to hang might help it flow better when hung on the wall for thesis. Can't wait to see the whole project come together!
Hey Mary,
ReplyDeleteI think that of all the thesis ideas I have heard about so far, yours in the most saturated with love and devotion. The premise of creating such beautiful words and images, preserving them, and passing them on generation after generation so they can be re-established as fine art articles makes your project incredibly specific and unique. It truly stands out against so many other abstract or conceptual projects that work hard to eliminate or create false/theoretical emotion. You get so personal; I think everyone who sees the show will appreciate your intimate approach.