ITAP Part 2, Genius of Photography, Week 2

Week 2, Part 2 Genius of Photography

Q1. What Are Typologies?

   Typologies are a means of comparison or reference of photographic evidence
of existence and change, therefore creating records and documenting

the characteristics of common objects that have resemblance of previous 

found objects. Typologies consist of subject matters based around;

medicine, criminology, astronomy, material culture, architecture

and even food, therefore the vast analytical study of such areas creates 

an archive for future reference. 
   Each individual photographer will have their own interpretation upon a
 study and analysis of what they are wishing to photograph, making their collection
personalised and unique to their style and preferences, creating their own
constraints for content and completion.

   The images which have been collected over a period of time may often retain 
the appearance of repetition, however, the differences which have been

documented are more obvious when displayed as a series of images.

Bernd and Hilla Becher

   These two artists are prime examples of creatives who have produced  

a typology. However, as a unique approach these two artists have formed a duo

to produce collaborative typologies based upon structures, and buildings during

the decline of industry within Germany, documenting their existence before the 

disappearance and removal of such structures and buildings. 

Q2. What is "The Face of Times"?

   August Sander created a book produced from the collection of images formed 

from his human typologies in which he had been collecting of people 

living in German. Each person used within this published piece had been divided 

into one of seven different categorisations devised by Sander's himself, 

and each category contained sub areas for each individual.

   From each of these segments it documented social classes, 

relationships of the people in which he had photographed, as well as

documenting German society during the years of the war.

   The images do not fully describe the the characteristics of the person 

who has been introduced into this particular typology, however it is showing more

of how the subject wishes to be seen because everything else is hidden.

Q3. What magazine did Rodchenko design?

   Rodchenko designed the magazine entitled "USSR in Construction", 
which displays political propaganda, which glorified the achievements of the
Soviet system. The magazine consisted of cutting edge graphics,
and series of Photo-Montages which manipulated the reality of the raw images
which were issued within the magazine.

Q4. What is a Photo-Montage?
   A photo-montage is the conjoining of two or more images to generate 
a continuation of image which create a sequence, in order to create an 
illusion and trickery of reality. A photo-montage can consist of digital manipulation, 
photographic manipulation and scrap-book collaging.
   Photographs can be treated as raw material enabling editing, manipulating, 
and combing of various images together to change the intention and meaning 

of the original imagery, creating an alternate reality and deception of the 

truth and history through simplistic methods of cutting and pasting.

Peter Kennard

Peter Kennard produces photo-motages, based upon political issues publishing his 

opinions through the photographic medium to create campaigns. 

   Through the manipulation of imagery Kennard has addressed

issues such as war, and nuclear disarmament, displaying his work as pieces

of petition, altering the nature of reality of current/previous occurrences, 

and amplifying and intensifying the original raw photography to produce

imagery which is more striking and powerful as well as persuasive to encourage

his beliefs, and approaches.

Q.5.Why did Eugene Atget use albumen prints in the 1920’s?

   With dream like qualities of brightness attained within his photographic imagery and 
profound shadows, his ability lacked in using modern methods and 
materials for the medium of photographing, despite this Atget produced images 
with intense clarity and precision. Due to his methods being acquired from that
of an older generation it was easier for him to use the Albumen process,
since his knowledge upon other processes was minimal, although his
knowledge of other processes was not extensive, he was very skilful
in this area of expertise.

Q.6 What is Solarisation and how was it discovered?

   Solarisation is the reversing of the tone, creating an alternate reality of surrealism.

The subjects within the photographs appear metallic, robotic and almost

solid due to the appearance the reflectivity creating the effect of aluminium.

   Solarisation was discovered in the late 1920's by Man Ray, his curiosity

of using the camera as a form of instrument to explore his dreams was what bought
his exploration of the medium to this discovery.  

Q.7 What was the relationship between Bernice Abbott and Eugene Atget?
   After Man-Ray's assistant Abbott, became familiar with Atget's work,
discovering his documentary pieces of "Old Paris" which could only be explained 
as an extreme piece of art work, Abbott began to pursue purchasing Atget's work.
   Through this pursuit it began to expose his work, making Atget's photographic 
pieces more widely renowned as well as gaining world wide recognition, exposing
the genius of his photography.

Q.8 Why was Walker Evans fired from the FSA?

  Since Walker Evans refused to fulfil the requests of the government for propaganda

purposes he was fired from the FSA, showing a different perspective upon 

the situation of the Great Depression.

ITAP Part 2, Genius of Moving Image, Week 1

Week 1, Part 1 Genius of Moving Image

Q1. List Two specific key relationships between Sam Taylor Wood's; Photography and Film Work?

 Wood's work consists of the elements of human emotions, which is 
emphasises through the focus upon facial expressions
and also the body language,  as well as this her work is also 
focusing upon the occurrences of life,and the state of situations. 
   These two elements are of both concentrated factors within her work, 
and create this relationship throughout her series of work in both film and 
photography, emphasising deep philosophical meanings showing the
power of human emotion through a range of situations. This causes empathy
from the audience, creating a deeper connection to the pieces, making 
each narrative of work, and the subjects within her work more realistic 
and believable.

Q2. How does the use of multi-screen instillation in her work reflect narrative?

   Dependent upon each film which she has produced depends upon
the purpose, the meaning and the necessity for requiring multi-screenings
for her cinematic pieces, which orient you around the space, enabling you
to be more engaging with the piece. The reflection of the narrative
is clearly emphasised as you are orientated around the space, 
being a spectator for each individual element, engaging in the characters 
emotional responses to situations as you see the story from 
a third angle perspective.

Examples of the use of multi-screening to suit the narrative;

• Travesty of a Mockery; 1995

   This split screened cinematic piece shows the tension within an argument,
creating a physical divide with the screen displays, and begins to introduce
the idea of invasion and claustrophobia as characters begin to cross
screens.

• Pent-Up; 1996

   The basis of this production has been split over 5 screens to operate

this conversation, situating one subject to an individual screen,

surrounded by a differentiation of environments. Voices were pre recorded to

enhance the idea of a social whirlwind, and idea of insanity of each subject 

appearing to be talking to themselves. 

Q3. What other photographers use film as an integral part of their work?

List 2 examples:

Tim Walker - Fashion photographer turned film maker, Walker executed
his first moving image piece, creating a short film in 2010 "The Lost Explorer".
With the integration of both practices, Walker has now begun to direct
and produce several more moving image pieces, which have enticed
a variety of audiences globally, with his visually exciting retrospective 
of movement, camera angles and lighting, this transcends the idea of emotion
and reality to the audience.

Still Imagery captured from the film "Forgetful Green" - Tim Walker

Carolyn Mendelsohn - With three different traits as a practitioner, Mendelsohn

works with photography, film and performance beginning her career as a director

and writer for theatre. This passion for being involved within the creative arts 

encouraged her to begin recording the process of these acts, projecting her 

visions in weird and wonderful places, giving quirky adaptations to the previously

experienced visuals. Of most recently, during experimentation Mendelsohn 

discovered the intensity and power that still imagery obtains, and has began

to use this medium along side her moving image pieces, combing 

the visual elements together to maximise the viewing experience, with added

extras of animation.

Q.4 Research 3 other video artists and explain their work philosophy?

Quentin Tarantino - Tarantino's work focuses upon
non linear stories, transferring the viewers attention back and forth 
in time allowing them to assemble the jigsaw narrative themselves, 
creating almost a memory simulation of events, such as Pulp Fiction.

   His work has aesthetasised the idea of gore and violence, with
intriguing juxtaposition of humour and his style of created violence, which
has generated a branded genre. Tarantino's main influence is the idea
of aesthetising and infusing his ideas with those of the convention
of the cartoon medium, melding comic strip formulations to marry the
expressionism of this art work through live action scenes. 

Guillermo Navarro - Navarro's work is based around the theme of fantasy and
the idea of mythological creatures, entering also into the genre of action
with twisted elements which create a flux state of mind for the audience.
   To add to the aesthetics and give further impact to his film pieces creating 
depth in atmosphere, his work contains vivid blues, and yellows.
The quality of his final product of cinematography fluctuates between 
well-defined, sharp, to smoothed over and very fine, this is due to the 
input of colour which effects the film grain.
   With the use of filters he has the ability to control the mood 
through the idea of colour, creating the impression of warmth and cold,
this technique does not require the emotional input of actors and actresses,
this only emphasis further intensity of the narrative's atmosphere by the 
inclusion of acting. 

Tim Burton - American Film Director/Producer, Writer, Artist and Animator,

his work is often focused upon horror sequences, with macabre gothic fantasies.

Burton's work on the recreation of Alice in Wonderland, and 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, clearly illustrates the individuality of his 

dreamscape for ideas, and the adaptation of other artists work. 

   Furthermore, Burton's work still incorporates the integration of his 

eclectic skills of illustration, animation, screen writing and producing and directing.

Each piece of work exercises these practices through the visual expression 

and Burton's work often involves recurring collaborations of actors, 

and musicians therefore ensuring the continuation to create consistent

quality final production pieces which are recognisable and distinguished as 

his own.

Q.5 Show an example of a specific gallery space or a specific location

where a video artist or film maker has created work specifically for that 

space and been influenced by it?

The location for the "Edoras" 

Peter Jackson - The sequel of "Lord of the Rings" was filmed across
New Zealand within its conservational areas and national parks. 
In Peter Jackson's film version, a fully realized set for Edoras was built on
"Mount Sunday" in the upper reaches of the Rangitata Valley, near Erewhon.

From J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy piece, Jackson decided that the location

that is now Edoras, became the perfectly aesthetasised visual that

the English writer had described with its extensive grasslands, over cast by snow 

peaked mountains, this would become the base for Rohan.

ITAP Part 2, Genius of Photography, Week 1

Week 1, part 1 Genius of Photography.

Q1. What is photography's true genius?

   Photography has the ability to transform what it is describing, 

and is therefore showing the true art of photography. However,

the true genius behind the 170 years of this medium is how

it intrigues the audience, and shows clarity of the mediums particular

secret strangeness that lies beneath appearances.

Q2. Name a Proto-Photographer?

   Henry Fox Talbot was a Proto-Photographer.

Q3. In the 19th Century, what term was associated with Daguerreotype?
   Louis Degar, had began the process of fixing shadows to 

mirrored metal plates in 1824. This process created a form of polaroid image that could not create multiple reproductions; this light operated variable print gave the impression of presence and was therefore associated with the idea that the final product was a "mirror with a memory".

Q4. What is The Vernacular?

   The Vernacular is a genre of photography which contains 

many subcategories such as:

• Forensic Photography.
• Scientific Photography.
• Journalistic Photography.
• Touristic Photography.
• Insurance records/Passport records/Court documents.

The subcategories all of which are for purposes for documentation,

and identification, as the The Vernacular itself is not intended for

an art based aesthetic but for recording in a visual mannerism.

Q5. Who is Nadar, and why was he so successful?

   Gaspard-Félix Tournachon was the creator of his own copyright, Nadar, this business name created an extra element of professionalism to his practices as a photographer, and establishing himself with his own unique signature styles. 

It has been inferred that Nadar is the Andy Warhol of bohemian Paris during the 19th Century. 

   His success was driven by his approaches to ensure authentication to each image he produced, forcing the personality from the subject themselves, creating this idea of projection of self immortality. Non of his images were based

around flattering the subject, but non were to be cruel and give misconceptions, however, this showed the celebrities as equals.

Q6. What is Pictorialism?

   Pictorialism has been described as the serious side of photography,depicting mean

 and moody images, which were occasionally magnificent.

   This was the beginning of the introduction of photography into the category of the Fine Arts,

 creating a more narrowing perspective of the medium, 

imitating other forms of arts and crafts movements, creating a fictional and dream

 like state of mind through the content within the medium of photography.