Blog Eleven

Chris Jordan, Steel Shred, Tacoma 2004, from the series Intolerable Beauty: Portrait of American Mass Consumption, 44x58in.

http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/intolerable/#steel%20shred%2044x58

First I'm going to consider this photograph as conceptual art.  The concept of this piece and of the series it is a part of can easily be discovered by simply reading the title.  This piece is a portrait of American mass consumption.  The concept is reinforced by the size of the print.  This photograph is nearly 4x5 feet.  The large size is meant to make the viewer realize the huge size of the subject.  The placement of the mangled wheelbarrow at the extreme bottom of the page also gives a reference point to realize the size of the pile of steel.  The fact that the viewer can see even the small details in the photograph, mostly because of it's large size, helps to make the image more real.  This photograph functions in contemporary culture as a reminder of the American life style. 

Second I'll consider this photograph from a documentary perspective.  The photograph is meant to expose the American culture as a disposable society.  It draws attention to a side of our society that most people don't see.  Similar to the perspective above, the photograph functions in contemporary society as a portrait of the wasteful American.  It could be used to raise awareness for the needless mass consumption of this country, or simply to provide a view into the darker side of the American culture.  Either way, it is a document of a life style.

Thirdly I'll look at this photograph from the perspective of identity.  This photograph is the identity of the American people.  It is proof of our wasteful society where everything is disposable.  Even thought this photo is meant to represent only one culture, other cultures can keep it in mind when considering the identity of their own people. 

Images of My Own:

 I like this picture because of the linear perspective.  I like that it feels like the image can go on and on and on, much past where the cement pillars end.

I chose this image because it can be a narrative.  It feels like a mysterious someone just walked right out of the ocean and onto the beach.  But the only thing we know about them is the details of their footprint, they left no other evidence.

I chose this image because of the contrasting color.  Having red and green, two colors that are exactly opposite each other on the color wheel, the majority of the color in the image makes for an interesting balance.  

Blog Ten

I chose this image because I think it has an interesting perspective.  Seeing this place from above makes it seem so much less monumental than it would be when viewed from the ground.  I also like the reflections in the water.

This image appeals to me because of it's simplicity.  I enjoy macro images with solid black backgrounds, it brings the focus more onto the subject without distraction.  I also like the form of the flower and the combination of warm and cool colors.

I chose this image because it captured a unique moment I experienced.  It is a picture of a dense fog bank that obscured my view of the entire city on my way to school.  This simple weather phenomenon changed my entire perspective of my surroundings.  I also feel like the motion blur conveys the fact that the landscape remained changed only for a short time. The fog quickly burned off and my surroundings appeared normal again.

Blog Nine

I chose this image because I like the glowing color of the inside of the pumpkins.  I also like the reflection on the table. 

I chose this image because I like that the sun is included in the composition.  I also like that the leaves almost appear as a silhouette, but there is still a small amount of color that comes through. 

I like this image because it represents one of my favorite times of the year.  I love the colors of the fall and how everything seems so warm and inviting.

Blog Eight

Robert Mapplethorpe, Lisa Lyon, 1980

http://www.mapplethorpe.org/portfolios/female-nudes/?i=4

Orlan, etude documentaire: le drape le baroque, 1979-80

http://www.orlan.net/works/photo/#

These two images are similar because they both objectify the body.  In both cases the way the body is portrayed suggests that it is intended to be looked at.  Both women have some part of their body covered or hidden.  While parts of it are blatantly exposed.  This places more importance and emphasis on the exposed parts.  It's like the exposed skin is screaming 'look at me!'.  Both of these images could be considered voyeuristic because of the parts of the women that are exposed and meant for the viewer to see.  Orlan's image is different from Mapplethorpe's though because the woman in Orlan's photo is meant to be portraying someone else (the Madonna), while the woman in Mapplethorpe's photo is portraying herself.  Even though the woman in Orlan's photo is supposed to be someone else, the inclusion of her face suggests a stronger sense of identity than the woman in Mapplethorpe's photo who's face and head is hidden so it feels like her body is the only important thing, not her identity.

Images of My Own:

I chose this image because of the motion blur.  It really feels like the photo captured a fleeting moment in time.

I like this image because the advertising is so creative.  This is something unusual that captures the attention of people passing by and causes them to remember this restaurant.

I chose this image because I'm fascinated with photos that represent multiple moments in time.  I like the streaks of the stars and the color of the sky caused by the city lights.

Blog Seven

Roe Ethridge, Old Fruit, 2010

I chose this image because I find it very interesting that the photographer chose to preserve something so revolting in such a beautiful manner.

http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2010/newphotography/roe-ethridge/old-fruit/

Zeke Berman, Interior, 1982, 16x20in.

I chose this image because I like the nostalgia that it evokes.  Even though the subjects seem very staged and the photograph was taken very deliberately, it still feels like it's preserving a memory or some specific place in time.

http://zekeb.com/galleries/1980-1984/1980-1984.shtml

Both of these images are still lives.  Ethridge's image, technically speaking, follows more of a traditional layout of a still life.  The subject matter however, is a little unconventional, usually something not dead or rotting is included.  Berman's image is not set up quite as traditionally as Ethridge's.  It could be considered a contemporary still life.  But like Ethridge's,  the items included seem to be there very purposefully, like they are meant to convey something specific. 

Images of My Own:

I chose this image for its simplicity.  I like how there isn't much in the photo, but the little there is, can be pretty powerful.  A lot of symbolism can be drawn from a window that is included in a photograph.

I chose this image mostly for the color.  I love photos with saturated, vibrant colors.  I also like that the pumpkins fill the entire frame, leaving room for nothing else.

I chose this photo because of its extreme perspective.  I think the use of perspective can add interest to something that may otherwise be boring.  I also like the contrast of the vibrant blue sky with the muted colors of the worn wood and corn stalks.

Blog Six

Ryan Mc Ginley, Night Sky (Green), 2009

This image relates to some of my work because I'm interested in night photography.  I enjoy taking photos of rural and urban landscapes at night.  I especially enjoy including the stars in my night images.

http://ryanmcginley.com/

Anthony Goicolea, Cliffside, 2002

I chose this images because I mostly enjoy photographing landscapes.  Especially rural landscapes that do not have any people in them.  This image feels lonely with the abandoned staircase, and my images often seem lonely or abandoned.

http://www.anthonygoicolea.com/NewAnthonySite/pages/landscapesmain.html

Carl Freedman, Night Flower No. 10, 2004

This images relates to my work again through subject matter.  I enjoy photographing flowers and I think that picturing them on a solid black background makes them really stand out and is something I tend to repeat in my work.

http://www.carlfreedmangallery.com/content/view/21/33/1/2/

Blog Five

Jeanne Liotta, Still from Eclipse, 2005

http://www.whitney.org/www/2006biennial/artists.php?artist=Liotta_Jeanne#

Billy Sullivan

http://www.whitney.org/www/2006biennial/artists.php?artist=Sullivan_Billy

Amy Blakemore, Jill in Woods, 2005

http://www.whitney.org/www/2006biennial/artists.php?artist=Blakemore_Amy


These three artist's work are all ephemeral images or use ephemeral materials that represent a fleeting moment in time.  They are about capturing a specific moment in time and preserving something that would otherwise pass unnoticed and be forgotten.

Images of My Own:

I selected this image because I thought the sign was so funny.  It is a sign for an art gallery in Leadville. 

I chose this image mostly because of the color.  I like the repetition of the similar buildings with the bold, bright colors.

Add caption

I like this image because it points out something out of the ordinary.  Usually it's someone's name or hand prints preserved in cement.  But these dog prints took me by surprise and it called for a picture!