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Artist/book research #8

“Black: A Celebration of a Culture” is a photo book curated by celebrated black photographer Deborah Willis, publish in 2004. She is also a historian of photography, a University Professor and Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and a member of the NAACP since 2014 for her work in 2014 and 2015 about the documented history of emancipation and slavery of Black people. This book is no different, as it takes the viewers through the early history of photography to the creation of hip hop, with sections dedicated to the regularness of daily life and culture. The photos capture the essence of Black culture including its many woes but also joy, determination, identity and spirituality. The images are comprised of many subjects and were shot in different ways such as family down time, portraiture, religious ceremonies and artistic freedom that showcase the diversity of Black culture. The book opens up with an introduction about the evolution of Black culture, how Willis herself remembered a time when black neighborhood weren’t referred to as the ghetto or before affirmative action. That overtime, much has changed and that book is set to prove that Black people are no different from anyone else, never was, but had to be and what came out of it was something beautiful and to be celebrated. As mentioned before, the book is divided into sections with Children being the first and the photos in that section really capture the idea of innocence and wonder. The pictures themselves may not be professionally taken but they’re candid which is the point, it shows the early days of just capturing whatever was around you as the memory of it was the most important thing. The next section, Everyday Life, shows the comings and going of black individuals spanning from the 1800s to the 2000s. The quality of the pictures definitely improved in some as the overall black and white look doesn’t take take away from the photo itself. The other sections like Sports, Art, Beauty, etc are represented in a way that highlights the normality of Black Culture. People go to school, work, play sports or have family outings which aren’t unique experiences but with the provided historical context, those experiences are looked at differently. I liked that some of photos had context given to them, especially the ones that were very old. It’s one thing to read about black culture or watch a documentary about it but it’s another when it’s just shows the normality of the lives those people lived. While they were living through tumultuous time periods and critical movements, away from that they were living just like any average person was. 

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Artist/Book Research #7

“Big Pictures: A Book of Photographs” is a series created by photographer Matthew Rolston and was published in 1991. The book features 75 photographs of Rolston’s best work in fashion and celebrity photography, featuring idols such as Micheal Jackson, Madonna, Jodie Foster, and many more. The series showcased a blend of colored photographs and some in black and white, emulating the film-like glamour that Rolston is known for. The book opens up with a long introduction from Tim Burton discussing his love for filmmaking and cinematography which is fitting as Rolston has a background in filmmaking and directorial work. Such short films include The Most Beautiful Woman in the World (2011), Whatta Man (1994) and Foolish Games (1997). With that being said, his photography had a cinematic aesthetic with manicured lighting and dramatic compositions. There are photos in the book that emulate the grandness that is Hollywood, vintage and modern, by displaying it in a surreal manner. One thing that I thought was interesting was that some of the subjects had patterns or lines on their bodies made by the lighting which added a lot of abstraction and interest to the photo since some were captured in negative space. As mentioned before, the book puts high emphasis on the depiction of celebrities in media and television by making them appear ethereal or unattainable in terms of status. There was an image of Micheal Jackson sitting on a decadent throne wearing a crown which seemed to be an interesting nod to him being known as the “king of pop”. Interestingly, Rolston was the last person to ever get a sitting picture of Micheal before he passed years later. All in all, the very name of the book is fitting for the content inside it as it shows how big celebrities are and that their status tends to get dramatized, even if it’s somewhat accurate. I liked that he made the photos truly feel like they were stills taken from a film or music video, which really gives it that Hollywood feel.

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Artist/book research #6

“Beautiful” is a nude based series created by the Haitian American photographer Marc Baptiste which gives a full, unapologetic introspective in and around the female body. Created in 2003, the book aimed to take out the usual sexuall explicit theme assigned with nude depiction of women and instead turned it into a graceful display of sensuality in a minimalist environment which allowed for the poses to tell an emotional narrative. There’s an excerpt from one of the models photographed by Marc who explains her experience being a woman and model who had to pose nude frequently. She gives insight into the Americanized perception of purity, modesty and what it means to be a woman who “values herself”. At some point she realized that she shouldn’t take herself seriously and that her body was merely the canvas that clothes or makeup were adorned on. That at some point, she stopped worrying about the innate fear of being not only photographed nude but by a man which always indicates a sexual meaning. Baptiste has a skillful way of implementing light and shadow which elevates the curves and creates dramatic depth. There’s also a bit of negative space as well in some that doesn’t make the photograph feel empty or lose its meaning. The subjects used are all women of color which seemed to be the aim for this book which adds another layer of depth to the photos. They’re also done mostly in black and white which better highlights the lighting used but also softens the perceived gratuity in my opinion. His work as a fashion and portrait photographer allows him to capture the rawness of the human body and emotions which is central in this book, as it's not meant to shy away from that. I think the pictures were tastefully done and not in any way demeaning. It also poses an interesting juxtaposition such in the case of what one may think about their own body and what it may say about you and your own comfort ability to possibly be captured in such a way, even in a graceful manner. 

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Artist/book research #5

The photo book titled “Cindy Sherman’s Retrospective” was created in 1997 by Thames and Hudson which showcases the comprehensive career of American photographer Cindy Sherman. The book has over 200 images, some in black and white, that catalogues Sherman’s career. From her early  series “Untitled Film Stills” in the late 1970s to her later works like “Centerfolds”, “Disasters”, “Fairy”, “Fashion”, “Tales” and “History Portraits”. Each series displays Sherman’s approach to her photography, which is using herself as the subject and employing different costumes and makeup techniques to challenge the stereotypes placed on female identity. The first half of the book is inundated with essays from various art critics analyzing Sherman’s works which then kicks off to her untitled series first. It also includes sections from her own notebooks and Polaroid studies which gives the viewer an inside look into her process and mind. Interestingly, the near end of the book is a lot darker in its imagery such as showing blood, the idea of sexual objects and nudity which is sometimes combined to create a graphic amalgamation. One of her entries explains the violent misogynistic approach of these images and that women in whatever roles they play such as wives, girlfriends etc. are reduced to just that when they were often much more. She seemed to also battle with the political correctness of the idea, feeling it was overplayed or if whatever she did would add to the problem/resolution. That in and of itself speaks to how Sherman composes her work as she’s not a traditional portrait photographer and that instead she uses her body to convey tropes and archetypes seen in media or history. In one photo she’s wearing a traditionally feminine outfit with nice makeup and in the next she’s disheveled or dressed more masculine. Her career as a whole is centered around feminist art especially and that instead of photographing herself open one way, she photographs herself to capture the entirety of the female experience. 

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Artist/book research #4

“Hotel LaChapelle” is a bright and bold photo book series created by renowned photographer David LaChapelle in 1999. Although published in 1999, it was created over a series of years starting in 1996 that showcases David’s style which features a blend of surrealism, pop culture, sexuality and elaborate compositions. The book starts off with the photos and ends with his overview of why he created the book which I think is important as he emphasizes that there wasn’t too much direction going into his process outside of what was needed to capture the photos. The photos are styled like a fever dream crammed into a hotel room with each “room” displaying a specific desire or narrative that combines sexuality, celebrity and symbolism. It is oftentimes bold but also vulgar in a way that’s meant to laugh at the absurdity of it while creating ease at the more sensual parts of human culture. The hotel theme was very integral to the overall composition of the photos as David himself said that he feels more at home in hotel rooms and has even stylized his own room to feel that way. That the aesthetic of being at a fancy and colorful hotel is often associated with debauchery and intrigue which is displayed almost tastefully in the book. The themes presented include an exaggerated, larger-than-life portrayal of idolatry culture as the book features celebrities like David Bowie, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Lil’ Kim. It also features the glamorous and dark aspect of materialism as well as there being some twisted, biblical iconography. David himself was born in Connecticut in 1963 where he studied at North Carolina School of Arts where he studied as a painter at first, half painting his negatives to create a spectrum of color before processing the film. When he was seventeen, he moved to New York where he got his first photograph show at Gallery 303 and was hired by famous pop artist Andy Warhol to work at Interview Magazine. He also published a few more books like “Heaven and Hell” and has hosted main exhibitions over his career. I found the images in the book to be very out there but not grotesquely overdone. I liked how expertly the sets were put together which defines how skillfully he’s able to make his over the top style look and not feel too overwhelming. 

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Artist Research #3

Andrea Blanch is an acclaimed American photographer based out of New York who is known for her editorial work, fashion and conceptual imagery. Her work is described as having captured the perfect blend of intimacy, sexuality and refined usage of color and composition. She was born in Brooklyn and raised in Great Neck, New York where she earned her Bachelor of Arts at the Ohio State University. Her knowledge of texture, color and composition comes from her applied skill as a painter which is seen in her photography. Blanch eventually studied under Richard Avedon, a renowned photographer in his own right, who recognized her affinity for these concepts and urged her to continue it throughout her career. Blanca’s professional career began with her work that was featured in places like Elle, the various versions of Vogue and The New York Times to name a few. Hwr portfolio also features collaborations with Gucci, Revlon, and L’Oréal and her skill in portraiture has led to photographs of notable celebrities like Bill Murray, or Glenn Close. In 1999, she published a book titled “Italian Men: Love and Sex,” which highlighted the idea of sensuality being synonymous with Italian men as it featured intimate photos and interviews of a few famous men like Giorgio Armani and Valentino Garavani. After that, she had several other exhibitions like the one at Staley Wise Gallery, New York in 2006 titled “Unexpected Company” and “Sensuous” at La Galerie Basia Embiricos in 2009. The reason I wanted to know more about her was because of the legal challenge she faced with artist Jeff Koons, whom I wrote a paper on for a different class, in 2006 when she alleged that he infringed upon a photographic commission for his piece “Niagara”. Koons won that case which set a precedent for fair use in art. As mentioned before, Blanch is better known for her editorial work as in 2011, she founded Musée Magazine, an online publication dedicated to showcasing both emerging and established photographers. As Editor-in-Chief, she aims to provide a platform that offers exposure to new artists.

Sources:

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Artist/Book research #2

The Kitchen Table Series is a directorial series created by Carrie Mae Weems, a well known black female photographer. The series was published in 1990 which follows Carrie as the main character in a kitchen where the story proposed plays out in a set of photographs. The first half of the book includes excerpts from various people and publications who give their perspectives on how impactful this series is. The photos are all in black and white and the setting takes place in a kitchen, which was considered to be a space fitting for women to do cooking or house chores. Though, none of that is shown in the book but rather the day by day moments that happen, big and small. She twists the idea on its head by displaying the range of human emotions in a confined space. Most of the pictures are almost always accompanied by a poem of sorts that conceptualizes the scene shown that gives greater context to it. The series overall puts a spotlight on the life of black women, especially at that time, which includes their hardships, determination and dedication to family.

Carrie herself is no stranger to highlighting identity and the larger issues that shape our personal lives. Several of her other works are based around the black experience. One such series is titled “Roaming”, where she visits historical monuments dressed in black with her back to the camera which invites others to think about their relationships to such monuments, especially if it relates to your heritage and culture. I found the book to be very interesting and definitely relatable as a black artist as Carrie managed to give greater context to black womanhood by encapsulating it in a small setting which from my experience, is fitting.

Sources

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Theme Project: Final

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Artist/Book Research #1

Dreams of Life is a comprehensive collection of the many series of photographs produced by Gregroy Crewdson, a renowned contemporary photographer. The book was published in 1999 in conjunction with an exhibition titled, House Taken Over, hosted by the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, Spain. The book is outlined in both spanish and english, which includes an interview of Crewdson and history of his work. As for the artist himself, Crewdson is an American contemporary artist whose photography blurs the lines between reality and fiction with the theme of surrealistic American suburbia draped over his work. The book itself aims to take a deeper look into Crewdson's methodology and inspiration into how he captures the suspenseful, dreamy look of mid-late 90’s suburban life in America. 

His style seems to largely encompass the aesthetics of the film industry and cinema which includes his carefully manufactured sets, structured lighting and detailed props that all require precise placement to curate a shot. The faraway shots and close up angles he employs mimic the cinematic approaches used in films and Crewdson even references Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind from 1977 as inspiration for his work. As mentioned before, the first half of the book includes different interviews from Crewdson, in Spanish and English, arranged on either side with certain photographs coinciding with what he is referencing. The other half of the book includes photographs from three of his most notable collections in order; Natural Wonder, Hover and Twilight. Upon examining the many series, I really enjoyed the overall aesthetic of the photos. He found a way to find the suspense and mystery of American suburban life which is a theme that is becoming more prevalent in film and media. A lot of his work is very surreal and dreamlike which I liked, finding the beauty in something grotesque like death and rot. I tend to gravitate towards surrealism and darker themes, so I may try to create scenes like that for my own photography.

G. Crewdson, Untitled, 1993

G. Crewdson, Untitled, 1991-1997

References

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Theme Project Proposal

My theme project will be centered around the life cycle of a citrus fruit, or rather how it goes from a simple fruit on a tree to how it becomes ingrained in everything we use and/or consume. The project will showcase several stages of its life cycle; from a flower blossoming, to how it gets incorporated in our daily life, from its last stage of decay or no longer being of use. I chose this theme in particular because I enjoy quite a lot of citrus based things, from tangerines, orange juice and even lemon scented soap. I also have a lemon tree in my backyard which was the first time I ever had a lone fruit tree in my backyard and had full access to. Over the years, I watched the tree go through many stages and experienced many different things such as hummingbirds building a nest in the branches and even the cross pollination of the neighbors orange tree with ours. Overall, the tree has become a regular topic of discussion in my family as we've learned how to use it as much as possible, even to the point where it couldn't serve its purpose.

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Design and Light Scavenger Hunt

1. Slideshow

2. Image of my Zine

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My List of the Elements of Design

Line: an element of art defined by a point moving in space. Light may be two or three dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract

Form: an element of art that is two three dimensional and encloses volume; height, width and depth. Form may also free flowing

Color: An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity.

Texture: An element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched

Rhythm: A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

Balance: A way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical.

Emphasis (Contrast): A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements.

Movement: A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.

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Blog post #2: Weekend Photo Story

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Hi everyone, my name is Devyn Holt and I am an animation major currently in my third year at Fresno State. I like to illustrate more than create animations and hope to become more efficient in character design, illustration and writing. I have been drawing my whole life but I started my digital journey back in late August of 2017. As for photography, my only experience with it was a class I’d taken in high school but I’ve been surrounded by the profession my whole life via my dad. I also like a lot of crime fiction shows (Blue Bloods, Law and Order, etc) old and new and just shows that came out before I was born or just haven’t seen but heard of before (Supernatural, Revenge, Once Upon A Time, etc).

I want to use the opportunity I have in this course to to connect with others especially in the case of photo editing and the knowledge it takes to do it since it can be applied in other areas of art.