artist book summary

I designed the book to demonstrate collective memory while exploring how prions contribute to memory recollection.  The book consists of a center image of a prion with nine panels branching out of the center.  The display of the prion image in the center with the panels branching out represents the idea of a central nervous system with dendrites branching out from the brain.  Each panel displays a different image representative of collective memory.  I selected images of collective memories such as Olympics opening ceremonies, graduations, birthdays, weddings, social traditions, and experiencing nature’s beauty.  I decided to focus on the celebratory aspect of collective memory with less of a focus on death and destruction.    

With each panel there is an accompanying folded version of the panel’s image.  The folded image encourages the viewer to think about how much of the original memory is lost while they try to unfold and shape the paper into a recognizable form.  How does memory change over time as we try to recall it?  How much is missing from the original memory? The panels display the most complete and whole version of the original image, however the original image has been altered by the size of the panels.  Therefore, there are no original images displayed.  The lack of original images demonstrates how often memory is altered as soon as we try to remember it.  There are varying degrees of alteration, with the original image cut to fit the panel and then the panel image cut and folded into a three dimensional object.

Prions, or infectious proteins, have been shown to play a role in long term memory. Prions infect other proteins by causing them to misfold.  The foldable images represent prions with the ability to be folded correctly or incorrectly by the viewer.  The viewer’s interactions with the “prion” will determine the correct or incorrect memory.

Capturing the Friedmans

I think one of the reasons why this documentary was so unsettling was because it did not have any definite answers.  We never find out whose version of the story is correct.  It was also upsetting because I believed that Jesse and the father were wrongly convicted and victims of the hysteria surrounding child abuse. I thought the father was guilty of some crimes but not what he was sentenced to prison for.  The complete failure of the criminal investigation and interrogation was frustrating.  It demonstrated the importance of research in the field of child memory and how impressionable they can be. It was striking to see the two scenes where one police officer described the correct method of child interrogation then another officer described the complete opposite method where the child must be led answer the questions.  Hopefully with a more accurate understanding of eyewitness testimonies less of these cases will occur and less lives will be ruined.

artist book progress

So I finished (mostly) a mock up of my book backbone as I call it. Each of the flaps will have a printed image on the inside with the folded image tucked in there some how (I am still figuring that part out).  The outside image is of a prion where each flap has a section of the image.  The unaltered image of the prion will be in the middle printed on the nonagon. I am thinking of putting the artist statement on the back of the nonagon. I will sew the flaps on to the main nonagon.  The flaps have to folded down in a specific order for the prion image to be correct.

splinters

I found these cool images where the artist distorts the original image by physically cutting and pasting images to alter their affect and appearance.  Although the artist's intent was not to imply memory themes, I can't help of thinking how these altered images could represent how memory changes. Either way these are both funny and creative.  http://www.hifructose.com/the-blog/993-lola-dupre.html

artist book stuff

I am trying to create an interactive experience that will demonstrate the theme of collective memory while incorporating the idea of how prions contribute to effective memory.  I am planning on using collective/shared memories as my source of photos.  Each page of the book will have a picture that is not modified as well as a pouch of some sort that contains a folded version of the image.  The reader/viewer will be encouraged to unfold the image and try to see how the folding image relates to the unaltered image.  Can the image be recognized in its folded form? 
      My reasoning behind this is to demonstrated how memory changes as we remember it and we lose some details and fill them in with what we are currently experiencing.  The folded images will have pieces missing, so it will be as if the folded image represents a memory of the original image.  It is an experiment to see where different folds will lead the viewer to interpret the memory. 
    Prions are infectious proteins that can cause other proteins to become infected.  The process of changing a regular protein to a prion involves a misfolding of the protein.  Prions have been shown to play a role in long term memory.  Will you misfold and become infected?

Here are some works in progress.  I plan to make the folded images at a larger scale and am open to suggestions as to what kind of paper would work for folding and not ripping.  I am also planning on experimenting with various 3D shapes that the folding can create.  Maybe trying an image on both sides of the paper, making it harder to match the original image to the folded image (various degrees of memory loss), or varying the location of the folding outline printed on the image.

Saving History

Frances Densmore recording Blackfoot Chief singing a song (1916) 
This photo caught my eye because of the clashing of the two worlds.  On one side there is "modern" technology and the other a very traditionally dressed Native American.  The two sides of the image are joined by the gramophone projecting into the man's face.  This makes me wonder what he is singing and how she talked him into singing for her.  I love the idea of preserving history by recording stories and folk songs.  When memory fails you can always turn to sound to preserve memory.


I found this cool website of recorded folk music http://www.folkways.si.edu/index.aspx that was started in 1948.

Photo/Memory and Me

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about how I can apply what we have learned in this class to my major (Biology) is what Dr. Queen told us about multitasking and how none of us can do it effectively.  I remembered this when I was reading about community ecology this weekend, (no music was playing).  What also comes to mind is the fact that memory is fallible. So how am I supposed to remember what the island equilibrium model is? (I didn't, I had to look it up.)  Memory is not only fallible but it changes as we try to recollect it. "We reconstruct the past to fit our schematic expectations" (Lilienfeld, Lynn, Ruscio, & Beyerstein, 2010).  Our memories change to fit what is happening in the present, they are shaped by other memories and experiences.  With this concept in mind I realize why it is a good idea for scientists to accurately record their experimental findings.  Without detailed proof of the results, corrupted memory would have to be relied upon.  
       The excerpts from Proust was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer benefited my studies of biology because it introduced the concept of how the brain regulates memory.  I had vague background knowledge of how the brain works but I had never learned the details of how memories can be recalled with prions and CPEB.  It also changed my perception of prions which I had associated with deadly degenerative brain diseases.  Neurology is an important field of study because if we can understand how the brain works we will be able to understand why memory is fallible.

Movie Memory

I was thinking about how memory is depicted in cinema.  In order to distinguish a recollection of memory from every other scene the film is usually somehow altered, made blurry, or shaky (aka flashbacks). I thought this was interesting because this method correlates to the idea that memory is fallible and changes when we try to recollect it.  Why can we accept that recollections in cinema can be altered but our own memories are not fallible?
http://www.phantomladyvintage.com analyzes the use of flashbacks in film noir.

Shared Beauty



Daphnia, water flea



Hydra http://www.isi.edu/robots/self_heal_html/index.htm



Diatom Frustule http://www.astrographics.com/GalleryPrintsIndex/GP2131.html

What is beauty and what form can it take?  Is there a common experience of beauty like a common experience of an event?  Or is beauty in the eye of the beholder and we all experience beauty in different ways?  When I think of a beautiful photo that many can relate to and share common experiences I bring up images of a river stream in the Smokey Mountains, the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls.  These are all scenes of majestic beauty with a natural backgroud.  These are cool and all but can there be a shared beauty experience on a smaller scale?

      I enjoy finding beauty in unexpected places.  We examined a hydra in biology lab a couple of weeks ago and I was amazed by its form and structure.  We spent an hour trying get it to eat a Daphnia (water flea), which is in itself a beautiful creature.  It looks almost birdlike with its "beak" and "wings" I love the light emanating out of it. Diatoms are cool too.  Do others find these images beautiful?

Pic of this Week

Once again its time for pic of the week because I can't think of anything else to blog about.



Ultraviolet Bath, Russia        http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/

This image caught my eye just because of its absurdity.  My first impression was, what are they doing to those kids!  Without the caption I would have been lost.  The children in Russia do not get enough UV light for production of Vitamin D because of the small amount of sunlight, so they get a treatment of UV light.  There are so many elements to this photo.  The UV machine looks out of place with the ornate rug.  I love the contrast of the begoggled children with a picture of a woman (with rosy cheeks) eating what looks like bread.  The UV light gives the entire room an unnatural glow.  I am also drawn to the person who is administrating the treatment.  He or she appears to be checking their watch to make sure they turn off the machine at the right time.

shared memory

When I was thinking of what to focus on for my artist book I was drawn to the idea of shared/collective memory.  When we think of thing that we all remember we tend to focus on the disasters such as 911, Pearl Harbor, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other destructive forces.  We ignore other happier shared experiences.  The first thing that came to my mind of a happy shared experience was the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  I watched the opening ceremony with my family and I just now rewatched it on YouTube.  It was a moment in time which I will cherish.  I wish that more of our shared memories could be moments of magic instead of destruction. 
    We also vividly remember the painful the memories because they are often revisited in the media and culture.  I'm not saying that we should forget the painful memories, rather we should balance them with humor and happieness. This is supposed to be a happy occasion...
.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jO1EOhGkY0&NR=1   (5:48)

Artist Book brainstorm

So far I am thinking of focusing on shared memory.  I might organize the book where one photo that is meaningful to me and then see what branches out from that photo.  The branches could be other images related to that photo or other people's reaction/interpretation of the original photo.  It would be interesting to see how the final image has changed from the original.  Each page would have a different original photo with branches coming out of it.  Maybe I would post an image to be the starting image and then have people react to it verbally and then I would interpret those words with photos.  I might use photos that I take or use the internet's resources.
      To organize the different branches I was thinking of having the original photo on the main page and then have attached paper that can be folded out from the main page.  It would pop out like a string of photos like people keep in their wallets of their family members. 
   I'm also interesting in the idea that repeated memory become almost mythical.  I am thinking of taking a narrative image and then repeating it throughout the book and see how it changes.  It could be an everyday photo of people sitting around and it could change to an epic battle.  Or there could be different versions of the story at the end.

old and new

  My partner at the Mayflower could not make it to last week's meeting, so instead she left me a couple of old photographs (mainly portraits).  Some were in the form of postcards, where the picture of a family member was on the front and a note could be written on the back.  This collection of old photographs seemed like a rare treasure that I was able to view.  I found a collection of Victorian and Edwardian portraits (http://www.rogerco.freeserve.co.uk/ ) and started scrolling through them.  I like this photo of the school children because of their realistic faces.  They are upset that they had to stay sitting for such a long time for the photograph to develop. 

   





 These old fashioned photographs reminded me of a modern artist that I had recently discovered(http://www.travislouie.com/ ).  Travis Louie uses the Victorian portrait model but then  replaces the normal subjects with various monsters.  It is quite enjoyable.

Pic of the Week

Big Cypress Reservation, Florida
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com

     I loved the swirls that the duckweed formed on the top of the water. It is also amazing how much green there is on the cypress trees and in the background. The reflection in the black water of the blue sky is beautiful. Every time I see photos of Florida landscape I feel a sense of familiarity.  I prefer to think of Florida from this perspective instead of Disney land, palm trees, beaches, and sail boats.  This is the true Florida.

Reflections on First Mayflower Visit

The Guggenheim Museum, New York City

I met Emily Bond for the first time at the Mayflower.  We began by showing each other the photographs we brought.  She had brought a picture of her and her husband on their wedding day, two years ago, to show that even the elderly can still live an exciting life after retirement.   After we finished looking at the photos I brought (I thought she enjoyed the pictures of me with my grandparents the most) we began to talk about her past life in New York and England.  We both share an appreciation for the arts and we talked about the wonders of art museums accordingly.  From what I gathered, one of the main reasons she did not want to leave New York City was because of all the wonderful museums. 
        Emily had to leave early so she missed the joint discussion of the famous photographs.  I was surprised that one of the residents had been on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.  It was a rare insight which I appreciated.  I enjoyed the many responses the residents had during the discussion about the kiss on VE Day.  They did not care that the picture had been staged because it still represented the happiness that everyone felt on that day.  I am excited to come back to the Mayflower to get to know Emily better and start working with her to put together her photobook.

Jerry Uelsmann

Apocalypse II

Jerry Uelsmann uses darkroom techniques to create surreal images. No photoshop involved. http://www.uelsmann.com/

Photobook

     I divided my photobook into four main sections.  The first section contains my first experiences as a young child such as my first bike, my first Fox Day,and my first day of kindergarten.  I do not remember any of these events occurring.  I vaguely remember riding my first brand new Gargoyle bike with training wheels.  However, I am trusting what my mother has told me about these photos are true. The first day of kindergarten is such a big deal for parents and all I remember is that I was afraid I would forget my bus number. The kid staring expectantly at the lamb birthday cake is me.  This is actually my second birthday because we could not find a picture of my first. My mom is most likely saying "blow out the candles Alan".   I believe that first experiences can shape the rest of your life.  Even though I do not remember them I am sure that they have impacted me.
      The second section portrays those who are and have been special to me.  Those that I find special say something about myself.  They are all loving people who have played an important role in my life.  On the first page I am being held by both of my grandfathers.  For some reason I have always felt strongly attached to these photos.  I guess it is the combination of seeing what I looked like back then and seeing how happy the people holding me look. The picture of my sister, my grandmother(wearing the parka),and I sitting on the beach in December shows how wacky our family can be.  The picture of my mother wearing her cap and gown during my sister's commencement demonstrates the continued influence of educators in my life.  Both my mom and my dad are teachers.  The last pictures in this section are of my girlfriend and I when we were six and then currently.  It seems that we have become more serious and reflective as we have matured.  I hope that is not true.
       I devoted the third section to my sister.  My sister has been an important part of my life and these pictures are the proof.  We have shared many Fox Days together and seen snow for the first time together.
     The fourth section represents my connection with nature.  My mom was the first to introduce me to nature and convinced me to appreciate it.  I arranged these photos to reflect the interconnectedness of nature.  I combined the Wekiwa river with a stream in the Smokey Mountains and an old growth forest with a glacial lake.  When I see the picture of the pile of maple leaves in my front yard I can still remember the smell of the damp leaves.  My mother's botanist background has influenced my love of plants, especially flowers.  The last page is a reflection on how much I have physically changed over the years and yet I hold the same inner attitudes to be true.  I still have a sweet tooth (my cavities are proof), I try to be a star student, and I continue to wear clothes that do not fit.

Reflections

My first Fox Day (note the large stomach)

Originally when I heard rumors about what this class was about, photographing the elderly and memory?, I was a little confused as to what we would actually be doing.  I also wondered what the community engagement aspect of the class would entail and what we would be doing for four hours.  After the first class I was intrigued by the aspects of psychology that were presented.  The combination of two very different fields was interesting because it is difficult to understand how the two will mesh.  I wasn't thinking of photography as a way to preserve memory.  I think the interactions with the Mayflower residents should be informative and I am looking forward to getting to know them.  If anything, I am nervous about being able to connect with someone that I have never met before and under these somewhat bizarre circumstances.  I am looking forward to learning more about how the brain works in relation to memory and images.  I am nervous about the group presentation because I am not the most outspoken person and have had difficulty in leading discussions in the past.