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.