nikitagypsyrose

[nikitagypsyrose]

Week Three

Final Theme Development For me this project started off as an observation of how different classes are portrayed through photographs, but as I began to take photos it became sort of a self reflection and a representation of my own state of living. The visual narrative shows middle-class-student who doesn’t have a lot of spare time and is just trying to figure things out.

Final Images

[nikitagypsyrose]

Week Two

Classism Through Minimalism

Minimalism is described as an intentional lack of decoration or adornment in style or design, although it is most frequently connected with aesthetics, it is also considered to be a way of life. It is based on the principle that less is more and that by freeing your home, you can also free your mind and spirit. However, this approach also involves replacing items that don't complement the aesthetic with more simple alternatives. This "less is more" philosophy is deceptive because it requires a lot of time, money, and effort to change your home to suit a style. It’s all very well getting rid of all your possessions if you can afford to buy them again any time you want. Minimalism is a privilege of the wealthy because being wealthy gives you freedom of choice.

Artist Models

This week my choice for artist models were based off of the connection to my theme, rather than aesthetic properties.

Sophie Calle

Through searching for research material I found a book titled ‘Appointment with Sigmund Freud, by Sophie Calle, a French writer, photographer, installation artist, and conceptual artist. The book depicts Calle’s 1998 exhibition taking place in Freud’s former home, where she assembled personal objects and related texts, which were juxtaposed with objects from Freud’s personal collection. Calle reveals intimate secrets and gives context to her installation from almost a decade earlier, giving the audience an intimate glimpse into the significance of these seemingly plain artefacts.

What I appreciate about this body of work is how Calle uses a similar environment to compare and contrast Freud's and her possessions to make comparisons between their lives. It demonstrates how our shared experiences and feelings bind us all together. Calle also gives the viewer a sense of validation by revealing not only her memories but also the powerful emotions that went along with them.

Fiona Pardington

Fiona Pardington is an Auckland-born photographer whose images are characterised by their dark atmosphere and depictions of plants and animals. She encourages conversation, questions mortality, and celebrates preservation through her still life photographs. Pardington is an artist that I am drawn to year after year. Unlike the other artist models I have chosen to look at, Pardington narrates her stories ominously, with her use of dark scenes and morbid relics.

Tracey Emin

British artist Tracey Emin is well-known for her autobiographical and candid works. Emin creates artwork in a range of media, including sewing appliqué, neon text, cinema, photography, painting, and sculpture. Emin's installation from 1998, named "My Bed," provided a window into the then-35-year-life old's following a devastating relationship breakup. Used condoms, cigarette butts, and empty vodka bottles were incorporated in the piece, which was a replica of the artist's bed at the time.

Many strong emotions were evoked in viewers by this installation; some loved it and some loathed it. This could be due to the fact that it recreates a very relatable experience that almost everyone has gone through at some point in their lives.

Test Images

References

Calle, S. (2005). Appointment with Sigmund Freud. Thames and Hudson.

Cavalhieri, K. E., Chwalisz, K. (2020). Development and Initial Validation of the Perceived Classism Experiences Scale. The Counseling Psychologist, 48(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019899395

Griffin, D. (2008). How Photography Connects us [TedEd Video]. TedEd. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-photography-connects-us-david-griffin

Hurell, J. (2019). Fiona Pardington. Ocula. https://ocula.com/artists/fiona-pardington/

Rea, N. (2017). ‘Turner Was a Really Raunchy Man’: Tracey Emin on Why Her Infamous ‘My Bed’ Is Really Like a J.M.W. Turner Painting. ArtNet. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tracey-emin-bed-margate-1115603

Stanton, A. (2022). Why Minimalism is a Privilege Reserved for the Wealthy. Matter. https://www.matterprints.com/journal/guide/why-minimalism-is-a-privilege-reserved-for-the-wealthy/

Tantawy, F. The Privilege of Minimalism. Radical Contemporary. https://radicalcontemporary.com/the-privilege-of-minimalism

Images

Sophie Calle. (1998). The Cup [Table setting with a cup]. Thames and Hudson.

Sophie Calle. (1998). The Wedding Photograph with Greg next to Freud’s Wedding Photograph [Table setting with wedding photographs]. Thames and Hudson.

Fiona Pardington. (2014). Ophelia, Captain Cook Teacup and Yarrow Floret [Still life with cat]. ArtNet. https://www.artnet.com/artists/fiona-pardington/ophelia-captain-cook-teacup-and-yarrow-floret-2xJuiclxPe6dLd6FrvwBcQ2

Fiona Pardington. (2021). The Fool [Still life composition]. Ocula. https://ocula.com/art-galleries/starkwhite/artworks/fiona-pardington/the-fool/

Stephen White. (2018). Tracey Emin at her exhibition "Tracey Emin ‘My Bed’” [Tracey Emin at her ‘My Bed’ exhibition]. ArtNet. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tracey-emin-bed-margate-1115603

Naomi Rea. (2017). Detail of Tracey Emin, My Bed [Close up look at exhibition]. ArtNet. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tracey-emin-bed-margate-1115603

[nikitagypsyrose]

Special Topic

Week One

Concept Brainstorm

Through mind mapping and discussing with my group I formed a rough concept which was a photographic series on classism in the Baroque art style. Next I wanted to familiarise myself with Baroque, so I began my research there.

Into to Baroque

Baroque is an art and architecture movement which dominated more than two centuries in Europe, Latin America, and beyond. The style, taking place between the 16th to 18th centuries, following the Renaissance, grew out of Catholic reformation. Baroque inspiration includes seeking to engage the human passion; “from the mystical and ecstatic to the violent and erotic.” (Bailey, 2012). The recurring features of the style involve grandeur and a return to realism after the idealistic images from the Renaissance. Here are some of the key differences between Baroque and Renaissance in art and diagrams for examples.

Brainstorming Continuation - key words

My research interests include the divide between classes and covert forms of classism. I want to use documentary photography as a way to investigate this concept. This series may focus on domestic and family themes and examine the home and things one considers valuables. Through exploring one’s belongings you gain a level of intimacy and an understanding of their experiences. In order to convey the grandeur of this story, I want to use the baroque style of art.

Artist Models I started my artist model research on Magnum Photography by searching for documentary still life images. This week I focused on drawing links between these images and Baroque art to help me understand it better and to show me how I can incorporate it into my own work. Here are some artists that I found.

Max Pinckers I found two series by magnum photographer Max Pinckers which I found interesting. Firstly, Will They Sing Like Raindrops or Leave me Thirsty, depicts aspects of love and marriage from Pinckers four month trip to India. I chose two images from the series that I felt resonated with either my concept or Baroque.

The next series from Pinckers that spoke to me, titled Lotus, was a collaboration with the photographer Quentin De Bruyn. The team intended to document the world of transsexuals in Thailand. In this series the photographer is meant as a “fly on the wall,” capturing aspects of the gender crisis that is faced by the subjects.

Bieke Depoorter From photographer Bieke Depoorter I resinated with a series from her works which aligns with my theme: Bieke Depoorter’s journey across Russia for her project ‘Ou Menya.’ She’s captures intimate images of strangers’ homes as she traveled through forgotten villages asking locals for a place to sleep, changing each night. “For three periods of one month, I have let the Trans-Siberian train guide me alongside forgotten villages, from living roomto living room. Some Russian words, scribbled on a little piece of paper, allowed me to be welcomed and absorbed in the warm chaos of a family. Accidental encounters led me to the places where I could sleep. The living room, the epicenter of their life, establishes an intimate contact between the Russian inhabitants. For a brief moment, I was part of this. Their couch became my bed for one night.”

References

Bailey, G. A. (2012). Baroque & Rococo. Phaidon Press.

Magnum Photos. (2022). Bieke Depoorter’s Journey Across Russia. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/bieke-depoorter-ou-menya/

Magnum Photos. (2011). Lotus. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/art/max-pinckers-lotus/

Magnum Photos. (2014). Will they Sing like Raindrops or Leave me Thirsty. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/art/max-pinckers-will-they-sing-like-raindrops-or-leave-me-thirsty/

Zucker, S., Harris, B. (2016, May 10). How to Recognise Baroque Art [YouTube Video]. Smart History.

Images

Artemisia Gentileschi. (1620-1621). Judith and Holofernes [Man being beheaded]. Google Arts and Culture.

Leonardo De Vinci. (1489). Lady with an Ermine [Lady with an Ermine]. Google Arts and Culture.

Max Pinckers. (2014). Will They Sing Like Raindrops or Leave Me Thirsty [Spilled glass of milk]. Magnum Photos. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/art/max-pinckers-will-they-sing-like-raindrops-or-leave-me-thirsty/

Max Pinckers. (2011). Will They Sing Like Raindrops or Leave Me Thirsty [Stack of ice cubes]. Magnum Photos. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/art/max-pinckers-will-they-sing-like-raindrops-or-leave-me-thirsty/

Max Pinckers. (2011). Lotus [Still-life image]. Magnum Photos. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/art/max-pinckers-lotus/

Max Pinckers. (2011). Lotus [Man sitting alone in apartment]. Magnum Photos. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/art/max-pinckers-lotus/

Bieke Depoorter. (2009). Ou Menya [Man lying on bed]. Magnum Photos. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/bieke-depoorter-ou-menya/

Bieke Depoorter. (2009). Ou Menya [Woman standing in front of mirror]. Magnum Photos. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/bieke-depoorter-ou-menya/

Bieke Depoorter. (2009). Ou Menya [Family at dinner table]. Magnum Photos. https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/bieke-depoorter-ou-menya/

[nikitagypsyrose]

WEEK ONE

My name is Nikita Wood, and I'm a documentary and still life photographer based in New Zealand. I specialise in contemporary landscape photography and use a political/cultural storytelling approach to introduce fresh experiences and perspectives to my audience.