Artist Lecture: Spencer Finch

To me, Spencer Finch creates work that is heavily based in a combination of scientific elements, technical savvy, and color infusion. His work involves quite a bit of color exploration and measurement, focusing a lot on changing the color that the sun shines through windows to depict a different color or time period. For example, he created one piece recently by measuring the light that the moon gives off, outside a building, and with the use of layering color filters in window panes, changes the light given off by the sun in the daytime inside of the building to the same measurement of the night sky.

His work really forced and challenged me to look much more into color related to my own work. His work seemed to show me how important color and light can change an art piece. Before going to this artist lecture, i found myself focusing much more on concept in my own pieces, without taking into consideration the color and light inside of the photograph, other than exposure. Afterwards, though, i can see that i should pay more attention to color and light in my own work to emphasize the concept, instead of being oblivious.

Another piece of Spencer's that i found to be very influential and somewhat related to my own work was a piece he constructed out of studio lighting gels. My artwork is partially about this internal struggle for identity between two differing and opposite identities. This piece of Spencer's really depicts what i feel inside of me constantly; this sort of explosive and violently raging 'thing', probably an identity. He captures what i feel might be an 'identity' in its violent and explosive nature, as if being confronted by an opposing identity. This piece really stands out to me, and has helped me think of expanding much more of my work into a physical construction rather than photography.




http://www.spencerfinch.com/project.php?project=moonlight

http://www.spencerfinch.com/project.php?project=sunlight_in_an_empty_room

Idea Blog: Dual identity Construction

Dual identity construction is a phrase that i came along in the book Ideology, Identity, and Assumptions written by Howard Dodson. After reading and meditating what this phrase could possibly mean, i came up with a concept of physical construction that i could 'build' that possibly represents the two different sides of me that i struggle with. For example, i used a ladder, and i discussed to Jeff what i meant. My ideas of constructing a ladder, half made from materials that would seem natural to Kenya, representing that part of my identity, and then, the other half representing the 'developed world' idea, with their advanced technology. With the two halves i would assemble them together, then try and use its function to accomplish some sort of goal. The reason why i used the ladder example, is because i thought of its function, and how it relies on complete faith by the user that it will support its weight, and function as supposed to. With the physical construction i would build, i would try and use its function, but would feel that it would not work, giving light to my struggle within, and between the two.
I started searching the internet for this idea of dual identity construction, and came up with a few interesting photographs. These photographs just give me ideas of where i can travel. I like the idea of the sign and how it gives direction to people of where to go, but is in the perspective of two different opposing thought processes. I really like the sound of that. I can even use the sign in my photographs. The other artpiece reinforces my thoughts of my dual identity, and looking at both sides in the same piece, which i intend to do. I am thinking of combining a physical structure with my photography pieces that i discussed in my last post, but for now, i will work on both as individual pieces.

Ed van der Elsken

This work is done by a man named Ed van der Elsken, a Dutch photographer, born in Amsterdam in 1925. After completing his studies in art in his home town, he became a freelance photographer in Paris, and eventually got a job working as a newspaper correspondent. His work originally focused on black and white prints, and considered preserving the atmosphere and emotions of the moment, and in natural lighting conditions. After exploring color photography, he started publishing photography books as well as written books on his work and his thoughts. He eventually died in 1990 in Edam, Amsterdam at the age of 65.
I found out about Ed van der Elsken through a book called 20th Century Photography , created by TASCHEN. His work reminds me of other ways to focus on identifying differences between people and situations. Through some of his photographs such as these shown in the post, one person in the photograph has a focus ring of a brighter exposure around their head, as if these people are different or need to stand out and be recognized. I could not find a better picture than the above, however, you can see what i mean by the man walking in front of the bench, and the ring of light around the persons head. The below is a similar situation, except created a little more naturally, and i like both ways. These photographs give me more interest as well as creativity as to how i can possibly show differences between me and other people in the photographs i will be focusing on in the next 2 weeks.

http://janjelle.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/2008/11/27/ed1.jpg
http://bahai-library.com/personal/huia/kassel97/kasvane.jpg