Sunday, November 29, 2009

Constructs

A series involving readymades and simple constructs. I build a simple monument, document it, then break it apart. While taking the image, I make sure to include the physical space the construct is in. By doing this, I not only document the construct I've made, but also give the objects a sense of time and place. I still have more to shoot, any suggestions on anything? Shot with a Pentax Asahi 6x7 with Fuji 160c

8 comments:

Tyler Miller said...

always an interesting idea, but out of curiosity is this a purely aesthetic thing for you, or are you trying to create a deeper meaning with this series?

I am a fan of both, and just wondering.

Camden Hardy said...

These images bear a striking resemblance to Adam's work from last year.

I can't help but wonder why you're going through the trouble of arranging these objects into "constructs". What is it about the process that appeals to you? Why not just photograph them where you find them?

You may also want to be careful about using the term "readymades". Readymades, almost by (Man Ray's) definition, are not to be constructed. They are what they are and don't need other objects or spaces for validation.

Ian Cavanaugh said...
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Ian Cavanaugh said...

i think i have to side with camden. What are these constructs saying about the objects they are made of. is there more behind it than putting these objects in out of place locations. they look good but why are were they constructed in the first place. read Adams artist statement about his. it might help you find direction with this project.

John Schlepp said...

Lately I have been fascinated with the idea of the photograph as a document. With this project I am building these simple constructs specifically for the photo, Document them, then breaking them apart with the intention to never re-build them. I choose to shoot them in an environment that i have manipulated (either cleaned up or cleared out completely) to add to the idea of documenting a specific moment in time, a moment that has past and will never be repeated. I choose the locations for the images because they are in areas that are actually lived in, so they don't stay cleared out or clean for long.

I am familiar with Adam's images, but to me his images are more about documenting the construct he has made that happen to be in his apartment. As i have continued to shoot for this project, I've been focusing more on documenting a moment in time that I have constructed. The structure itself becomes more of a monument to this idea of a specific time that has passed.

I was throwing around the idea of making the constructs more complicated, but as i realized I enjoyed the idea of documenting that single moment of time that no one could recreate, I decided to almost thumb my nose at people by making the constructs as simple as possible.

John Schlepp said...

I have been trying to find Adam's artist statement, but i can't. for all i know we could be doing the same thing, i just make the constructs a lot more simple. Can someone hook me up with a link or something?

Ian Cavanaugh said...

so i just looked at his sight and i could not find it either. the thing about adam's images are that these are other people's apartments that he enter while the owner is out. he then create his construct, captures the moment and returns the residence to its original state. This is to ensure that owner is unaware of what was done until shown the image.

BrittanyNelson said...

John, I think this work is directly referencing a lot of ideas you are not addressing. I would research Bricolage, Assemblage, and DIY sculpture before you continue.
I would also be careful because this is extremely similar to Adam's work, and he is executing it in a much more coherent manner.