Phillip DI Lorca

Phillip Di Lorca

(1951)

We discussed this photographer a little bit during one of our lectures. The work which we discussed was taken in 1993, the series of work which shows views of working rent boys in Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles.

What was remarkable about these images is that there Produced and exhibited with a title name as well as an amount it took for the subject to sit for the portraits.

The stark nature of the photographs with vivid lighting and lively colours resemble the likes of film stills, offering you a glimmer into the story line, you are given the starting point, the name and the cost, its then up to you as the viewer to figure out what’s happening.

For example the picture below taken in 1990-92. Phillip Di Lorca is known for his meticulous staging of images, everything from lighting to posture all controlled in advance for a price. As seen in the lower image this Human being cost $20 to sit for Phillip Di Lorca, it shows how cheap life is and that in a time of depression and a overwhelming need to gain money for what ever purpose, that humanity is for sale and is a commodity that people across the world are willing to barter, buy and sell.

Art knowledge, news,  Philip-Lorca diCorcia exhibits key photographic work, from: http://www.artknowledgenews.com/Philip-Lorca_diCorcia.html (accessed 15/05/2011)

Class Debate with a hint of capitalism.

Class Debate with a hint of capitalism.

I think it would be appropriate to end my blogs on the last lecture discussion.

During the debate we were asked the question about whether technology has helped in photography.

The decision was for the movement after hearing all the benefits of it.

My own personal viewpoints of the matter, are along the same lines, through technology people have been able to get to grips and produce photography at a level which only a expert or a very well versed person in photography could have done years ago. 

A idea was brought up about it being more challenging to land a career in the creative sector, my argument to this is why if u can produce a decent photograph and someone can create a outstanding photograph should you be given the job over him/her, the point is competition breeds imagination, to get better and create work which inspires the new age and brings your practice into a whole different level.

The idea that the futurist’s viewpoint is negative, that pushing out with old traditions and replacing them because they are not as quick or not as worthy was brought to the table by the against team. My argument to this is rather simple if its out dated get rid of it, new is always better no matter what the argument. Why use inferior equipment if there’s better available after all you are as good as your equipment.

Capitalism, making gains out of the market because people are constantly trying to keep up with technology could be seen as a down side to this hole futurist theory, but think of it this way without the funding of people purchasing there wares. Or without the need and pressure to invent something better then the competitors, how far down the line would technology be?

Feminism

Feminism

The idea that a women’s worth is not as great as a mans had been smashed against the rocks so many times that the argument is flawed and irrelevant.

Todays biggest CEO’S are majority women.

Feminism first came into the eyes of the art world when women artists/photographers demanded the same respect and exhibition rights as men. Since then the feminine world really hasn’t looked back.

There have been key figures in the fight against feminism and this can’t be summed up any better then the work of the gorilla girls.

A group of female artists who dressed in masks and routinely attacked the way the world thought about women and their work.

This was the type of work that they were famous for, bringing to the forefront the views of women in today’s world.

One artist who has stood out and clearly demonstrated the idea of crossing gender roles and producing work that shows women in jobs, which are stereotypically dominated by men, is Cindy Sherman.

Campaigning for equal rites and recognition on the same level as male artists, one of the ways this has been tackled or approached by Cindy Sherman is to show in her own characteristic style, self portraits wearing various outfits, showing roles which are not normally associated with women such as a bus drivers or male school children. By doing so she has drawn the gaze and attention of thousand to the cause.

http://blogs.artinfo.com/lacmonfire/2011/02/21/guerilla-girl/

(accessed 14/04/2011)

http://www.likeyou.com/en/node/10257 (accessed 14/05/2011)

Postmodernism

Post modernism

To understand post modernism it is necessary to first gain an understanding of modernism. This is defined in simplistic terms by Clement Greenberg in his books. 

Greenberg describes modernism as a purity and work which tackles or brings up serious intellectual issues whilst breaking away from the traditional ideas of art. At the time the works were produced, modernism was becoming more apparent; the idea of it was rejected due to the associated changing of social status that people were breaking with the movement therefore changing the views of reality. 

Characteristics of post-modernism on the other hand, is the belief or thinking that the world we live in has no boundaries, in the sense of reality, that the truth is not always clearly defined or shown but has been created by the viewer or artist; and therefore is a interpretation of it. The idea of post-modernism branches across many different fields of art, from architecture to literature. 

Photographers such as David Hockney and Man Ray are valid examples of post-modernist photographers, creating works which offer a different view point of subjects which have been used repeatedly, such as portraiture and how Man Ray crossed boundaries with the relation of body parts to landscapes.

The design observer book, 2006, Languorous BodyScapes, from: http://observatory.designobserver.com/entry.html?entry=4177 (accessed: 16/04/2011)

Nan Goldin

Nan Goldin

Goldin is a photographer from Washington D.C whose work tackles very sensitive material, which could be considered to be bordering the lines of taboo.

The book, ‘The ballad of sexual dependency’, hit home due to the fact that most of the subjects she portrayed in the photographs and who she gained a personal relationship with were deceased by the end of the 1990’s through drugs or aids.

Her work focuses on the intimate moments of life between various couples, none of which are the stereotypically perfect or conventional partners. Homosexuals and transexuals dominate the pages of her book showing us the viewer a more in depth understanding to the ideas and associations which everyone thought of, which at the time was considered normal.

 This work is from the book Goldin, N, (2003) The devils playground, expresses the delicate manner in which Goldin captures her subjects, she usually  relies on available light, to capture the emotion and atmosphere in its most truthful.

The imagery shows a gay couple, one whose body has been ravaged and destroyed by HIV/AIDS. his condition is expressed through a shadow of his former self so visible by the over sized t-shirt. Dying moments captured on a camera which speak in volumes, intimacy of Goldin work is what instantly draws you in and demands attention from the viewer, I have struggled to compare this level of intimate moments to any other photographers/artist  body of work.

Yvonne De Rosa

Yvonne De Rosa

Rosa is a fine arts photographer, born in Naples 1975. Rosa’s Body of work ‘crazy god’ is one which has inspired and captivated me, along with countless other imagery.

The images are of her previous place of work from the 1990’s, which she revisited to document. The institution which the location she still keeps a secret.

Rosa keeps her place of work hidden from the audience, and forbids them from knowing its location.

Numerous years have passed since the closure of this institute, and she has revisited to document the personal items and treasures left by previous patients. Items which would of held great meaning are left dormant and uncared for sprawled across the floor. Treatments adorn the chalkboards a vivid memory of days which were not so luxurious for the patients. 

The natural beauty caused by the passing of time on this location is documented in such a sensitive way that; were it should be grim, almost touching morbid the sheer beauty of the natural lighting and formations formed by decay and growth of plants which were once kept in a clean and organized manner, almost bursts through the page. This captures the attention of audience and various companies who know compete for here photographic skills. This now freelance photographer who is based in London was awarded the ‘woman international prize in photography’ in 2006.

Fame

Louis Vuitton

The ability to be able to market a brand on the status and fame of a person in todays culture seems to be one of the biggest and most influential ways to make sure the product is in the eyes of  a wide selection of potential buyers. 

This advertisement for Louis Vuitton, taken by Annie Leibovitz, features Keith richard’s from the Rolling Stones. The advert examines a person whose life has been scrutinised and scorned upon for the manner and life style he has lived.  Richard’s is labelled as one of the all time rockers and lady’s man. 

Using a character that has such a stigma and reputation with him to sell a product shows the brand is trying to be on edge and go against conventions of fashion advertising. This type of endorsement would usually be associated with a different area of glamour, fame and celebrities who adorn the cover of glossy magazines and have television shows made about them. 

This type of advertising is trying to entice a whole different niche market to this illustrious brand. It just goes to show you how a reputation and celebrity can sell anything, do you honestly think Keith Richards travels with Louis Vuitton luggage? i highly doubt it. But he has made his money and has no-doubt for filled his end of the agreement, by literally marketing his face and social status.