Final Images -FALLING-

These images are a collection of a narrative I have created. They tell they tell a story.  In order for you to know more about me, you can interpret these images in anyway you like. They enable to use your imagination and decided for yourself. 

Here are my final images. I believe they summarize my whole project and the development of how far I have come. 

Photography Personal Investigation

My Images/ Final Shoot -FALLING-

Here is some images from my last shoot: I have kept in mind all the research and focused a lot on texture and focus as it allowed me to play around with depth of field and experiment. These images I am really proud off and really like the result. I will find it difficult to cancel these down and choose some final images but I feel they will all add a dramatic effect to the audience. 

Sonder -FALLING-

Whilst researching I discovered a definition of something that I really related too. I have always wondered about this emotion and now I have found a definition and a name.

I found the definition here

This definition although does not specifically relate to my work I really feel it could be helpful during my research. 

My project of FALLING I feel is a easily interpreted project. I myself personally love research and as my audience may know from looking through my blog is that the work I produce may have strayed quite far from my original brief or idea. This being said, although my work does move drastically and fast, I feel it opens up a lot of ideas with my work and allows me to explore ideas that may seem quite big but can be split up and explored in more depth. 

My images -FALLING-

Whilst looking at certain parts of my house I kept thinking about the intensity of human beings living and the small aspects of live that we tend to ignore. These images are some I took with inspiration about existence. Although I haven't focused on the artistic aspect of this I looked closely at depth of field and played around with my focusing on the camera. I explored textures,  shapes and focusing which are the smaller details that really help add emphasis on my ideas.

My Images:

Revistied- Rowland Barthes -FALLING-

Rowland Barthes: 

Official title: Chair of Sémiologie Littéraire, Collège de France

"The starting point of these reflections was usually a feeling of impatience at the sight of the "naturalness" with which newspapers, art and common sense constantly dress up a reality which, even though it is the one we live in, is undoubtedly determined by history. In short, in the account given of our contemporary circumstances, I resented seeing Nature and History confused at every turn, and I wanted to track down, in the decorative display of what-goes-without-saying, the ideological abuse which, in my view, is hidden there" [From the Preface to Mythologies, by Roland Barthes, Trans. Annette Lavers (1972)]

I have looked at Barthes previous in nearly all of my past photography projects as he is a really big inspiration to me. One of his most famous essays and the one that have given me most inspiration is "The Death Of The Author".
I felt inspired by his work as always in the same way as he has opened up an idea in my mind that relates to the end of my project. I am looking at existence and the idea that we exist in such a huge vast universe that we cannot make sense of it all. This being said, I know my final images may be addressed differently by different people. I want them to feel a range of emotions when looking at my images (negative or positive) and for something to be taken away.
I have explored in depth these ideas and feel passionately about them.

Barthes has helped inspired that and because y interpretation may be different to others I feel his work deserved a mention. It is an open text with a never amount of meanings that I have given my audience.

Raoul Hausmann -FALLING-

Raoul Hausmann (July 12, 1886 – February 1, 1971) was an Austrian artist and writer. One of the key figures in Berlin Dada, his experimental photographic collages, sound poetry and institutional critiques would have a profound influence on the European Avant-Garde in the aftermath of World War I. (WIKI)

I am inspired by his work as it is a follow on from looking at DADA art. I like the way his images are collages and can have multiple meanings and yet it is down to the audience to interpret it however they want.

Although, as I have mentioned, I am not looking as in depth to this as I would usually do, I am still heavily inspired. I love his work and feel it is really individual.
Due to the heavy topic I feel this is brilliant to bring into my research as it ensures I have explored all different areas of Existentialism.

Photomontage

"The photomontage became the technique most associated with Berlin Dada, used extensively by Hausmann, Höch, Heartfield, Baader and Grosz, and would prove a crucial influence on Kurt Schwitters, El Lissitsky and Russian Constructivism. It should also be pointed out that Grosz, Heartfield and Baader all laid claim to having invented the technique in later memoirs, although no works have surfaced to justify these claims."

                                            

The section below is from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Hausmann#cite_note-5 and wanted to reference. 

The Mechanical Head[edit]

Mechanical Head (The Spirit of Our Time), assemblage circa 1920

The most famous work by Hausmann, Mechanischer Kopf (Der Geist Unserer Zeit), "The Mechanical Head (The Spirit of Our Time)", c. 1920, is the only surviving assemblage that Hausmann produced around 1919–20. Constructed from a hairdresser's wig-making dummy, the piece has various measuring devices attached including a ruler, a pocket watch mechanism, a typewriter, some camera segments and a crocodile wallet.^[13]

"Der Geist Unserer Zeit – Mechanischer Kopf specifically evokes the philosopher George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831). For Hegel...everything is mind. Among Hegel's disciples and critics was Karl Marx. Hausmann's sculpture might be seen as an aggressively Marxist reversal of Hegel: this is a head whose "thoughts" are materially determined by objects literally fixed to it. However, there are deeper targets in western culture that give this modern masterpiece its force. Hausmann turns inside out the notion of the head as seat of reason, an assumption that lies behind the European fascination with the portrait. He reveals a head that is penetrated and governed by brute external forces.^[14]

Dada Art -FALLING-

Dada

"The term Dada was first used by Richard Huelsenbeck and Tristan Tzara in 1916.[64] The movement, which lasted from approximately 1916 to 1922, arose during World War I, an event that influenced the artists.[65] The Dada Movement began in Zürich, Switzerland – known as the "Niederdorf" or "Niederdörfli" – in the Café Voltaire.[66] The Dadaists claimed that Dada was not an art movement, but an anti-art movement, sometimes using found objects in a manner similar to found poetry. The "anti-art" drive is thought to have stemmed from a post-war emptiness. This tendency toward devaluation of art has led many to claim that Dada was an essentially nihilistic movement. Given that Dada created its own means for interpreting its products, it is difficult to classify alongside most other contemporary art expressions. Hence, due to its ambiguity, it is sometimes classified as a nihilistic modus vivendi.[65]" (Wiki)

This movement has inspired me as it was spoke about during my English literature lesson as external knowledge around Existentialism. I used a simple search for 'Dada Art' to see what I could find. Here are some examples of what I found.

Although it does not link and I have not taken images specifically inspired by this work I feel I am still very inspired by it. I have used these ideas as large inspiration for the whole project. 

The last piece of work is by an artist named:  Raoul Hausmann. He is a writer and artist in which I will look at in more depth in an external blog post. 

Existential search -FALLING

A simple google search to get more inspiration is something I do quite often. I do not look intensly at the search results but to get an idea of other research I could do I find it quite helpful. I searched for Existentialism and found this definition:

Existentialism: is a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe.
I know the definition is simple but I am so inspired by the ideas people have had and are still having now in order to pass it down to us.

I then conducted another search but for a google image result. Using the same word (Existentialism) I found some images that I really took inspiration from:

 




This is the image that captured my thoughts in one. 

Existence Thoughts -FALLING-

Using the theory of our existence being an idea and looking closely into this I decided that to build up around my final image I need to take images of when the feeling occurs and try to capture it in an image. These images are when I was thinking about these ideas on my way home from college. They, although taken on my phone, represent the ideas I am trying to convey. They show the simple ideas such as lines, shapes and  reflection that represent the idea.

Photographer #14- Existential Photography: I Am More Than My Face -FALLING-

Another look at a photographer whilst browsing google on a simple search term I found these images. They take the side of existential photography that plays around more and doesn't try to take it so serious. The image splay with colour, form and ideas and yet look very visually appealing. 

I do really like these images and like the simplicity of them but do not think it is something I myself would recreate. The images are very nice but as I prefer images with a little more in the frame.  I do like looking at these and believe they would create beautiful pieces of art just not in the style that I would create.

They use naturally smooth lines and objects that contrast against each other to show the hidden meaning and the reason behind them. The images are therefore available to interpretation by the audience. 

http://www.bitrebels.com/design/existential-photography-i-am-more-than-my-face/

Nihilism -FALLING-

Through all my research I tend to explore the good and the bad sides. This is a dramatic section of research I recently found and thought it would help in relation to my project title FALLING.

Although quite negative I thought I would still explore this as it is not only interesting to myself but I feel it may lead elsewere.

"Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy." (Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy) 



Just a small detail that may inspire me now or at a later date.

Photographer #13- Existential Photography - Claudine Doury -FALLING-

After intensely researching lots of theories and their ideas, I have started researching some more photographers who use a similar idea maybe in less or more detail then I have. Claudine Doury is a photographer who I have never heard off before but looking through her work I really enjoy it. I found these images under 'Existential' and thought not only do they suit the project, but thy are really nice images as well.
The use a contrast against the natural and the unknown as although they look natural there are object or subjects within the images that are not natural and look extra-ordinary. This alerts the audience and catches their eye.

I feel they work well in my research as they show how many people have different ideas about how and why we exist and this is just one of the interpretations of it. I will have a very different idea to this photographer and vice versa.

http://www.designstores.gr/found-on-the-red-list-existential-photography-by-claudine-doury.html

Jean-Paul Satre (The Birthfather of Existentialism) -FALLING-

From a simple search for Jean-Paul Satre I found this:

"Jean-Paul-Charles-Aymard Sartre (/ˈsɑːrtrə/;^[6] French: [saʁtʁ]; 21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was a French philosopher, playwright, novelist, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the key figures in the philosophy of existentialism and phenomenology, and one of the leading figures in 20th-century French philosophy and Marxism." 

I only just discovered his work during this project as I was researching the existence of humans and discovered his work. 
I do not know much about him and have never come across his work before but for wider reading around this topic maybe at a later date, I will read some of his theories.

A website described his work on existentialism in his work Being and Nothingness, "where he defines two types of reality which lie beyond our conscious experience: the being of the object of consciousness and that of consciousness itself. The object of consciousness exists as "in-itself," that is, in an independent and non-relational way. 

Famous quotes of his in relation to existentialism: 

• “In life man commits himself and draws his own portrait, outside of which there is nothing"
• "But in reality and for the existentialist, there is no love apart from the deeds of love; no potentiality of love other than that which is manifested in loving; there is no genius other than that which is expressed in works of art.”
• “There is no reality except in action. Man is nothing else than his plan; he exists only to the extent that he fulfills himself; he is therefore nothing else than the ensemble of his acts, nothing else than his life.” 

These quotes are something I may look at using in my final images or alongside them. I feel they may help the audience connect and get a small insight to the dramatic research I have taken out. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Sartre

Photographic Existentialism -FALLING-

During my extensive research into this project I found this website that included information about the mix between photography and existentialism. 

Here is a snippet of the passage for me to refer back to and for you to read. 

"Philosophy is used in many ways. It can be traced to various world outlooks, the human being's notion of the external world, of himself, and of his position in it.

Existentialism itself has perhaps been most influential in the last century. Its modern attraction owes much to the aftermath and hopelessness of the Second World War. And while it may have lost some of its former glory, it still holds quite an influence over many in the creative arts today.

It has a set of underlying themes and characteristics - anxiety, dread, freedom, awareness of death, and the consciousness of existing. It emphasizes action, freedom, and decision as fundamental to human existence.

It argues against definitions of human beings either as rational, knowing beings who relate to reality primarily as an object of knowledge or whose action can, or ought to be, regulated by rational principles.

Rather, it tends to view human beings as subjects in an indifferent, objective, often ambiguous, and absurd universe in which meaning isn’t provided by the natural order, but rather can be created by human beings' actions and interpretations.

Inspired by the works of Søren Kierkegaard, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and the German philosophers Friedrich Nietzsche, Edmund Husserl, and Martin Heidegger it became popular in the mid-20th century through the works of the French writers Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus."  

The above passage I found on a website and believe it is what is at the heart of my project. I like the way the comparisons have been made surrounding the arts in which I study and existence and how ideas can be drawn between them. 

URL OF WEBSITE:  http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles1106/dm1106-1.html

T. S. Eliot poet -FALLING-

As I continue to say I am a student of very intense research. I enjoy looking deep into ideas and creating my work around them. As I am also a literature student I can see how bigger ideas have effected people and linking them with photography I find not only easy but very very rewarding. One of the biggest ideas I myself believe in and feel strongly about is our existence. We as a whole class are studying this poet and specifically the poem: 'The Lovesong of Alfred Prufrock'.

First published in the June 1915 issue of Poetry: A Magazine of Verse, this poem explores large themes that at the time were seen to be very controversial. The poetry of seventeenth-century metaphysical poet John Donne who I have looked at previously was a reference made through the poem.  This poem allows its audience to explore really huge themes in whatever depth they would like. For example, the poem explores our reasons for being on the earth, he questions small things and the post famous poem line "Do I dare eat a peach?" is found within this poem.

Although this is not photography and I am not looking closely at some images I am still inspired, if not more than I would be with an image. I feel most of my work is inspired though literary and media theories and books and only a small percentage by the work of photographers. I feel this works best for me as I am not influenced to copy their work.
In relation to my project title FALLING, I feel this is suitable as it fits in with all the theories I have researched and the work I am interested in. In m previous work such as my project based on MISPLACED I looked at theories from Rowland Bathes in depth and really researched the theory. This is a similar idea as to looking closely at theories and trying to piece together images that could represent this.

This poem has inspired many of my ideas and from just everyday life I feel this poem have made a difference. 
I have included the first stanza of the poem to allow you to take from it what you want:

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Let us go then, you and I, 

When the evening is spread out against the sky 

Like a patient etherized upon a table; 

Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, 

The muttering retreats 

Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels 

And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: 

Streets that follow like a tedious argument 

Of insidious intent 

To lead you to an overwhelming question ... 

Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” 

Let us go and make our visit. 

In the room the women come and go 

Talking of Michelangelo.

Existential Photography Exhibition -FALLING-

"In the period following World War I, a curious attraction appeared at fairgrounds: the photographic shooting gallery. If the punter’s bullet hit the centre of the target, this triggered a camera. Instead of winning a balloon or toy, the participant would win a snapshot of him or herself in the act of shooting.

Shoot! Existential Photography traces the history of this fascinating side-show – from its popular use at fairgrounds to how it fascinated many artists and intellectuals in its heyday, including Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Man Ray and Lee Miller. The artist Erik Kessels celebrates one shooter in particular – Ria van Dijk, who took portraits of herself in this way every year from 1936 – sixty of these images feature here"

These images I came across on a website at a exhibition whilst searching for narrative based ideas. I loved the concept behind the images as it is such a strange concept.  I love how the images are not overly fussy. The simplicity of the person and yet it represents so much. I like the idea and how the people holding the guns look so threatening. This is a follow up of the ideas I have had recently about how we are only existing and some people need to stop and start living. 

 love how strange and yet so interesting these images are. Although the idea is strange I believe the concept behind this is   brilliant. I like the idea behind it and like how the images are almost created by the subject themselves. I think the name is what caught my eye the most after researching T S Eliot I am following my ideas and theories more and more. 

I

http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/existential-photography

The theory of fish existence -FALLING-

After looking at John Donne's poetry I have learnt lots of new things and began thinking about lots of new theories. I liked the analogy that my English Teacher made and decided to take it further. I myself have pet fish and decided to take some images based on them an this theory. Looking closely at the animals I find it hard to believe that they have fully functioning bodies that keep them alive. Although it may seem like a simple though it is something that I have though deeply about and decided these images best summed up the depth of the theory.

My teacher suggested they, imagining they have there own ideas, know of the fish bowl and what is in the room around them. They have no idea of the world that exists on the stet even further to the city of Sheffield and on a larger scale of the world.
These images do not look closely at detail and are not the best images I have taken, yet I believe they summarize perfectly what I am aiming to show my audience.
I believe this fits the project perfectly as I am technically falling into the idea of us existing.

My Images: