Concept
• The objective of this project is to observe the everyday life of a young girl by examining her belongings. The idea is to understand her changing personality and cultural influences in an analytic and psychological approach, drawing connections between objects and their meanings. I am interested in the tension between childhood and young adulthood; the transition from toys to boys- literally. The goal of the project is to read the personal space as a diary or a device for storytelling. A main component of this project is to communicate by creating an emotional connection or relatable experience to either the young person or the parent- I imagine the project will blatantly read as parent photographer, I am okay with this aspect.
Logistics
• Photographing will take place in my home- this gives me almost unlimited access. Shooting can occur without or with out the presence of my daughter. Problems may occur if she knows her personal space is being photographed, however over the course of the semester I anticipate full relaxation concerning the project, in fact I anticipate she may forget or not care at all. Another possible problem may be variety of interest in her personal space without her interaction. The project may benefit from casual and environmental portraits in addition to her personal space.
• Digital images intended for print will be collected.
Resources and Time Management
• Final presentation will be 20 11x14 prints. Alternative presentation could be in book form (portfolio style with attention to ordering, flow, color and feel) or slideshow (intention on storytelling through use of “ken burns”, rhythm, flow, sequential ordering, scale, multiple images, etc).
• Funds for 20 exhibition prints 11x14 in size have been secured. Funds for a self-published Blurb book or final presentation materials for prints have not been secured. Cost of book: $104.95 (12x12 square, premium paper, custom logo, 20-40 pages). ½ gatorfoam mounting with no front protection: 11x14 $15 ea x 20 prints = $300
• Time line:
o A) Shoot now thru November 8th (6 weeks); Edit for book or slideshow Nov 6 – 20th (3 weeks); book needs to be ordered by Nov 20th to be ready by Dec 1st
o B) Shoot to Nov 20th (8 weeks); edit for prints Nov 20th – Dec 1st)
Relevance
• Artists like Sally Mann, Betsy Schneider, Leigh Pruess, Shannon Smith, Deana Lawson, Bill Henson and Laura Greenfield influence my ideas and are all looking at family, personal space, symbolism of culture and influences on youth. Although each approach is different in context and style, they have a common theme of understanding the personal space of another. I would like to do the same type of analysis using objects and their physical correlation to each other. The impact I would like to see is the viewer relating to and remembering their own awkward transition from childhood to being a young adult- to consider contemporary culture and how it shapes today's youth, specifically technological advances and relative ease of access young people have to expensive and sophisticated means of communication and entertainment (computers and cel phones).
In addition: I want to add to this proposal..... It's not just the objects I want to photograph, it's her space in general. Photographing her possessions does not place them in the context of a changing person- of the transition I am interested in. I think the spaces we find the objects are just as important as the objects themselves. Placement, interaction and context all play a part in analyzing a visual diary.