For my final project, I ended up blending the two ideas of portraits that had “hit” me and places on the line that corresponded with the portraits. I used 10 portraits and 10 “places”. The final project was hung in the Cohen Studio with my classmates and was a hit. I was very proud and thought the outcome was successful. Things I could have done better, though, was focusing my ideas on matching the images based on one thing rather than composition, color, texture and many other things.Here’s my final project up in the studio.
So, as we began to embark on this massive project, I started to become worried. My word, light, was such an easy word to go the more cliché route. I could have taken pictures of lights and called it a day. But, as seen in my proposal, I didn’t chose that path, per say.
I did, however, start to plan a modification of the easy way out. I could take pictures of lights in the day and the night, or I could even dress up a model. As I was preparing for these tasks, I started to question the paths I was choosing. Sure, it’d be pretty simple to just take some pictures of some girl and print them out and boom – I’m done. No, I thought, I can’t just do that.
So I went back to the dictionary. There are so many uses of the word ‘light’ and I needed to find something that wouldn’t necessarily be known by others – this way I could teach through my photographs, I could invoke question and reason rather than be extremely obvious.
I decided on this definition;
light: to come by chance; happen; hit (usually followed by on or upon): to light on a clue; to light on an ideal picnic spot
I decided that I would just take my camera out, with the intent to take pictures of people, and whatever hit me, I went with it. I used the word to help in the process rather than the final project. I walked the line a few times and nothing really hit me. But then, between Harder and the woods I saw the sun hit a woman’s face in such a beautiful way, I was speechless. I was too nervous to ask her to pose for a photograph. But that sparked my process; I knew what I was going to do.
I was going to take photographs of people I know and don’t know – simple portraits that allow the natural lighting to accentuate something. People aren’t just faces. There’s something skin deep that I wanted to capture. It was beautiful, the process. After asking a few students, I noticed something very strange. Many people were camera shy. They didn’t enjoy photographs of themselves because they didn’t think they looked good enough. After some convincing, I was able to sway a few, but I’m pretty disappointed that I couldn’t reach all of them. With the portraits I did take, I allowed the people to see the pre-edited versions, (I’m only editing for the sake of print quality). They were amazed that such a photograph could exist of themselves. I’ve had people, now, come ask me to take their portrait! Kids from different dorms, kids that I know, kids that I don’t know, some people that heard about me from a friend. It’s rather satisfying. I’ve seen the light, figuratively of course. I know now that photography was a good choice for this project. It’s allowing me to expand my portfolio but at the same time, it’s making me merge the two different ways of documenting together – the research, observations and whatnot and photography. I am excited to see where these things go.
Here’s an example of what I’m doing. Pictured is a boy from my dorm I have never spoken to before.
For my proposal, I cut the Bristol Board up and created something that could be moved around, swung around, something mobil. It helps to convey the message that light is mobil, it makes people mobil, and it keeps moving from day to day, season to season. After being cut up, my proposals create a balanced object – the point in all of my proposals for the bigger project.
I have three different ideas for my big project.
Installation of Images
For the first proposal, I suggested that I string photos between two posts. The images would fall at eye level – around 5’6” to be a center point for different heights. The images would consist of a model dressed appropriately in light or dark attires. One side would show the light, the other the dark. This could be hard because the images may turn out cliche or even too abstracted. Also, if left in the studio, someone may actually touch the images, allowing for my installation to be messed up.
Yin and Yang
For the second, I wanted to hone in on the point of balance with light and dark. The yin yang is a perfect symbol, but it may be too cliche – may be overdone. The light section would have images of the line during the day. The night section would have images of the line at night, including stars, maybe a few points of light, and so on. It would be a collage in the shape of the yin yang and I would hope to convey the message of the differences yet similarities at the same time.
Glass Box
For the last proposal, I would either buy or create a glass box with a dramatic light. It would contain objects, water, dirt, all from the line. They would be things that invoke feelings of warmth or cold, or both. It may be too hard, though, to keep the objects alive, if they’re leaves and whatnot. It may also be too hard to find the box.
Light can be defined in my previous posts, but just to recap:
Light is the thing that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
As I traversed the line, once again, this time I used a new lens, a new pair of glasses; I decided to look for both light and dark, I observed people and the light, and I wrote down my own feelings on that particular day and how they related to the light. For my explorations, I did: Observations, Dark versus Light, a Poem, and Conversations With A Stranger.
Observations
Light reaches most of the line, during the day (all but underground).
At night, only the lights from buildings, lampposts, and the moon, are visible. Therefore, only the surrounding areas can be seen, unless you have a flashlight.
The difference between day and night is dramatic, not only visually, but in terms of people and interactions. In the light, you can see all around, up, down, left, right, while on the line. But in the dark, you can only see what your eyes can adjust to.
Even when it’s cloudy, everything on the line is visible during the daytime.
Activity, with people, can be determined by light.
Beauty, and any other sight, can be the same in the light as well as outside the light (the dark) – you just have to expand your senses; use others.
There are more students laying out in the sun, on the warm sunny days, than if it were to be cloudy. The human mind recognizes UV rays and sunlight as warmth and something needed for survival. We need the sun.
I, myself, laid out on the line, on the hill of grass behind McMahon, during the sunny day this week. It was sensational, the warmth. Stress, worry, it all dissipated. I was enveloped by the light and the beauty of the day. I heard laughing and music. Everyone was outside enjoying the weather. I didn’t feel scared or threatened by anything.
I also laid out, in the same spot, during the nighttime. I went out at 3 in the morning instead of 3 in the afternoon (like I did above). Not only did I feel lost in my own, literal, backyard, I was scared for what was around the corner or who would come up to me if they found I was lying alone in the grass. After a while, it became peaceful. I realized that there was no danger, and relaxed. But unlike the daytime, I had to adjust. I also was very cold. I had brought a blanket and wrapped myself in it. The wind caught the holes in my blanket and sent chills down my spine. All I could hear was the sound of rustling leaves. Eerie. Everything was eerie.
Dark versus Light
for this “exploration,” I document through photographs, the difference between dark and light, even during the daytime. The sun can create eerie shadows even when it’s warming you up and making you feel rejuvenated and safe.
Poem
Luminous orbs along the concrete jungle, lead me along the path that I need to go.
Up the mountain, and down the valley, the line of footsteps I’m making is growing larger.
One mile up, one mile down.
Crisp leaves allow for a satisfying journey, for as you step on them, they crunch.
The orb in the sky allows for a reminder that although it’s there, winter is coming.
One mile up, one mile down.
Waves of smell grow stronger when you near the buildings with lights glowing from inside.
Dinner, lunch, saw dust and glue, paint, doughnuts and coffee, cigarettes and perfume.
One mile up, one mile down.
Lighting my path is a small flashlight and I feel afraid to be on foreign soil so late at night.
But I must continue on this path I’m walking, allowing these luminous orbs to lead me.
One mile up, one mile down.
Conversations with a Stranger
For this exploration, I did just what the title states; I had conversations with strangers I encountered along the line. I asked them their opinions on light, what it meant, and what it means to them. After I introduced myself, explained what I was doing, and broke the ice, I asked one simple question: What is light to you? Here are their stories:
Michelle: Light is something that kind of gives me hope, you know, like when it’s really dreary and rainy out and you’re having a bad day, then the sun comes out and life just feels better. That’s what light is to me. I like that I can rely on that kind of hope.
Tony: (chuckling) Well, uhm, I don’t know. It’s the sun, it’s the bed lamp I have by my bed. I couldn’t live without light, you know? I don’t think any of us could. Well, except maybe cockroaches, (chuckle).
Noah: Honestly? When I think of the word light, I think of when God created light. Wasn’t it like, the second day or something? (To which I answered, “No, it was the first day.”) Wow, yeah see, I was gonna say it was so important that he spent one of the days on it. And then when I think about God and light, and angels, and the sun, and good, and evil. I don’t know, man. It’s vast. It’s so hard to pinpoint what I think of first and why it’s so important to me that I think that. Good question, though.
Tina: Well, because of the holiday season coming up, my family has been going crazy for the Christmas season. It’s a big part of my family. We all get together. And I think that, when I hear the word “light” I think of Jesus and the little star that God put in the sky that led to Bethlehem. But then, I look at it more metaphorically, I guess. If I think about that, then I think about the fact that it’s the little light that was once over Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, that still brings my family together, today. We like to fight sometimes, and it’s detrimental to our relationships. But at the end of the year, we forget about everything and come together. We see the light, too. And it brings us warmth.
I saw the wall of words, all different yet all the same, some I’ve never seen, some I’ve taken for granted. But my eyes shot to one word almost instantaneously: light. What a beautiful word, what a beautiful concept, light. Light is something we as humans wouldn’t be able to live without. And too much light would be detrimental, as well.
something that makes things visible or afford illumination: All colors depend on light.
the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight
an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon
the radiance or illumination from a particular source; the light of a candle
This list goes on for over 45 definitions for just this entry of ‘light’. There are so many ways to interpret this word. It can be used as a metaphor such as: I have seen the light. It can be used in terms of a literal light. There is a science behind light with physics which deals with wavelength and the speed of light. But it can be used in terms of weight.
of small amount, force, intensity, etc.; light trading on the stock market; light rain; light sleep
This specific list goes on for 37 definitions of light in terms of weight or consequence, etc. Having light as a physical thing you can measure is still subjective, though. You can compare a feather to a rock. Of course the feather is lighter – it’s nature. This comes into place with human interaction and expectations of body image, (kind of heavy stuff, I know – no pun intended).
This is why I chose to marry the two definitions of the word in the video. I used visual light, actual light. It reflected off of water, glass, plastic, it was visible on everything because the sun was out. Even if it was cloudy, there would still be light. But I also used myself and the antonym of light – I’ve struggled with weight for my entire life, it’s a family issue, as well – and how heavy my steps were in the beginning with the crunching of the leaves, the time it took for me to walk, the heaviness of my steps. Towards the end, my feet are swift, going backwards, light. It’s a representation of my struggle with weight. I had, for a long time, thought that the weight of the burden and the burden of the weight, was holding me back. But when in growing up, I have come to realize that it shouldn’t. I shouldn’t hold back with my personality, flirtation, friendly smiles just because of my weight. I’m light, not heavy, when I walk now. I walk with a jump in my step, proud to have made it to such a great college, to be alive with a great family and amazing friends. I love where I am and where I’m going. I am light and the world is at my fingertips.
-All definitions and thesaurus entries from Http://www.dictionary.com/
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While writing these lists, I have discovered a metaphor that light stands for. Well, realized more than discovered. You know that whole good versus evil thing? Well, light has always stood for the good, and dark for the evil. Light was something so important that even God created light on the first day:
Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
- NIV
And so, ever since then, it was looked upon that light meant good, and darkness meant evil or bad. I guess that’s why it’s so intriguing to me. I’ve learned this bible story since I was pretty much old enough to smile. Fire light, car lights, street lights, they all bring back stories and memories from my childhood. So, here’s a quick story:
When I was younger, around a few months to a year old, I would have nights where sleep was just something that I did not want to do. So, my father would strap me into my car seat in the back seat of his little car, throw in Billy Joel’s “Goodnight, My Angel” and start to drive. I would fall asleep almost instantly. Even to this day, this song has been our song and I still love driving at night when you can see the street lights and the moonlight and stars.
I guess I have an emotional connection to this specific word and maybe that’s why I wanted it this badly. I can connect it to my life in so many ways. And the fact that I can connect it to the line, as well, makes me feel like I’m one with Alfred. I’ve fallen in love with this town, and feeling part of it just makes the connection stronger. Everything, both on the line and not, is beautiful. There is never an absence of light here, which is something I love. I may be walking down Main Street at three o’clock in the morning, and there will still be lights, whether they’re coming from the street lamps, college house parties, the neon sign by the Post Office, or the moonlight. I am very lucky to never have the absence of light. It may get dark, but there’s always a place where I can look for that tiny bit of hope.
For our homework, we were expected to explore the entire line, from the top of Alfred State all the way to the depths of the forest on the hill of Alfred University. I had a vast amount of experiences, doing so. I went to explore at different intervals throughout the week, including time of day, state of the the weather, and more. For our homework, we were required to complete 6-8 systems of explorations with a documentation of some sort.
System #1: Up Close and Personal x
The first exploration I did of the line was called “Up Close and Personal”. I used a magnifying dome to explore the different elements of nature from both the AU side as well as the AState side. In doing so, I discovered the different parts of a plant or object. I could see the cells of a leaf and the details of mushroom. I could also see the unique crystals of ice and snow. I enjoyed this particular exploration because it allowed me to expand my mind and see nature on a smaller scale. But also, I was able to use my photography to document the specific exploration and do a different style of photography.
No, you’re not viewing a photoshop effect. This is a diffraction filter. It can be seen in the first photograph. It’s placed in the view of the path of light. When white light hits it, the filter creates a rainbow effect. I chose to use “Light and Diffraction” as my next exploration. It’s a tricky one, though. The sunlight is needed – it is the purest form of white light that is produced on the line. Sure, there are LED’s that also help produce the rainbow, but not out on the line. I set out to see how the sun affects its surroundings. It creates a silhouette of the mountains and trees in a ghost-like rainbow. But it’s not the purest rainbow; that would be the beams coming from the sun. I enjoyed this exploration because it uses color other than the usual natural colors found on the line. It spices it up, you could say. It adds a supernatural color to such a natural background.
For this exploration, I did something different. I listened to “The Scientist,” Coldplay’s haunting melody, covered by Willie Nelson. I listened to it on repeat. Walking around, I would sit down and take a minute to listen carefully. If the spot was special, I would take a photograph. I did this until I found the spot where I felt the most connected to the landscape as well as the song; the space where the two came together. This spot came to be in the free parking lot on the top of AU. I sat on the little concrete blocks overlooking the the valley and the mountain on the opposite side. Thankfully, I got to explore the line in a time where the leaves weren’t on the trees, so I could easily see out across without anything blocking my view. It was beautiful. The sun was perfect on the left side of my face, the wind blowing from the same direction. I heard nothing but the haunting lyrics, I smelled the fall air, I saw the landscape, I felt the earth beneath my boots and finger tips. It was peaceful and something I would have never experienced if the line hadn’t pushed me to expand my thoughts and environment.
System #4: World of Magic (Exploration #32 from Book)
A wild stuffed bear appears. He lays on the ground expecting to be picked up, but no one will come from him for he is far away from home. He lost him mommy, she grew too old. But what she didn’t know, he was always going to be with her. At night, this tiny, cute being transforms. He turns into a live, walking, flying stuffed animal. Have you ever seen one? They appear only at night to be alive. I haven’t seen one, yet, but I’ve heard of this stuffed bear. He is a legend amongst us AU students. So, he flies to the dorms at night, trying to find his mommy. She brought him here, expecting to love him no matter what, just like she had in her past 18 years of existence. But as time went by, she grew up. She thought that life wasn’t really dependent upon this stuffed bear. But the bear knew otherwise. It was necessary to hold on to your past, and remember your childhood. It makes you who you are today. So this bear sets out each night trying to find his mommy, trying to remind her of what life is supposed to look like, of what she needs to be focusing on. She shouldn’t be partying and drinking and just goofing off. Her education is important, she needs to be responsible. She needs to know that someone loves her and always will. This bear forever will search until he finds his mommy. Because sometimes the child must help the parent.
System #5: Found Words (Exploration #49 from the Book)
That woman snatcher, he took my girl.
Surrounded by Laurens!
The line? What’s the line?
Who is that kid? I’ve never seen him around.
I’ll race ya! (Followed by a truck race)
This is the warmest it’s been in weeks.
Campus safety got us last weekend, we almost died.
It’s hot out today.
Can I bum a cig?
It’s beautiful! You’re beautiful.
The test was ridiculous. What was a power of 10?!
Who are you again?
System #6: Textures
For this exploration, I decided to find out how many textures I could find on both sides of the valley. I found these sharp textures that even hurt when you touched them. The moss was beautifully soft and moist to the touch. Leaves are smooth, but there’s a texture to them. Everything has such a distinct texture that I would have been able to distinguish between them. I covered sounds, smells, sights, and touch was the last thing I wanted to explore. There’s so much to touch on the line. I would walk a few feet, then feel around. Walk a few feet, then feel around.
The line is a beautiful thing. To be honest, at first I was stressing out about it. I’m not the most physically fit and I have knee injuries that restrict my movement. But the curiosity kept me going. I wanted to know what was over that crest. I wanted to know what the view would be like. I wanted to know who I would encounter on the line or what different things I could find along my way. I enjoyed the line, after the first time walking it. I walked it a total of 3 times over the course of 5 days. Each day brought something different, whether it be weather or time of day, whether or not there’s sun or even the location of the sun. I loved the line. I now have so much to draw from for inspiration in my journey this year. I have hundreds of photographs and collections of rocks and leaves in my room. I can see myself doing this outside of school, in my own town, exploring something that I thought I knew well.
For my personal territory, I chose the bench between Cannon and Baressi, the freshman dorms. I chose this spot because it is a place I constantly go to sit and enjoy the nice weather (but it’s not always nice here, in Alfred) and to meet up with other people that I know.
50 Things About Your Territory
1.
Pictured above is a view from my bench. Seated are two people I constantly see here.
2. You can see how the ground and pavement changes to a dark color when it rains. You can also see the leaves and various items that are scattered on the stone and grass.
3.
The above picture shows the leaves that had fallen and you can see little pieces of leaves that had been left behind when someone came around and raked them up.
4.
Above, pictured, is the view from the bench when you tilt your head back, inhale, allow the breeze to blow through your hair, open your eyes, and then you exhale and take in all the aspects of the outdoors during fall.
5. From this bench you can see the hills of Alfred State. 6. You can see the cars of professors and students traveling by. 7. It’s three pm and in the past ten minutes, twenty-seven students have walked by. 8. I knew thirteen of those students. 9. I have seen one student smoke a cigarette. 10. I don’t know how, but the weather seems to get colder and colder with every drag. 11. The leaves are falling around like flakes of snow do in a snow-fall; their paths are random and they seem to stay suspended in air for hours. 12. There are cigarette butts on the ground.13. There’s saliva on the ground from smokers. 14. There’s ask on the edges of the bench from the smokers who put their cancer sticks out, there. 15. I can hear car horns, then silence, then music from dorms. 16. It gets dark here, real quickly. 17. There are a lot of students with backpacks that don’t look too happy to be walking on a dreary day like today. 18. The bench is situated between two beautiful trees. 19. There’s a garbage can on the right side. 20. I have seen two smokers, now. 21. I see a woman running up and down Academic Alley, up and down. 22. The rocks or stones that the bench is sitting up is cold to the touch and rough. 23. The stones look like little pieces of puzzles, fitting perfectly together. 24. There are little cracks in between them. 25. Weeds and dirt fill those cracks. 26. It’s getting pretty dark, already. 27. The street lights have turned on. 28. It’s calm now, not many students are walking by. 29. When I got here, my friends were here rolling cigarettes and singing ragtime music. 30. I am alone now. 31. People are pretty friendly when they do stop and talk. 32. I have left the bench to get some things to eat and charge my battery on my camera. When I returned it was seven pm. 33. The siren in town went off at seven-o-seven. It does this every night. 34. There’s paint on the bench. 35. The back of the bench quotes Harry Potter, “Of course it’s in your head, Harry. That doesn’t mean it isn’t real.” This made me happy. 36. Harry Potter fans like this bench, too. 37. There’s pieces of gum on the ground. 38. There’s even gum on the trees. 39. I can hear a whistle from a sports team somewhere. 40. I can see the lights from the stadium, from here. 41. There’s a layer of fog surrounding the lights. 42. The trees have all changed color, I can see from here. I can see them on the hill. I can smell them. 43. Dinner can be smelled from this spot, over in Ade Dining Hall. It smells so good and I realize I’m hungry. 44. After dinner, I’ve returned to my spot to find some people that I know sitting under the shelter of the trees. 45. The trees are just full enough to stop the small rain drops that have appeared in the atmosphere. 46. I can hear the wind carry the fallen leaves. They rustle along the ground like tiny footsteps. 47. This bench reminds me of my childhood and I miss home. I’m going home on Saturday and this experience is helping me to get ready. 48. My friends have left.. It’s colder, now. My breath can be seen. 49. I can see the silhouettes of students walking from practice, games, class, or dinner. I can see them in the light of the residence halls. 50. I have reached number fifty and I cannot wait to walk to this bench again, tomorrow, with a better understanding of where I am in the world. This little spot is beautiful and serene – something I definitely need in a hectic life.
Self Guided Tour
Above and below is my self-guieded tour. The instructions are on one side and the map on the other. The instruction sheet reads:
So, you want to get to my personal territory?
Well, here’s what you gotta do.
Flip this page over and follow the map.
Too difficult? No? Well, you’ll figure it out.
As you make your way from the Cohen Studio, be sure to collect some things on your way. You’ll need: pebbles, leaves, sticks, flowers; anything that reminds you of fall. TRUST ME! It’s important that you do this. You’ll appreciate it later.
When you finally arrive, place your things down and go to the next step.
You have arrived at the next step. Nice job. You’re doing great so far.
Sit down. Relax.
Observe what and who you see, what and who you hear, and what and who you smell. Write this down somewhere.
Now, look around. Do your objects that you collected on the way here, do they match the objects around you? No? Then you see how much things differ, even from a few feet away.
Say “hi” to someone you don’t know.
Enjoy. I come here all the time and love to see the different people and smell the different smells. This place reminds me of my childhood. What does it remind you of?
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(place to write what it reminds you of)
The above picture shows my map. Sorry about the quality – my camera died. (Sad day). But it shows all the major intersections between Cohen and my personal territory. It’s farely simple to read, as well.
Exploration # 8
Above, pictured, is my mapping of the cracks in my personal territory. There’s a semi-circle of stones with cracks; they’re like puzzle pieces. Then there’s the sidewalk behind the bench. There’s many cracks there.
Exploration # 21
Instead of doing my favorite street, I did my favorite place on the campus – my personal territory. I described what I saw, without giving away the secrets of the place. Sure, it’s out in the open, many people pass by it. But not everyone truly understand the beauty it holds. Now, I do.
