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Abigail Sweet. Year 2. Photographic Futures; Final Major Project and Dissertation Proposal.

The Final Major Project Proposal

The metamorphosis of wellness is the pathway of my work, I have journeyed thought the reigns of ill health and the eventual culmination of wellness is the objective, this was not the path I hoped to be taking but the ravages of the disease make the choice pertinent and are clawing at my sub conscious to be told.

There is a fine body of work that documents the ill health of others and during my artist research for other topics I have gained inspiration from their work, I think that I was initially drawn to my proposal emulating a style that Crewdson’s work inspired, I have reflected on this and have determined that the concepts are tremendous but my journey is so personal and I feel that it does not fully reflect the emotive side of my experiences. Fine art and documentary are the focus of my research and will supplement the scientific aspects that have to provide the medical back drop of my project. The project will analyse the correlation between the artistic aspects of photography, the need to communicate and subsequently provide factual delivery.

The underpinnings need to embroider the science and the medical facts, the physiology of the disease and I wish to convey those facts in a cinematic, theatrical visually stimulating way. I suspect my journey will have a convoluted aspect and at times the gothic novel Frankenstein will resonate on a level that I would not select. The research will take me on a collision course with understanding my disease and demonstrating the process in an artistic manner that both intrigues and educates. This style, I feel is the best way of projecting my current preoccupation with health.

In Beyond Photography I thoroughly enjoyed using symbolic objects to represent an experience of events and traumas. I want to investigate this further and use more objects to represent symbolic events and scientific facts to juxtapose them.

The project I wish to present is very technical and will mean I will have to expand my proposed research to include disease, as well as the practical resources. I have an extended reading list, inspiration and practical aspects to explore in the coming months. I can’t set time limits as my disease will determine the timeframes due to the need for lengthy treatment and recovery.

The project in its conceptual stage is essentially ambitious but once researched I will endeavour to deliver a fully presentable exhibition. I want to create a simulator of cancer therapy drugs in action and how they work. I would like to build a structure of a heart with four chambers all of which would represent a theoretical a passage through the body. I want to display how the bloodstream works, the effects of the drugs on the blood cells and how those drugs affect the cancer cells and provide a cure. I want the vessels where heavy-metal drugs are shown entering the heart as the structure is transparent, a vacuum is evident and all activity is displayed in a simplistic way through the heart’s physiology. I want to create a silver bullet analogy that displays the concept of the drug’s mechanical actions, and how it attaches to a cancer cell and delivers a deadly weapon of destruction. The back drop will have the haunting, repetitive, muffled human conversation, distorted voices giving factual


information but not in a lucid discernible fashion or any relevant understandable way. I aim to build a cage of barbed wire encasing the heart to give the illusion of a suffocating effect, the crushing mechanism actuated with increasing pressure and the concept of ever increasing isolation. The conceptual underpinning is that the muffled sounds of voices become ever louder and the feeling of overwhelming competition and pressure is becoming greatly accentuated. I want to create a structure of the intestines whereby acid accumulation is demonstrated and acid reflux is evidenced. The pathway into the bladder is displayed and the causative fluctuation in the bowels too. I want to highlight all the cells that are affected and where with a lymphoma diagnosis the body’s defences are affected, this I aim to create with a representational structure of the human body. I want to make a model of a flower to replicate the female genitalia that is shown urinating white blood cells a dramatic effect with cancer therapy and the back drop will contain a hissing noise to simulate the pain of these associated phenomena.

The exhibition will include abstract photographs and paintings to represent some elements and the processes inside the body. I will utilise my photography knowledge to help me illuminate every physical part of the structures enabling the audience to understand the mechanism effectively and provides instant interest to the eye and incorporates all the activity allowing the audience to follow the stages in which the events unfold. I may adjust the size of the objects or change perspective so that they are smaller and easier to transport in an exhibition or otherwise I may adopt the process of photographing all the elements in the studio and have them as prints to be exhibited in an area that and you can follow around and create a storytelling process almost suggestive of a book format.

The references I have used to inspire some of my ideas are: Ron Mueck, for his photo-realistic modelling casts and concepts.

I have felt extremely inspired by the Pink Floyd Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, known as Their Mortal Remains. I loved the displays of objects and how they presented them in a conceptual manner, the use of effective lighting and the enhancement of a journey in time. I wish to incorporate some of the inspiration in my own work.


The other researches I have enjoyed exploring and have found very useful are:

• James, Thurston. (1989) The Prop builder's moulding and casting handbook. Cincinnati : Betterway Books. Summary: This book includes a section on designing and building a vacuum-forming machine for use in constructing theatre props. This will help me in the physical construction of my ideas.

• Dziekan, Vince. (2011) Virtuality and The Art of Exhibition. curatorial design for the multimedial museum. Bristol : Intellect Summary: Designed around contextual studies, this book applies practice-based research to a broad range of topics, including digital mediation, spatial practice, the multimedia museum, and curatorial design.

• Glebas, Francis. (2009) Directing the Story : professional storytelling and storyboarding techniques for live action and animation. Oxford : Focal Press


Directing the Story offers a structural approach to clearly and dramatically presenting visual stories. Teaching concepts and commentary. I think this will guide me in the practical skills I need and will supplement my knowledge base. The chapter: Speaking Metaphor will be especially insightful and will help me with my conceptual elements I feel this book engages all the aspects of my plans and provides constructive instruction and ideas.

•https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta446/documents/appraisal-consultation-document. - This article gives the medical facts behind the drugs used for my treatment.

• Hatton, Chris and Collins, Graham & Sweetenham, John (2008) Fast Facts Lymphoma. Oxford, England: HEALTH PRESS LIMITED. - This gives a clear and concise overview of the disease.

Dissertation Proposal

The subject of my dissertation will provide a journey through the undulations of the disease process, the emotional pathway and the physiological changes that occur with a diagnosis of Cancer. The subject is a personal quest to gain further insight and to educate myself and my audience by exploring the world of Lymphoma. The facts are well documented and the research thesis’ available are numerous but this my journey with all the idiosyncrasies that my love of photography can embroider, my research trajectory has an emotive aspect as I have an ongoing interest in the aetiology of the disease I am diagnosed with. The underpinning will demonstrate a creative artistic drive, a passionate spirit and a lust for innovative communication.

The tapestry of thoughts, perspective and complexities will provide the core of my dissertation. The arguments I will explore will form the basis of the general consensus of


opinion versus the medically researched evidence and how art, photography and science are interlinked. The process will explore the therapeutic benefits of autobiographical storytelling and how that transpires into creativity.

The research trajectory mind map.


The key topics that I will research are fundamental to the underpinning of my dissertation, by using cancer as a starting point as it is pertinent to me and statistically carries an increasing ratio of one in two chances of developing the illness for all humans. This fact will mean that there are lots of anecdotal references from biographical resources that I can research in order to build my understanding, accentuating the importance of sharing events and illnesses such as cancer for educational purposes.

The choice of cancer for my dissertation is pertinent as it works in close unison with my major project proposal because I will be looking at medical facts, physiology, anatomy and professional documentation in order to underpin the journey of diagnosis, treatment and acceptance. The journey will explore the taboo of the subject’s emotional response, the avoidance of discussion, the benefits of increased awareness and understanding.

I would like to investigate the intermediate stage that exists between photography art and science, the origins as a science-based experiment and the evolution into an artistic manifestation. The research will include the numerous technological advances that have enhanced the aesthetics. The ability of the photograph to document the evidence, promote the photographer’s view and add their perspective to enchant the audience. I want to revisit the Pre-Raphaelite era and use this as a benchmark for the progression through to today’s digital technology.

I want to use my experience as a projection of symptom experience, understand the mechanism of the disease piecing together exactly why shared experiences connect and bring people together, how this subsequently provides essential therapy for the mind and most importantly how it can be perceived as a burden of representation, as it falls upon the few who are able to enlighten, educate, promote positivity and reduce stereotyping of the disease and its recipients, creating awareness and ideally reducing the risk factors.

The powerfulness of art as a medium for communication, education and ideology delivery I will reference and will provide case studies to reinforce the worthiness of this as a perfect medium to tell my story.

I feel that I need hone in on selected ideas so that I am able to take the most valuable information for my research as I am very conscious of the fact that the subject matter may not ultimately be to everyone’s taste.

The subject matter is available in many forms but one of the key points of reference that I wish to explore in greater depth is: i Wilder, Kelley. (2009) Photography and Science.


The book bridges the gap between scientific exploration and the underpinning influences combined with the practical application of photography. Wilder shows great skill in displaying the close relationship, the interdependence of the two forms, she enables the reader to understand and appreciate their beautifully symbiotic associations. The exploration of objectivity, experimentation, observation and archiving are all concisely documented. The powerful influence of scientific disciplines such biology are critiqued, medical imaging, scans and their much debated use in that scientific forum. The beauty that is displayed in the images, strangely appealing artistically, only viewed for medically trained eyes and therefore only appreciated in a diagnostic forum. Her work is a backdrop of photographs that are experiments and objects that pertain to scientific study, they are central to her controversial ability to show the success of art in a practical setting.

I feel this style is a reflection of my vision for my dissertation, the close bond between the medical facts and the photographs that I have researched show an energy and fascination that invites further interest, I think that Wilder has captured the theme and executed the subject with extreme skill and I have felt inspired to reference other books that are similar in their vision. I think the book has enough appeal to provide satiety for the scientifically minded and the artistically driven desires.

The search for inspiration that is a key component in my research I found in: ii Tucker, Jennifer. (2005) Nature Exposed: photography as eyewitness in Victorian science.

Late Victorian photography intersected by modern scientific subjects is the basis of Tucker’s work, the journey explored; the roles of investigation, progression and the captured interplay that is vividly displayed are shown as a superb display of this books merits, the book shows how the scrutiny that enabled for the first time with the invention of photography to enthral the audience and start a pseudo form of reality. The subsequent manipulation of images aided the debate that scientific processes were not a reliable route for this invention. The objectively it was deemed was inadequate to be heralded in this domain. The book has all the ingredients that mirror my plan to revisit the origins of photography, the style will inspire my tackling of the progression of the core art form and enlighten me with the critique that has valuable references for me to explore. The equipment used in the early days of photography I find fascinating and the images are an especially pleasing aesthetic. The style of work is able to conjure up an imaginative landscape for me to form a foundation for my research trajectory. I am still in a phase of indecision so I will find this ongoing quest enormously rewarding.

iii The next book that I felt encapsulated the style I wish to explore is Armstrong-Coster, Angela. (2004) Living and Dying with Cancer.

The author has told the story of how the disease progresses, the chronicles of life with the disease, the book adopts a narrative form and is extremely insightful with a multifaceted approach. The author differs from my intended style as she have not experienced the disease personally and has interviewed the subjects in order to research her book, I think that a


narrative style and gaining inspiration in how to address such an emotive issue will help me to gauge the level of detail and sensitivity I will need to adhere to develop a rapport with my intended audience.

My research will be ongoing but I found these books all had a connection to my theme for my dissertation and feel these are the first of a huge volume of proposed reference points.

I suspect that I will revisit this initial stage and my research may reward me with other material that I find of greater benefit but I am enjoying the challenge to find the most stimulating trajectory I have included in the bibliography many articles that I have also researched but wished to focus on the most inspiring.

i Wilder, Kelley. (2009) Photography and Science. London: Reaktion

ii Tucker, Jennifer. (2005) Nature Exposed: photography as eyewitness in Victorian science. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

iii Armstrong-Coster, Angela. (2004) Living and Dying with Cancer. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press,

Bibliography

1. Connell, Camilla. (1998) Something Understood: Art Therapy in Cancer Care. (s.l.) Wrexham Publications.

2. Gabriel, Janice. (2007) ‘Cancer: What Does a Diagnosis Mean for an Individual and What Are The Implications for Society?’ In: Gabriel, Janice (ed.) The Biology of Cancer. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Pp.23-30

3. Waller, Diane and Sibbett, Caryl (2005) Art Therapy and Cancer Care Berkshire, England: McGraw-Hill Education.

4. Schneider, Myra. (2003) Writing My Way Through Cancer. London, Engand: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

5. Peter Boyle and Bernard Levin (2008) World Cancer Report 200. France: World Health Organization

6. Novak, Estela Maria and Rego, Eduardo Magalhães (2012) ‘Programed Cell Death: Apoptosis, Autophay, Necrosis and Oxidative Stress in Haematological Malignancies’ Novak, Estela Maria and Rego, Eduardo Magalhães (ed.) Physiopathogenesis of Hematological Cancer. (s.l.) Bentham Science Publishers pp 14-34.

7. Savani Bipin N and Mohty, Mohamad (2015) Clinical Guide to Transplantation in Lymphoma. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

8. Hatton, Chris and Collins, Graham & Sweetenham, John (2008) Fast Facts Lymphoma. Oxford, England: HEALTH PRESS LIMITED.

9. Liebmann, Marian and Weston, Sally (2015) ‘Short-term Art Therapy Groups for People with Cancer’ Liebmann, Marian and Weston, Sally Art (ed.) Therapy with Physical Conditions. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. pp56-114

10. Buxton, Jackie (2015) Tea & Chemo: Fighting Cancer, Living Life. Brentford: Urbane Publications.

11. Moorjani, Anita (2012) Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing Kensington, London: Hay House

12. Larson, Margot (2013) Living with Cancer - A Journey of Hope: My personal story of the power of positive thinking. (s.l.) CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

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abigailsweetphotography.files.wordpress.com · Web viewThe project I wish to present ... The conceptual underpinning is that the muffled sounds of voices become ever louder and