Still life
The first time I slipped a sheet of exposed, light-sensitive photo paper into a tray of photographic chemistry, an image replaced the blankness of the page like clouds suddenly gathering within a once clear sky, only to freeze into a finite composition. The traditional photographic process held certain gravity, where its energy was immediately tactile. Still life positions itself as a personal homage and possible eulogy to the traditional photographic process as it exists in the digital age ***.
I allowed trays of photographic chemistry to evaporate and crystallize as they would naturally over the span of a series of weeks and, as a result, was able to achieve a visual representation of the tactility that the digitization of photography has nullified. There is a level of pleasure in realizing the chemical’s transformation, its temporality and sensitivity to the elements, and how similar it is to the light-sensitive material it would typically act upon. In this sense, the dried chemistry symbolizes an exponential latency and sense of time passing, during which it becomes increasingly past tense while creating pleasing patterns and a buildup of its decline. The only thing missing is the scent.
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Indicating (chemistry combination #03), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Dektol, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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D-76, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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RA-4, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Stop-Bath, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Indicating (chemistry combination #02), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Stop-Bath (left in the cold), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Fixer, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Blix, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Hypoclear, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Indicating (chemistry combination #01), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
*** Note: All of the images in the Still life series were shot using a digital image-capture device on the back of a traditional 4x5 view camera. In addition, the prints were made using an inkjet printer.
I allowed trays of photographic chemistry to evaporate and crystallize as they would naturally over the span of a series of weeks and, as a result, was able to achieve a visual representation of the tactility that the digitization of photography has nullified. There is a level of pleasure in realizing the chemical’s transformation, its temporality and sensitivity to the elements, and how similar it is to the light-sensitive material it would typically act upon. In this sense, the dried chemistry symbolizes an exponential latency and sense of time passing, during which it becomes increasingly past tense while creating pleasing patterns and a buildup of its decline. The only thing missing is the scent.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Indicating (chemistry combination #03), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dektol, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D-76, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RA-4, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Stop-Bath, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Indicating (chemistry combination #02), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Stop-Bath (left in the cold), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Fixer, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Blix, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
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Hypoclear, from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Indicating (chemistry combination #01), from Still life series, 20" x 24", archival inkjet print, 2007/2008.
D E T A I L :
*** Note: All of the images in the Still life series were shot using a digital image-capture device on the back of a traditional 4x5 view camera. In addition, the prints were made using an inkjet printer.