Project statement for Final & Project 3— Ocean

While it may seem cliche to say, thanks to the myriad of politicians constant talk of it, but the ocean is the largest natural expanse we have in this planet. It contains more life then anywhere else and covers more of the earth than any landmass. Many photographers, Michael Muller being one, have embarked on personal projects to help showcase the beauty and power of the ocean in an effort to help protect and raise awareness of the ocean. This project is my contribution to that collective.

Many have seen the ocean in its pristine form—A whale or shark breaching the water, jellyfish floating calmly through the sea, and so forth. My approach is different, because I show case the ocean in a mystical since. One where things are not where they are supposed to be, or scenarios that would other wise never happen. I want to invoke the feeling that the ocean is mysterious, it is bizarre, that it is harmless towards humans so long as humans stay out of the way.

Along with Michael Muller, who takes a Hollywood style portrait of the ocean animals, I was influence by Chris Jordon. Jordon is responsible for the horrible yet telling images of birds taken on the islands of Midway Atoll who are dead as a result oftrash in the ocean currents.

Project Statement

This project was at first intended to be an extension of another project, however through a series of terrible events It has transformed into another one. The recent passing of my grandmother has given me thoughts about time. This is, I think, a natural reaction to the passing of a loved one. The realization that our seemingly infinite lives in a particular moment are really not, is a concept that many do not like to burden themselves with. I have tried with the images I have made as a result of these thoughts, to pictorialize the concept “threads of time” id est, the idea of multiple realities, possibilities, outcomes, et cetera. My grandmothers passing was not a timed one, despite her being very ill and even in the hospital, her death was a freak accident. It is as if the thread her life had been following, somehow crossed with another, there was a mix-up and this new thread she had begun to follow lead her towards demise. It is curious, what is it the dictates these threads. These images are meant to be, not only a homage to my grandmother, but also to the idea that these threads are all around us.

This project was influenced by the works of Jerry Uelsmann, and Roger Ballen.