Concepts...all those thoughts but no pictures

05/10/09

TITLE

P.I.A.F.
'Guilty pleasure'.
An investigation into Phototherapy.

SUBJECT:

It is intended to have sitters/participants invited to take part in a studio photography shoot. Whereby in an allocated timeslot the participant is invited to explore their normally unexpressed nor visualized 'Guilty pleasure'.
This was chosen as the subject to be represented, since it falls into the realms of seldom articulated emotions that are an integrate part of our lives.
It is intended to represent that emotion in images of surreal qualities to remind of images we hold in our heads, rather than a voyeuristic documentary shoot of what the sitter is going through. To explore this aspect of imagery is the main aim of the project.

CONCEPT

The concept derives from theories and models to be found in art therapy and that of any other therapeutic practices, where time and space is given to explore and express the normally non-verbal emotions that become an unconscious part of our daily lives.
It is intended to have this as an open and experimental process to explore the process itself and to develop a pilot to be ruled out as workshops in the field of mental health were emotions to explore are chosen by the client throughout consultation. AS well as the quality of imagery itself, it is also to be explored that the imagery produced is an image conceived by the participants themselves/ with as little projection of the artist/photographer herself.
This will be achieved by a line of questioning by the artist prior to the shoot that derives from the area of NLP/ Psychotherapy, to uncover metaphors. Metaphors that are ingrained in our thinking and that is not always seamlessly translated into word, but that should find resemblance in images produced throughout this project.
It is priority for the artist to be used as a tool in this project to produce those images as authentic as possible. The Artist intends to work with a team to disperse personal projection into the image, and to give the sitter the opportunity to uncover most aspects of their Guilty Pleasure, with help of others.


CONTENT

The images are constructed Photographs, set up as a result of previous consultation with the sitter, props and connotations of objects in the images will all be considered. This may well happen after the shoot in reflection but they will be discussed throughout the process of this project. And notes should be made (this can be in form of a title chosen by the sitter or other written notes).
Going by the theories found in art therapy, the most important part of the process is to be found in the triangle relationship between the therapist, client, and art piece. In this instance this would be the presentation of the image and discussion between the artist and the participants. Or the exhibition itself could be an instrumental part of discovery at the heart of this project. The process of uncovering a paradox.

AIMS&OBJECTIVES

It is the predominant aim to produce a series to be exhibited in Feb 2009 under the mentioned title. Alongside, previously shot images in this series.
The process of participants experience will also be documented, whether this will be part of the exhibition needs to be discussed.
After the planned two day shoot it is to be decided if this will qualify as a pilot to apply for funding, or further projects in form of a workshop. Following projects should be conducted with the team that is to be tested with this shoot. Strategies and structure will be documented and reviewed and valued in discussion with the team and participants.
Outcomes of this project will be passed on to other parties for discussion for relevance in context to the practice of art-/or psychotherapy.

AUDIENCE&CONTEXT

The Audience for this photographic exhibition is expected to be broader then that of an ordinary exhibition, since the interest in the process of the production should inspire curiosity in that what is represented. It is expected that the exhibition will be an event in it's own right with participants present, experiencing the last part of this process by seeing their emotions on display.
The exhibition is also seen as an important to launch this concept into the public eye. And to draw on the artists experience of the procedure, that is involved, and to open up new avenues for this to become a working workshop. A platform to explore it's relevance of the unspoken.

PRESENTATION

The chosen images to be included in this exhibition will be fine art prints of medium to large size to enhance impact onto the onlooker.