08 - FEATURING
TITLE:
Featuring : A social commentary on contemporary societies changing perceptions of privacy and identity.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES:
To research contemporary issues regarding communication focusing specifically on the relationship between privacy and identity. To collaborate with strangers through pushing their boundaries of personal space both physically and metaphorically. To uncover the rhetorics of the phenomenom of digital communication through studying people in reality and consequently within a virtual realm to make a comparative study.
RESEARCH:
: The concept of privacy and how this could be visualised.
: The concept of contemporary identity.
: Past work on boundaries.
: Psychological studies on privacy.
: The impact of technology on privacy as a whole.
: Documenting strangers identifying features, through photography and interviews.
The inspiration for my research into privacy and the evloving notion of communication in both virtual and the real world, the work featured here is by Made Thought, it was entered into the D&AD awards as a colloborative piece.
Graphic Issue 138 June 2006
The following article I feel could be helpful when visualising the information from my quantitative research.
The book Ctrl + Space focuses on the impact of surveillance, featuring was an installation that covertly encouraged the audience to feel awkward by placing a television outside a toilet door displaying three urinals, making you aware that you are about to be filmed entering the toilets. However when you enter there is only two urinals and in the corner a miniture model of the toilets is being filmed and transmitted to the television outside. Although this sort of installation is playing with you to encourage you to feel particular feelings, I also think there is underlying messages regarding the diminishing boundaries of privacy we now own. I would like to create something that would subtly provoke the audience into thinking about the topic.
Following some internet research on how different individuals deal with privacy I have contacted a friend of mine studying psychology. He sent me back some really interesting articles regarding personal space, and computer surveillance.
Focusing on the relationship between privacy and identity, I have documented strangers identifying features, using both photography and short interviews. Through doing this I am commenting on the current perception of privacy and identity, the emergence of digital communication networks and how this has revolutionized societies conceptual framework of privacy on global scale. Therefore I am intrigued as to how strangers will feel when asked to expose something physically and have it recorded. I am also interested in physical pecceptions and how we sometimes we have to establish and understand what we are not so that we can place who we are.
I intend to design and make a book to record my findings. The book will be called ‘featuring’, the simple play on words that hints at the contents. The title shall be debossed, to give a tactile feel to the cover encouraging interactivity with the viewer. Upon first opening the book, it will appear empty – the nature of the French fold will be utilized to evoke the concepts of privacy and hiding. To gain entry to the content each French fold will have perforations that the viewer will have to tear to see the printed pages, immediately teasing them to interact with the book and the messages it is suggesting.
The content will be predominately the Polaroid’s, one of the person (if allowed) the other of the identifying feature. I have chosen to use Polaroid film specifically because of the instant nature of the film, the record of the photo and the moment enhances the nature of recording, collating, and suggesting.
The writing will be the answers to a series of questions regarding the feature and how they feel about it. The questions will not feature, to again put the thinking on the viewer – similar to the style adopted by the channel 4 idents – featuring celebrities being asked questions.
An example of the open questions I shall be asking the individuals. I have decided to keep them relatively open as I would like to gain as much information from each person.
Focusing on polaroids that are close up of the skin and it's texture - need to consider the distance for photographing in order to get the feature in focus. I'm going to use black and white film, to emphasise the nature of documentation and recording. I also think it will have more of a continuity aesthetically.
Images from - The Polaroid Book.
Morrison, Steve - 1 Torso T-55 Film
Basilico, Gabriele - Contact T-55 Film
Some examples of the people I interviewed, it was really interesting seeing how people dealt with being confronted with such a personal question, some were offended, some really enjoyed chatting about it, one was a photographer who explained in intimate detail how a boa constrictor had bit him under the armpit on a photo shoot. The interviews will enhance the depth to each picture as the viewer is allowed to find out about the narrative behind their features.
Following from the crit early I have been searching for an SX-70 land camera with manual focus, I have joined a variety groups and discussions on flickr. There are some serious fanatics. However the only ones on sale on ebay are from austria... I went to a couple of markets too, to no avail. After reading one specific discussion on flickr when one member asked for advice on faux polaroids it seemed to rub everyone up the wrong way, I can understand this purist attitude to keep the essence of polaroid alive, and I am very much of this opinion. However, I am in a somewhat sticky spot. After contacting a doctor I found out that dermatologists use digital cameras with a large lense to document scars and skin conditions. So I came round to the idea of using both my digital and polaroid camera, for the detailed shots I would have to use the digital lense. Although this is somewhat turning my back on the integrity of my concept to include polaroids and faking does seem very wrong. I had to make a compromise. So as a consequence of this project flickr has fuelled a desire in me to expand my polaroid camera collection and experiment with film and nd filters... I have also realised that sometimes you have to make compromises - a couple of people posted links that feature photoshop plug-ins for polaroid films, but I didn't really like them so instead I just placed them on top of the other original scanned in polaroid frame. Below is an example of the SX-70, that I am goign to hunt down.
The grid used will be crisp but slightly unconventional, taking inspiration from the Die Neue Typographie journal designed by Jan Tschichold a two column grid that are overlaid on each other to create a third smaller column. The use of a grid will create organise something human, something unique – creating a designed archive.
One of my favourite layouts, a clean grid that is dynamic and balanced shall play around at how it fits onto a square page, another differentation will be the typeface, I think for the tone of voice I want to create for the book I should use quite a classic serif typeface, this may also soften this template grid.
A couple of trials. As for the registration - it will be printed on the interior of the french fold, so as to enhance the concept of privacy and hiding, the fore edge will be perforated encouraging the viewer to tear the page in order to view the content.
The final grid layout, after Luke mentioned that the body text could mirror the shape of the polaroid, I played around with a grid that could handle potentially two polaroids, and two columns of text. The result is quite a simple layout, however I feel it lets the other graphic elements of the book stand out, the photographs and interviews are cleanly documented.
Regarding the perforation, I have searched for a perforating machine that will allow small circles, shown in the image below, but the only ones available are industry size. One printer offered their services to make a bespoke mould, however at £300, I felt the perforating tool I found would have to do. So a slight compromise but the feeling of intrusion will remain.
An example of an old perforating machine, no modern day printers seem to do this as part of their finishing services?
: 28/05 - Debossing for the front cover- finished, the results will be posted soon.
: 31/05 - Managed to find the right paper stock for the book from Falkners Book Store - opted for Morton 115g, off white.
The lighter grammage will bind more tightly and be lighter for the french fold design - and also for when it has been torn.
Picked up fray not for the interior spine, and searched everywhere for circle perforators...
To do:
Gather more interviews & polaroids - perhaps consider alternative camera?
Call Holby Craft Centre regarding perforator
Email Tanya Peixoto - regarding selling the published Ltd Edition of Featuring.
Some of the photos featured:
One of my favourite identifying features was this man who had chipped his tooth thai boxing, they were part of the entertainers on southbank so were really friendly and din'tmind me sitting and chatting with them.
: The introduction to featuring:
The emergence of digital communication networks has revolutionised societies conceptual framework of privacy on a global scale. In light of the striking proliferation of online communication, it has become increasingly apparent that a significant demographic of society wish to belong to this phenomenon, forever changing our perception of identity, privacy, and our understanding of communication.
As the virtual platform for communication expands it has been suggested that consequently our traditional concept of community is disintegrating. Whilst people are becoming more fearful of borders being invaded on both an individual and national scale, conversely we are allowing boundaries of privacy to be pushed within virtual realms.
Featuring focuses on our changing perception of privacy and how this shapes perceptions of our own identity using the documentation of strangers identifying features through both photography and interviews. These specific techniques were used to push the boundaries of personal space, both physically and mentally. By asking strangers about their identifying features and what they meant to the person immediately gave me a sense of their character and how comfortable they were when confronted about something so personal. The interviewing technique was structured to allow individuals to talk about their experiences encouraging open communication.
This edition of featuring documents the intrusion of privacy within reality. The following edition of featuring will explore the intrusion of privacy on a virtual level. The two editions aim to comment on the juxtaposition of current perceptions of privacy regarding the two social platforms.
Featuring : A social commentary on contemporary societies changing perceptions of privacy and identity.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES:
To research contemporary issues regarding communication focusing specifically on the relationship between privacy and identity. To collaborate with strangers through pushing their boundaries of personal space both physically and metaphorically. To uncover the rhetorics of the phenomenom of digital communication through studying people in reality and consequently within a virtual realm to make a comparative study.
RESEARCH:
: The concept of privacy and how this could be visualised.
: The concept of contemporary identity.
: Past work on boundaries.
: Psychological studies on privacy.
: The impact of technology on privacy as a whole.
: Documenting strangers identifying features, through photography and interviews.
The inspiration for my research into privacy and the evloving notion of communication in both virtual and the real world, the work featured here is by Made Thought, it was entered into the D&AD awards as a colloborative piece.
Graphic Issue 138 June 2006
The following article I feel could be helpful when visualising the information from my quantitative research.
The book Ctrl + Space focuses on the impact of surveillance, featuring was an installation that covertly encouraged the audience to feel awkward by placing a television outside a toilet door displaying three urinals, making you aware that you are about to be filmed entering the toilets. However when you enter there is only two urinals and in the corner a miniture model of the toilets is being filmed and transmitted to the television outside. Although this sort of installation is playing with you to encourage you to feel particular feelings, I also think there is underlying messages regarding the diminishing boundaries of privacy we now own. I would like to create something that would subtly provoke the audience into thinking about the topic.
Following some internet research on how different individuals deal with privacy I have contacted a friend of mine studying psychology. He sent me back some really interesting articles regarding personal space, and computer surveillance.
Focusing on the relationship between privacy and identity, I have documented strangers identifying features, using both photography and short interviews. Through doing this I am commenting on the current perception of privacy and identity, the emergence of digital communication networks and how this has revolutionized societies conceptual framework of privacy on global scale. Therefore I am intrigued as to how strangers will feel when asked to expose something physically and have it recorded. I am also interested in physical pecceptions and how we sometimes we have to establish and understand what we are not so that we can place who we are.
I intend to design and make a book to record my findings. The book will be called ‘featuring’, the simple play on words that hints at the contents. The title shall be debossed, to give a tactile feel to the cover encouraging interactivity with the viewer. Upon first opening the book, it will appear empty – the nature of the French fold will be utilized to evoke the concepts of privacy and hiding. To gain entry to the content each French fold will have perforations that the viewer will have to tear to see the printed pages, immediately teasing them to interact with the book and the messages it is suggesting.
The content will be predominately the Polaroid’s, one of the person (if allowed) the other of the identifying feature. I have chosen to use Polaroid film specifically because of the instant nature of the film, the record of the photo and the moment enhances the nature of recording, collating, and suggesting.
The writing will be the answers to a series of questions regarding the feature and how they feel about it. The questions will not feature, to again put the thinking on the viewer – similar to the style adopted by the channel 4 idents – featuring celebrities being asked questions.
An example of the open questions I shall be asking the individuals. I have decided to keep them relatively open as I would like to gain as much information from each person.
Focusing on polaroids that are close up of the skin and it's texture - need to consider the distance for photographing in order to get the feature in focus. I'm going to use black and white film, to emphasise the nature of documentation and recording. I also think it will have more of a continuity aesthetically.
Images from - The Polaroid Book.
Morrison, Steve - 1 Torso T-55 Film
Basilico, Gabriele - Contact T-55 Film
Some examples of the people I interviewed, it was really interesting seeing how people dealt with being confronted with such a personal question, some were offended, some really enjoyed chatting about it, one was a photographer who explained in intimate detail how a boa constrictor had bit him under the armpit on a photo shoot. The interviews will enhance the depth to each picture as the viewer is allowed to find out about the narrative behind their features.
Following from the crit early I have been searching for an SX-70 land camera with manual focus, I have joined a variety groups and discussions on flickr. There are some serious fanatics. However the only ones on sale on ebay are from austria... I went to a couple of markets too, to no avail. After reading one specific discussion on flickr when one member asked for advice on faux polaroids it seemed to rub everyone up the wrong way, I can understand this purist attitude to keep the essence of polaroid alive, and I am very much of this opinion. However, I am in a somewhat sticky spot. After contacting a doctor I found out that dermatologists use digital cameras with a large lense to document scars and skin conditions. So I came round to the idea of using both my digital and polaroid camera, for the detailed shots I would have to use the digital lense. Although this is somewhat turning my back on the integrity of my concept to include polaroids and faking does seem very wrong. I had to make a compromise. So as a consequence of this project flickr has fuelled a desire in me to expand my polaroid camera collection and experiment with film and nd filters... I have also realised that sometimes you have to make compromises - a couple of people posted links that feature photoshop plug-ins for polaroid films, but I didn't really like them so instead I just placed them on top of the other original scanned in polaroid frame. Below is an example of the SX-70, that I am goign to hunt down.
The grid used will be crisp but slightly unconventional, taking inspiration from the Die Neue Typographie journal designed by Jan Tschichold a two column grid that are overlaid on each other to create a third smaller column. The use of a grid will create organise something human, something unique – creating a designed archive.
One of my favourite layouts, a clean grid that is dynamic and balanced shall play around at how it fits onto a square page, another differentation will be the typeface, I think for the tone of voice I want to create for the book I should use quite a classic serif typeface, this may also soften this template grid.
A couple of trials. As for the registration - it will be printed on the interior of the french fold, so as to enhance the concept of privacy and hiding, the fore edge will be perforated encouraging the viewer to tear the page in order to view the content.
The final grid layout, after Luke mentioned that the body text could mirror the shape of the polaroid, I played around with a grid that could handle potentially two polaroids, and two columns of text. The result is quite a simple layout, however I feel it lets the other graphic elements of the book stand out, the photographs and interviews are cleanly documented.
Regarding the perforation, I have searched for a perforating machine that will allow small circles, shown in the image below, but the only ones available are industry size. One printer offered their services to make a bespoke mould, however at £300, I felt the perforating tool I found would have to do. So a slight compromise but the feeling of intrusion will remain.
An example of an old perforating machine, no modern day printers seem to do this as part of their finishing services?
: 28/05 - Debossing for the front cover- finished, the results will be posted soon.
: 31/05 - Managed to find the right paper stock for the book from Falkners Book Store - opted for Morton 115g, off white.
The lighter grammage will bind more tightly and be lighter for the french fold design - and also for when it has been torn.
Picked up fray not for the interior spine, and searched everywhere for circle perforators...
To do:
Gather more interviews & polaroids - perhaps consider alternative camera?
Call Holby Craft Centre regarding perforator
Email Tanya Peixoto - regarding selling the published Ltd Edition of Featuring.
Some of the photos featured:
One of my favourite identifying features was this man who had chipped his tooth thai boxing, they were part of the entertainers on southbank so were really friendly and din'tmind me sitting and chatting with them.
: The introduction to featuring:
The emergence of digital communication networks has revolutionised societies conceptual framework of privacy on a global scale. In light of the striking proliferation of online communication, it has become increasingly apparent that a significant demographic of society wish to belong to this phenomenon, forever changing our perception of identity, privacy, and our understanding of communication.
As the virtual platform for communication expands it has been suggested that consequently our traditional concept of community is disintegrating. Whilst people are becoming more fearful of borders being invaded on both an individual and national scale, conversely we are allowing boundaries of privacy to be pushed within virtual realms.
Featuring focuses on our changing perception of privacy and how this shapes perceptions of our own identity using the documentation of strangers identifying features through both photography and interviews. These specific techniques were used to push the boundaries of personal space, both physically and mentally. By asking strangers about their identifying features and what they meant to the person immediately gave me a sense of their character and how comfortable they were when confronted about something so personal. The interviewing technique was structured to allow individuals to talk about their experiences encouraging open communication.
This edition of featuring documents the intrusion of privacy within reality. The following edition of featuring will explore the intrusion of privacy on a virtual level. The two editions aim to comment on the juxtaposition of current perceptions of privacy regarding the two social platforms.
