Friday 19 November 2010

Week 75: Feral.

I've never felt the need to be so experimental with my work, and now really is not the time for that feeling. I want to be wild and original, but instead I must conform to what will suffice for my exhibition. The past few days have been annoying more than anything, mainly because I've been at home suffering from a touch of acute Laryngitis. It seems to be disappearing though, which means only one thing. On your marks, get set, go write your dissertation.

Thank you.
Daniel.



I took this on Portabello Road, London. It plays on the idea of what is a picture, what is a frame, cropping and illusion. Once again I'm going to have to leave the rest to you. Take it as a gift, rather than a chore.

Song listening to right now: Dream - Priscilla Ahn

Saturday 13 November 2010

Week 74: Linear.

So there is an argument about causation and destiny. The latter suggests that time is set for us in a linear fashion and that there is a preconceived beginning and an end to all things. However what if causation was part of that line. The line would then curve round into a circle and would suggest that everything is happening right now. The future and the past are happening right now. Everything we do will effect what happens in the future and therefore we are effecting the future right now. These theories are not set in stone, they are more like a Ven diagram, causation will effect destiny but destiny is being decided constantly. Yes, photography is the study of light, however they are a part of a symbiont mutualism. If light did not exist then time would not have any use in photography (which would be obsolete anyway). If time did not exist then light would not travel and therefore it would be non existent.

This has been my main trail of thought this week and needs to be expanded a little, I just had to write it down.

Thanks for reading this week.
Dan.



This is a visual representation of something that is of interest to me; perceiving time. It was taken in San Remo, Italy on 35mm. It is a slight illusion in itself, so I will leave it open to your own visual interpretation.

Song listening to right now: Boiled Frogs - Alexisonfire

Monday 1 November 2010

Week 73: Economaclypse.

I have been thinking about culture and representation. After watching "Mugabe and the White African" I was inspired to look back over my archive of images. There were points in this documentary film that made me question the definition of a culture. In Africa, the white farmers are being forced out of their lifestyles by militia and Mugabe's associates so that their business can be taken over by non-qualified violent groups. They do not necessarily have the skill to run the farms they take over, but because they are black then Mugabe is happy for them to kill and drive out the white farmers who have built up an efficient agricultural business and lifestyle that actually benefits Mugabe himself.

Okay, so for example if you ask someone "Can you be truly be white and be Australian?" most people would answer "Yes, of course. Everyone in Australia is white." What if we asked the question "Can you be black and be British?" again the majority of people would answer "Yes, of course. I know a lot of people who are black and are British. Are you asking me if I'm a racist?" However, if you were to ask Mugabe "Can you be White and be African?" they answer would simply be "No. They (referring to the white people) make us (referring to the black) feel like an extension of the British Empire. Remember apartheid."

Mugabe himself is a hypocrite, this idea is just as disgusting as the apartheid. It is in itself an ethnic cleanse. He is not doing it for the benefit of Africa either, believe me, they could do with these experienced farmers. He is doing it as a dictator, for control, intimidation and fear. I would seriously recommend people to watch "Mugabe and the White African." It provoked so many thoughts and comparisons. Even if you do not know much about this conflict it is a brilliant piece of filming.

The point is that this week, I have been looking at why certain areas of the world have turned out the way they have due to political choices. This goes hand in hand with the recession and economic status.

Thanks.
Dan.



I'm starting to feel the economic climate right now. It hadn't hit me at first, it felt like a myth or something that was very far off. I still feel that some people are still over spending on luxuries and living past their needs, however I feel that I am insignificant in helping this situation. I would like to say that lack of money isn't a problem, but if I am to completely route most of my problems back to one single thing it would be money. I remember a quote from Tim Burton's 2005 version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

"Grandpa George: There's plenty of money out there. They print more every day."

Perhaps there is a truth behind what Grandpa George was saying, but it is being held back by opportunity. If I want to see any of that Green, Orange or Purple then I have to seize as many opportunities as possible. I do realise that his point was that money is essentially a superfluous and trivial material. On the other hand, not a lot of people realise this and in most cases that has crafted social status. These people are mainly politicians, who have now technically become dictators. They control money. Just look at the budget cuts.

I know a lot of what I have spoken about this week is very global and I am insignificant compared to these issues. I realise I can do nothing to change the world, I am merely expressing my interest in it. In a sense, the subjects of every post in this blog is what I constantly think about. I am constantly in fear of the world collapsing, but I have hope in revolution which I shall never discuss on here.

Song listening to right now: Prayer - Disturbed