THEORY / IMAGES
|
In the
urban environment, portraits and landscapes are created from 'non-places
and spaces' and transitional, displaced moments, where the population
is always involved but is not apparent -- leaving behind echoes of a
society moving in and out. It is the figure in space, without being
evident. Areas and moments that are raw, common and perhaps not worthy
of being immortalised on film, are captured using the method of 'free-photography'
and are left as abstractly picturesque and idiosyncratic. Her current photographic work is loosely based on the popular 'non-places and spaces' theory by Marc Augé. These 'non-places and spaces' are areas; though devoid of identity, history and relation, are only associated to it through the interaction of the population that brings to these 'spaces' a sense of identity, history and relation. Thus we can say that a 'place or space' can be defined by identity, relation and history. However, neither the 'place' nor the 'non-place' exists in a pure form, and yet the 'place' and the 'non-place' are opposing, which can never absolutely disappear or never be thoroughly established respectively. There is also an interest in the current state of non-permanence in modern society, which is very much highlighted in her research into the online and web-based cultures. In the not so distant past, stability was socially and culturally reinforced for the state of our 'supposed' wellbeing and success. There were strict codes of conduct for gender roles, permanency in our towns (or country) and loyalty to our jobs (or company). However, all this rigid parameters have broken down, giving way to the notion of adaptability and fluidity. It is now apparent that one's ability to adapt and be flexible to the changing environment will ensure one's ultimate survival and triumph, whether it means being able to uproot ourselves for the sake of an education, a job or a loved one. Even in the matters of health is the idea of fluidity thought to be optimal and beneficial for both mind and body. Her experiences of moving and travelling from a very early age serves to highlight the importance of being adaptable and stresses the non-permanence of every stage in life. She has always resided in cities and images of the metropolitan landscape are very common in many of her works. It is in such cosmopolitan environments that such 'non-places and spaces' are widespread through the development of airport terminals, mega-malls and universities. Four images of the series were first exhibited at the dislocation show in Sydney. The images vary in dimensions and range between 816 x 532mm to 816 x 1562mm to 1492 x 532mm. They are digital prints, mounted on Mylar film, and there are currently five in the re-edited series. |