I am BAD. TERRIBLE. BEHIND.
But I have started to think how close the deadlines are and how much I have to tell people, show people and discover.
So I will develop a plan, that will be the proof that I am on the FinalMajorProject track.
WHAT IS MY FMP ABOUT:
Funeral photography first was as a taking a mick out of the unavoidable process of dying, therefore recording it in the same manner as we would for wedding photography. It is acceptable form of photography, photographers making money out of someone’s “happy” moment, taking advantage of the people wanting the best possible day, resources and therefore -recordings of the BIG day.
Just to note, the definition for the “take the mick out of someone” is provided below:
“This phrase is not new; the full phrase is “to take the Mickey (out of someone)”
Britons have been using this figure of speech for decades, if not centuries. A “Mickey” of course, is a “Mick”: a pejorative, racist term for an Irishman (so nicknamed because so many Irish surnames begin with Mc- or Mac-) It is a common stereotype, in both the UK and USA, that Irish men have volatile tempers, like to brawl, and make good boxers. So, To “take the Mickey (out of someone)” means to take the fight, the vigor, the gravity, the self-importance out of them, by mocking them, usually in a very subtle way.”
source – Definition for “taking the mick out of”
To summarize-originally the project covers aspects of funerals, burying, saying goodbye, preparation of the dead using styles such as documentary, portraiture and photojournalism.
The idea and starting point is a reflection of my own experiences with funerals growing up in Latvia.
Ideas have developed further as to photograph memorials, dying or terminally ill people, their belongings/life/stories, graveyards, hospitals,hospices, old people homes ect.
The main purpose is to speak about the death through imagery, have a conversation about the unavoidable, show the bold and the horrible, but maintain the ethical order of approaching and speaking with participants. Also important to remember – every life needs celebrating, regardless of how short or long it has been, we need to celebrate great things, bad things, mistakes made, children raised and discoveries made. Even better if you have won a NOBLE prize, if not, we can celebrate that you made this world a better place for someone.
This project is challenging, terrifying and bod, but I my gut tells me that I can become a better and wiser earthling, I might even help someone to get over a loss and remember, but I can also get my face punched and make someone’s day miserable….
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR:
I have some research found, books bought:
- Audrey Linkman “Photography and Death”
- The Photographers Gallery “Notes on Photography and Death: Mourning, Spectacle and Evidence.”
- Gillo Dorfles “Religious trapping” -essay
- Liz Wells “Photography, birth and death” – chapter
- Liz Wells “Post-family, post – photography” +Joe Spence
- Frieze Magazine “Moments of Reprieve; Representing Loss in Contemporary Photography”
- TVnet and Latvian Funeral materials – reflections – cultural research and personal experiences
I have visited funeral directory office
- SIA “Velis-A” – REFLECTIONS TO COME ON DA BLOG
I have visited a funeral [without a valid permit]
- PHOTOGRAPHS AND REFLECTIONS TO COME ON DA BLOG
I have visited two graveyards
- one of the largest graveyards in city I grew up in [Jelgava]
- the graveyard where my relatives from father’s side are buried. It is important to note, that as I was growing up, my dad always pushed me to visit relatives on all festive occasions and their birth/death days. [there is more info to follow in depth]
I have visited morgue and had an interview with the pathologist
- PHOTOGRAPHS AND REFLECTIONS TO COME ON DA BLOG
- REFLECTIONS FROM THE INTERVIEW WITH PATHOLOGIST AND DIRECTOR OF THE MORGUE TO COME ON DA BLOG
PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS TO LOOK AT:
- Joe Spencer
- Colin Gray
- Walter Schels
- Joel Peter Witkin
- Sophie Calle
- Bill Viola
- Sally Man
- Beate Lakotta
- Dr. Stanley Burns “Sleeping Beauty” [book]
PLACES TO CONTACT [crucial to do this ASAP]:
- Marie Curie
- NHS Choices, End of Life Care [recently news reported that the institution is failing to provide care, BBC news]
- Macmillan – Castle Hill Hospital Cancer Informational Centre
- Dove House Hospice Hull
- City Health Care Partnership, Community Specialist Pallative Care Clinics
- Connect To Support Hull
Need to find more alternatives such as family run funeral directories ….
WHAT NEEDS DOING:
- STATEMENT OF INTENT or PROJECT PORPOSAL
- JOHN BULMER REFLECTIONS – BLOG
- INTERNAL EXHIBITING – BLOG
- EXTERNAL EXHIBITING -BLOG
- TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROBLEMS – BLOG
- HEALTH AND SAFETY, IN MY CASE ALSO ETHICS ON HANDLING MY PROJECT – BLOG
- POST PRODUCTION [considering exhibiting] – BLOG
- PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES
- GROUP CRITIC NOTES AND REFLECTIONS
- CULTURAL RESEARCH+MY OWN EXPERIENCES
- HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Also relevant to the working process is TIME MANAGEMENT in which I am failing at the moment, therefore I have to figure out when and how to start the FMP diary and link with previous notes.
OTHER IDEAS:
Photographing people’s belongings, pictures and memorials in the house using studio light treatment, creating specific mood.
Two ways of doing this:
- bring items into studio, using black surroundings and using spotlight to highlight items
- use Medium Format camera and 120 mm transparent film and get into their won environment using the spotlight.
AS THIS PLAN WAS AN ESSENTIAL STARTING POINT TO KICK OFF THE PROGRESS, I AM FEELING DETERMINED AND READY.
NEXT IMPORTANT MEETING WILL BE 11th OF MARCH WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP ME WITH CONTACTING THE ORGANISATIONS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY AND OTHER SUGGESTIONS.
NEXT STEP IS TO SUMMARIZE AND REFLECT ON THE LAST FUNERAL/GRAVEYARD AND MORGUE EXPERIENCES WITH PHOTOGRAPHS TO FOLLOW UP.
#breathnow
ANETE SOODA PHOTO 