WEEK 1

Mirrors and Windows

Week 1- Mirrors and Windows: Text

Self Portrait- Nikita Meek

The mirror analogy is prevalent in most pieces of my practice. At present, I am beginning to be at peace with myself and heal my mind. The photograph above is a depiction of being at peace with one's self, and my journey of recovery. The location is paramount to the piece as the beach is where my mind feels at peace. Additionally, the waves epitomise the ebbs and flows of my mental health.

Week 1- Mirrors and Windows: Image

MIRRORS AND WINDOW REFLECTION

Photography has evolved exponentially, especially in the past decade with the advancements in mobile technology. The ‘mirror’ and ‘window’ analogy pre- 2000s epitomised the nature of photography:
‘In metaphorical terms, the photograph is seen either as a mirror — a romantic expression of the photographer's sensibility as it projects itself on the things and sights of this world; or as a window — through which the exterior world is explored in all its presence and reality.’ (Szarkowski, 1978: 2)
The metaphorical analogy of mirrors and windows relates to the reflection of both personal thoughts and opinions of the photograph (mirrors) or the documentation process of events from realistic perspective (windows).
However, in recent years the ideology of ‘mirrors’ and ‘windows’ seems outdated with the advancements in technology. The illusion of modern-day photography contributes to the media saturation of society contradicts the honest portrayal of the mirror and window analogy. ‘The photographic fakery is having a significant impact in many areas of society. Doctored photographs are appearing in tabloids and fashion magazines, government media […]’ (Farid, 2019: ix) the distortion of reality is synonymous today, fig. 1 and 2, hence a need for a shift in analogy.

Week 1- Mirrors and Windows: Text

Week 1- Mirrors and Windows: Pro Gallery

Considering the term ‘through the looking glass’ (Carroll, 1871) could be contemplated as a better term, the warped perception of a hype-realistic with slight indifferences from the truth: ‘similar to looking out from inside the mirror to find a world both recognizable and yet turned inside-out.’ (Burke, 2017) reflecting an accurate representation of photography.

Nonetheless, the metaphorical perspective of ‘the looking glass’ (Carroll, 1871) is not an analogy that my work resides beside. The multifaceted element of photography makes it harder for me to identify with either the ‘mirror’ or the ‘window,’ depending on the theme of the work. Despite this, in recent years, I have gravitated toward the ‘mirror’ perspective by turning the camera on myself to reflect my internal dialogue as an approach to healing through therapeutic measures. Through photography, the therapeutic aspect is my motivation to develop my experimental practice to push the boundaries of my work as momentarily my work has become stagnated by over-complication/ hyper fixation of perfectionism. I am hoping to make mistakes and learning how to not fixate on imperfection.

Reference List:

Burke, M., 2017. Through The Looking Glass: Finding Light at the End of the Rabbit Hole - Singer Burke. [online] Singer Burke. Available at: <https://singerburke.com/looking-glass-finding-light-end-rabbit-hole/> [Accessed 30 May 2022].

Carroll, L. and Blake, P., 2006. Alice through the looking-glass. London: Merrell.

Farid, H., 2019. Fake Photos. MIT Press

Szarkowski, John (1978). Press release for Mirrors and Windows: American Photography since 1960, July 1978, New York: MoMA.

List of Figures

Fig. 1 Olito, F., 2021. 12 of the worst Kardashian and Jenner photo editing fails of all time. [online] Insider. Available at: <https://www.insider.com/kardashian-photo-editing-fails-2019-4> [Accessed 30 May 2022].

Fig. 2 Demarchelier, P., 2015. A Year In Vogue: 2015. [online] British Vogue. Available at: <https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/vogue-covers-2015-comment-editors> [Accessed 30 May 2022].

Week 1- Mirrors and Windows: Text