Surveillance

Over the last few weeks there has been a change in subject matter within my project. It developed from unnoticed spaces to an aspect of surveillance. This development completely excites me and I'm really enjoying the kind of work I am now doing. Most of this work is now lens based. Photography and video are things I have little experience in and I am learning from this exploration.

 Following another tutorial and using the photos I took as reference, I began with videos of the colleges surveillance videos. I set up an camera and tripod and took a video for about a minute. Then using Windows Movie Maker I changed the colouring to black and white and slowed the video. The reason for this was that I wanted it to feel like it was dragging out, as if someone had been looking at the video for a long time. I liked that the piece was a video of a video, channeling films like Paranormal Activity. I feel like there is a eerie feeling from this. As the video would not upload, these are some stills:

Along with the video I took photos of the security cameras. For some I slowed the shutter speed. These were my results: 

Slow shutter and moving- blurred images

Slow shutter

Contextual Research- Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window strongly relates to my project and the theme of surveillance. It is about a wheelchair bound photographer who spies on his neighbours from his apartment window. He becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. It was released on the 14th January 1955. While shooting the film, Hitchcock only directed from 'Jeff's' apartment. I love some of the shots in this film, especially those from Jeff's view like through the camera lens.

Contextual Research- Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is about a young woman who steals $40,000 from her employers client. She encounters a young motel proprietor who is under the domination of his mother. This thriller was released on the 8th September 1960 and earned $15 million in its first year. My photographs reminded me of film stills and Alfred Hitchcock was the first director I chose to study. The theme, and specifically the shot of 'Norman' looking through the hole in the wall, I strongly relate to.

Week 9

In response to a tutorial I started to take more photographs of spaces outside the stairwell but still within the college. My tutors referred to this picture I took in the first few weeks. I'm looking at idea of the 'peeping tom' and watching from these spaces outwards. These were some the photographs in response to this: 

Contextual Research- Matthais Weischer

Matthais Weischer makes architectural installations that can only exist in two dimensions, using paint as the medium. There is an unrealistic, dreamlike quality to these interiors. This could also be enhanced by the lack of human interaction in each painting, they are like stage sets infused by abstract elements.

These first three examples are very simple interiors however not all of his work is like this. The last image is a perfect example of his busier paintings. I think the interior is very influenced by the 1960's.                                                                                                

                              

Contextual Research- James Casebere

Stairwell (1983)

Like Demand, Casebere constructs spaces and takes photos of these reconstructions. His work challenges reality, 'Casebere was drawn to construct his scenes of the past'. His early work explores the middle class home, led to the study of the suburbs. It also directed him to signal moment in the history of American architecture. The piece below strongly relates to my theme. Its clear Casebere looks at space and form.
I really the lack of colour in this piece, it reminds me of the stairwell i am studying in it natural lighting. It is an unfriendly space.

Green Staircase 2001

This photo from 1983 contrasts with the Green Staircase series from 2001. The subject is similar but there is an obvious development of style. What i like mose about this series in colour and how light bounces from the water and reflects onto the ceiling.