Something that has plagued me for quite some time now has been my role as a consumer and producer in this world. I can't pin point the exact moment when I was made aware – or became aware – of this concern, but it's occupied my mind for a while.
I'm sure growing up in the current technological revolution that walks hand in hand with an environmental and economical crisis has had more than a little to do with the shaping of my opinions. I also grew up in a very conscientious household – my mother recycled, my dad biked to work, etc. Throughout high school I myself was in various environmental clubs and activist groups.
So I suppose it's only natural that I would want to incorporate not only awareness but activeness into my work. From the very beginning of my self discovery as a photographer, I've wanted to create awareness. All of my college and scholarship essays were about “showing the world to itself” through my photos and writing. And while I'd still love love love to do this...
Some things have changed. Mainly my values and feelings about what I need to do with my life to make it meaningful. I still have the general “me-ness” to me, but I've been doing a lot of thinking and a lot of fine tuning. And somehow I'm still nowhere near the finished results.
Anyway, currently I'm feeling like I need to expand myself culturally in order to create the most true and beneficial work for not only myself but for my fellow world citizens. I also can't be entirely happy or content with myself if I remain as involved in the consumerism world as I am.
Who knows, maybe I'll go become a farmer and take photos of cows.
I always really appreciate your blog posts by the way. ha
ReplyDeleteBut I enjoy your stance on your cultural surroundings and consumerism. You're brave to try and face off against it. It's a big adversary to have and I applaud you for it. :)
so are you cutting yoruself off from the material world? is that what you're saying? this would be kinda interesting to witness, and maybe help with. are you looking more towards the Nan Goldin approach and photograph the things, the comings and goings, of certain life-happens, innerworkings of human interactions and their consequences instances? Or are you looking like a depression-era photographer, and photograph the ugly sides of the world and reveal it to the public?
ReplyDeleteIts impossible to cut yourself off from materials, unless your dead. Materials are all around you. You will never get away from them.
ReplyDeleteAlthough you can limit your acceptance of technology. thats my opinion anyway