PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT -1 (An Old Timey Photo Montage)
This photographic portrait was inspired by one of Nicholas’s favourite fictional characters, Eva Khatchadourian, from We Need To Talk About Kevin.
I asked him to dress up as Eva Khatchadourian, using his own clothes, and pose as her. Meanwhile, I created a set completely out of red objects, keeping in mind his love for matching colours, and mat textures. The objects used to create the set were all either found, borrowed or scavenged which was a method compatible with his habit of thrift shopping, and then pulling off his purchases so that they look high fashion. (For instance that gorgeous red skirt with e lace hem that he sports in the folowing pictures is just 8 dollars!). Also I picked the colour red because I watched the movie, and noticed how the colour factors an extremely important role in each scene. I tried to use elements from household objects( a box of lucky charms) to office objects ( a bright red folder), because those are the objects that would be associated with Eva, as a mother who also works.
Here is a more composite list of all the objects I used :
I tend to need to write in order to think, and hence ended up taking lots of notes to reason my choices while constructing this portrait. I cannot possibly type out all those pages journal pages so I scanned them instead.
constructing the set:
Some of the pictures I clicked for this piece. (There were 122):
After planning the theme, narrative, content, and medium of the portrait, I started trying to shortlist the most powerful images from all the 122 pictures that I had taken for the same shot.
I decided to use the number 13 for the number of final images.
The following are the shortlisted images.
The images were then recropped, the lighting editted, and a few more close up shots were added to preserve the sense of pathos, without being too distracted by the various elements of the set.
Then came the process of digitally recropping images, editing them , and putting them together in a purposely choppy video montage of sorts, set to the tune of Buddy Holy’s yesterday, A very carefully selected tune.
I wanted the soundtrack that accompanies the piece to be really loving, cheerful and happy, while showcasing a reel of still depicting this mother, who has suffered emotional abuse at the hands of her son, all his life, and his struggling to stay afloat, to emphasize the sense of discord in the narrative and make the experience even more jarring for the audience.
Finally came the movie itself.
I wish to engage all senses of the audience, when they watch the film and hence, I intend to request them to taste just a smidgen of a super secret mystery substance. Of course, if someone feels uncomfortable doing so, they don’t have to. And everyone must let me know their allergies before tasting it.
My only intention behind doing this is to elicit a feeling of momentary fear and thrill while watching the movie, as the viewer’s put themselves in the vulnerable position of placing something they do not recognize on their tongue.
