PROJECTS –
This photo series captures the feelings that come with struggling from mental illness. More specifically, it is a representation of isolation and the emotional weight of depression. Depression can feel dark, isolating, and suffocating. It is a silent struggle that is difficult to overcome, which is displayed in the series.
“Series of Isolation”
2nd Semester of Freshman Year
Portrait Photography Final
Through this series, I wanted to highlight the weight of depression. I wanted to capture how I view depression/isolation visually. The dark colors and use of water are visual elements that I associate with the struggles of mental illness.
This photo book captures a series of anonymous confessions from real people about their personal struggles with mental health. The premise is to voice the unheard thoughts and feelings of others and provide insight on how difficult it can be to live with mental illness. Each confession is accompanied by a photo.
Thing Left Unsaid
Integrated Design Studio 2 Final
With this book, I wanted to provide a voice for those who feel as if they do not have an outlet to share their deepest (and darkest) thoughts. The idea was to have those who submitted their confessions to feel heard. I took photos to correlate with the confessions to portray their feelings visually.
Dream Scream Zine is a space for aspiring creatives to come together. The goal is for everyone to have a voice regardless of who you are. The zine features music, fashion, art, photography, and everything else.
Dream Scream Zine
Creatives & Entrepreneurship Final
As a graphic designer/photographer, I was interested in creating a zine to promote the works of emerging artists and designers. I decided to pursue this idea because it is one that I have been wanting to establish for a while. I think that creating a zine will give me the freedom to create while simultaneously uplifting other designers/creatives. Currently, zines are a popular trend amongst young artists. It’s a way to gain exposure but also celebrate creatives.
DESIGNER STATEMENT –
As an artist and designer I am interested in combining my creative interests with mental health awareness and making people feel seen. I want to be able to pursue something creative but also uplift others in the process. I often let my own experiences and the experiences of others inform my own process. I am interested in finding out how to integrate all of my interests to form a sustainable practice, but also while being creative.
OBJECT –
Aura cam
An aura camera captures the distinctive energy that surrounds a person. It is an object that translates auras into the physical world. With an Aura camera, the electromagnetic energy that comes off a person’s body is displayed and transformed into a fuzzy and colorful portrait. Often, a headshot is taken of a person and when the photo is developed it portrays a surrounding halo of color (which, is the person’s aura). A person’s aura is based off of how one feels in the moment, so throughout time an aura image can change when taken again.
Aura photography was born out of Kirlian photography; which is when an object is electrified and photographed. It’s popularity sprung in the 1970s when interest peaked in new age subculture (such as crystal and energy healing). During this time, scientist Guy Coggins developed his own camera system using techniques from Kirlian photography. The camera, the AuraCam 3000, was developed by Coggins and a team of clairvoyants to transform electrical input into the bright colors of an aura. The aura camera itself is shaped like a box. On the inside is a traditional polaroid camera that captures the portrait and prints it. The setup requires two hand plates, a dark background, and a dark space to shoot in. Typically, the equipment can cost up to $16,000.
During a 10-second double exposure, subjects place each hand upon the hand plates. The hand plates collects the electrical output the subject is producing and feeds it to the camera. The camera itself has no control over the f-stop or shutter speed, meaning the setting has to be dark in order for the frequencies to be translated into certain colors. Depending on the amount of electrical output produced, a unique algorithm of colors is displayed, which is the aura.
What makes an aura image special is how personalized it is to each individual. Each color can be interpreted differently, but typically there is a general meaning for each aura color. The position of the color matters as well. If the colors show up on the left side of the image, it’s an outward energy. If it’s on the right, it’s their interior energy. Colors above the head reflect their present energy.
