Human interactions are dynamic and fluid, changing over time. How is it that we can share the same moments and proximate space, but ultimately have different experiences and memories? In my work, I use altered photographic negatives as a medium to highlight the distance in human connections and interactions. My process begins by using film as a proxy for relationships. A pinhole camera exploits long exposures that force the film to be in a state of constant sensitivity, creating images that could not be rendered otherwise. By physically layering two sheets of film together during exposure, I am constructing a connection that inevitably will be severed. I ‘blindly’ adhere remnants from the body and nature onto the unexposed film, creating intimacy and connection through the sense of physical touch. Remnants attached to the film project onto and block each other, hindering complete exposures. These images, layered and fragmented, often show locations or people that are close to me. At different stages of processing, items degrade and disappear, leaving one to consider what is absent and what is present. Whether they are working together or separately, their creation as a seamless indexical moment references the distance and loss of a past connection. Each empty moment requires the viewer to consider what is missing; like our memories of past conversations, only traces may remain.
Image of Altered Negatives 1 & 2 (insect). Large format film with bumble bee, leaves, branch, thread, plastic, and tape.
Altered Negative 1 (insect). Large format film with bumble bee, leaves, branch, thread, plastic, and tape.
Altered Negative 2 (insect). Large format film.
Altered Negative 1 (leaf). Large format film with leaf and thread.
Altered Negative 2 (leaf). Large format film.
Altered Negative 1 (bunny). Large format film with butterfly wing, hair, thread, and tape.
Altered Negative 1 (bunny). Detail.
Altered Negative 1 (window). Large format film with hair, orchid petal, strawberry begonia, and thread.
Altered Negative 2 (window). Large format film.
Image of Altered Negatives 1 & 2(oak). Large format film with oak sapling, dirt, tape, glass, and wood, 7 ¼” x 6 ¼” x 1 ½”
Altered Negative 1 (oak). Large format film with oak sapling, dirt, and tape.
Altered Negative 2 (oak). Large format film.
Altered Negative 1 (ladies). Large format film with asian lady beetles, hair, glue, and tape.
Altered Negative 2 (ladies). Large format film.
Altered Negative 1 (pine). Large format film with pine branch, pine needles, dehydrated clementine, thread, and tape.
Altered Negative 2 (pine). Large format film.
Altered Negative 1 (mushroom). Large format film with various mushrooms, moss, dirt, thread, and tape.
Altered Negative 1 (mushroom). Detail.
Altered Negative 1 (grass). Large format film with grass, cut film, and tape.
Altered Negative 2 (grass). Large format film.
Image of Altered Negatives 1 & 2 (hali). Large format film with butterfly wing, hair, old negative, thread, and tape.
Altered Negative 1 (hali). Large format film with butterfly wing, hair, old negative, thread, and tape.
Altered Negative 2 (hali). Large format film.
Altered Negative 1 (wing). Large format film with butterfly wing, small bird wing, old negative, thread, and tape.
Altered Negative 2 (wing). Large format film.
Altered Negative 1 (bee). Large format film with bumble bee, seedpods, x-ray, staple, plastic, thread, and tape.
Altered Negative 1 (bee). Detail.
Altered Negative 1 (sandy). Large format film with human hair, dog hair, fox bone, and thread.
Altered Negative 2 (sandy). Large format film.