Week 7

        

Elspeth Diederix: "computer"

Blogpost written by: Hannah Zimmerman

           For my week 7 blog post I am writing about a photograph titled “computer” taken by Elspeth Diederix.

Many of the photographs taken by Elspeth inspire my own work, which is why I choose to write about her work frequently. One of the elements that I admire about Eslpeth’s photography is the diversity found within it. She takes photos of many different things and people, all with a cohesive style, but each photograph narrates a different concept than the last.

I decided to write about this photograph because it read a similar to my photo of the week from week 6. It is a computer desk in what seems to be an office. It is only lit from the computer screen and some indirect dim lighting coming from the top of the photo. The desk is covered “things” that could be owned by whomevers computer it is in the picture. It is cluttered with a number of things, from a calculator, knickknacks, papers, markers etc. It could be described as a very messy computer desk. What is almost humorous about the picture is all the silly string sprayed on the desk and up onto the wall behind it. I really like this element because it feels like Elspeth is commenting on the messiness of this space and enhancing it with silly string. It feels like a “why not?” moment, to just spray silly string all over it because it is already covered in crap.

I think what I find interesting about it, is that I think of the owner of the desk having been the one to spray silly string all over the space. Then the photographer came across this computer desk and snapped a photograph of it. Also, this picture feels different than some of the other photographs of Elspeth’s that I have written about because of its more light-hearted and fun tone. She is still continuing her style of sometimes staging things and making small changes to cause the viewer to think about different concepts and possibilities. However, this picture just seems to be commenting on the idea of just making something that is already messy, more cluttered. I think the viewer could come up with ideas about spraying silly string over technology because they get tired of it. However, I do not read that from this photograph.

I usually struggle with taking photographs with more light-hearted content and with my art in general. This photograph still feels like the photographer is staying true to their style and metaphorical content, but was able to do it with a little more humor. This is something that I would like to achieve at some point within my own photographs, while still staying true to my work.

Elspeth’s photograph “computer” can be viewed here : http://www.elspethdiederix.com/

My photograph of the week: