Week 13

Elspeth Diederix: "flameflower" 

Blogpost written by: Hannah Zimmerman

For my final blogpost I have decided to write about Elspeth's photo titled "flameflower."

This photograph is in what appears to be a midwest or desert setting amongst some plants. At the center of the photograph is this flame flower. All of its buds are caught on flame and burning. The picture was taken while the flame was still orange and only burning where the buds are while the rest of the stems etc remained green and alive.

It seems as if Elspeth set each bud on fire and immediately took the photo before the flame over took the rest of the plant. This picture is really interesting because of how the flames are giving off smoke. Everything around the flower is alive and green and untouched by flame. The sky is blue and it seems to be a sunny day. 

I think the metaphor of a flower or plant catching on fire in what appears to be a warm climate is really cool. But also this photo makes me think about why its only this one plant and why it is just the buds that are on fire. It makes me wonder if Elspeth was trying to create a fictional plant whose buds, when bloomed, are just continually on fire or if she was trying to express a deeper idea. 

I read this picture as a deeper metaphor about the risk of fire around so much life and possibly why the flame was so contained. I also enjoyed how the smoke from the fire was trailing up into the blue setting in the background. Perhaps this picture is about the idea of contained and controlled risk. 

I really enjoyed looking at all of Elspeth's photos this semester and I will definitely keep up with her work as an artist. While photography isn't my main medium I learned that my subject matter can exist within the realm of photography by observing her work. I also learned a lot about metaphor and controlled manipulation of things to create a narrative and I will continue to strive to do that within my own work. 

Elspeth's photograph can be viewed here: http://www.elspethdiederix.com/

My photo of the week: 

Elspeth Diederix: "dashboard still life"

Blogpost by: Hannah Zimmerman 

For my 12th week blogpost I have decided to write about Elspeth Diederix's photo titled "dashboard still life." I chose to write about this photograph because I was drawn to the red and orange colors present within the picture. This photo was taken at night and the messy, but staged, dashboard is dimly lit from the car light above it. Things like small oranges, a paper coke cup, a CD and other food packaging can be seen. Not much else is going on in this picture.

I think what interested me most about this picture was its simple use of color to add interest. It almost seems minimalist to me because of the dark environment around the warm colors of the still life. I am approaching the end of my last semester in art school and for my final photography project the ideas I have are also minimal in visual content. While my own work for this last project is going to be heavy in meaning, unlike this photograph, it will be down to a few colors and what is happening within it, is also minimal. 

I wanted to write about a photograph that was different from others I have chosen this semester because it helps me come up with alternative ideas for my own work. 

I do think this picture has a warm tone in this well-used car, that someone uses on a daily basis. I think the objects in the car also can narrate the things the person who drives it likes and uses. I also think the feeling that this picture evokes is that late at night-peaceful feeling that people can experience in a quiet car. 

I really like the simplicity of this picture and Elspeth's continued interest in objects. 

Her photograph can be seen here: http://www.elspethdiederix.com/ 

My photo of the week: