Congratulations. It must have been great to see your work come together like this. I really enjoyed the video presentation. Strong images and fitting music. (And a can't-miss verse from Rumi.)
Thanks John. You'd be happy that I actually took your advice and didnt post the presentation before the exhibit. The exhibition was alright. Since it was all student work, there werent many gallery owners or collectors present. However the work was greatly appreciated. Unfortunately we dont have a culture yet where people collect/buy photography as enthusiastically as paintings. Its changing but I think it will take time. I am more interested in getting this work known internationally and still finding out ways how to go about it.
Music did play a big role. I have always been inspired by film and music. Its strange but I cant think of many photographers that have inspired me too much aside from maybe Ansel Adams, HCB, Alex Webb and a few more. Most of my visual inspiration comes from people like Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, Melville, and most of the legendary film makers where music played an immense role in captivating the audiences in their films. The combination of an image with music makes me express a certain emotion far better than just the image itself. It could be argued though but thats generally how I feel about my work. Thats precisely why the music is carefully chosen.
The final shot is arresting for its apparent incongruity. What's your thinking about including a person and putting that shot last?
I've had people ask me the same question. Some said it doesnt fit rest of the photographs. Its the only image which is black and white and has a human figure. For me its a self portrait and represents the concept of departure from this world. After we have lived our part in this world, we leave alone with nothing but our deeds and in the final moments we remember all that we regret and cherish. It ties up to the overall concept of the thesis which is my state of being and how I see the world around me. The sense of detachment to the material world is perhaps immense in the final moments and hence it’s the final image of the presentation. The presentation starts with an image of a closed window and the next image resembles an alien face. Perhaps these are the only three images that have a narrative where we begin the journey by entering into my space which is very private and reserved, a face that resembles how I feel with the world around me and the final image where I leave the world with nothing but a suit which represents what I have said and done in the world. Everything else in between is a journey through my state of being and how I try and express different feelings.
Were you pursuing this course of study with professional or personal intentions?
I entered the program knowing nothing but the fact that I want to pursue photography professionally. The realization that I want to do the thesis on my existence came at a later stage where I actually realized why I shoot what I shoot. I cant comprehend fashion or any other commercial means of photography, for me its a personal journey and hence fine art is the only way for me to progress. If I do intend to take commercial projects, they would be industrial or architecture based as I can relate to those things at a personal level. So lets see where my luck takes me.
Zee