Artist Statement- After help from an Engligh T.A.

From accidental to intentional, scars tell a story about what a person has endured and hardships they have overcome. Scars are part of every person’s life and, more often than not, signify violence and are lasting physical deformities in a culture where sheer aesthetic perfection is the goal. There are some bearers of scars, those who display on command, make no efforts to conceal, and take pride in their presence, that can arguably be deemed as part of a subculture and their behavior, in regards to the display of their scars, unacceptable and taboo. Scars, therefore, naturally fold into the focus of my photographic work, which concentrates on the modern day freak, the performer, the re-invented carnie--those belonging to a subculture of individuals who possess physical and behavioral abnormalities and generally drives society to ignore, shun, avoid, fear and, marginalize. This particular visual study of scars is just one vein of an on going body of work that strives to push the taboo into the forefront artistic discussion. My goal is to allow people the opportunity to be intrigued, visually absorb, and engage in dialogue on those subjects that are typically prohibited in daily conversation.

*Special Thanks to Trista Edwards for helping me*
~*~Hayley~*~

Rough Artist Statement

This is a rough working artist statement for the Scars show at the Apache Cafe (see two posts back). Please feel free to give me feedback and help me to improve.

I focus much of my work on sub-cultural and taboo subjects. My art places parts of people that are often kept from public view into the limelight. I use fine art methods to bring less popularized subjects into a realm where, normally, they are not accepted. My goal is to allow people the opportunity to look and be intrigued by subjects that are usually “off limits” to discuss. With that being said, scars are a part of every person’s life. From accidental to intentional, scars tell a story about where the person has been and their hardships.

~*~Hayley~*~

Snow-pocolipse and Project Ideas.

Ok, So this week has been pretty freaking BORING! We are not "snowed in", we are ICED in. The main difference being snow is fun and ice is a week of being stuck in the house, and for those who are unaware, doing homework with a 4 year old running around is NEAR IMPOSSIBLE!!!
AHHHH!! Anywhoozle, I went out the first day after the pretty fluffy stuff came down and got some photos. (Posted at the top). There are also some mildly embarrassing photos of me sliding down the drive way in a box, in a rubbermaid bin, and on a lid. (those will not be posted). But off of the snow and ice, and on to some more serious news. I have hit dirty hippy stage yet again, except this time, it comes complete with crazy "artistic" clothing choices. (and apparently an ear infection...yay.. :-/) So for my studio class I have to have 5 ideas for an exhibition, two of which ideas will be explored in this class. Naturally I WILL be working on my senior show idea. (A photographic study of what it means to be a contemporary side show performer.) As for the other ideas I was thinking revisiting a few series that I had started and never quite finished. The first series would have to be the Scars. I feel like I can explore a juxtaposition of different textures to exaggerate the scars. I also feel like I can bring in more of a human element. Now for those who don't know this series, it is a portrait study of people's scars. The reasoning you ask, I want to take a different look at people and their lives through the scars they have received. Each scars tells a story of it's own, whether it be intentional or accidental. Next, I worked on a "happening" about a year ago called "POSE". The script basically reads "Take chair. Place chair. Sit down. Take photo. Leave photo." The idea is to promote art being in everyday life. The art of sitting, looking, and enjoying ones surroundings is explored. The original scripts calls for the sitter to leave their mark by leaving the photo. I took this into the new century by creating a facebook group. Another idea I had was to document people's obsessions. Everyone has their own personal "ticks". When I walk up stairs I have to touch the first step with my left foot and the last with my right; going down the stairs is the opposite. I have done this my entire life. I know people who have to touch their food twice when they set it in their buggy. These obsessions are things we do everyday whether we realize/acknowledge it or not. This would be displayed in a montage/juxtaposition style. Lastly, I was thinking of working with rundown buildings. There is beauty in damaged items in my opinion. I would love to use film to exaggerate the "forgotteness" of the areas and items. And for real lastly, I have been discussing an idea with my dad of displaying old items (such as door knobs, old skeleton keys, etc.) in the newest way (such as displayed on ipads, iphones, etc). I was also thinking of displaying newer items in older methods. I'm still working on exact reasoning, but I feel it shows how outdated items become and how quickly they can become that way. These are all just thoughts that I wanted to get out here before I wrote anything formal for class. (which I'm about to do). And as promised earlier...PHOTOS!!! (At the top)
~*~Hayley~*~

The New Year!

Hey everyone, it is finally 2011! Wow, doesn't seem like it should be. So I have been working on some stuff recently, not physically, more thinking about what I want to do. So, for those who don't know, my senior show is this semester (YAY!), and I am focusing on what it means to be a "self proclaimed carnie" in contemporary times. My artist statement and final committee meeting of last semester took me in a direction I don't think I want to go in. Instead of celebrating the performers and what they do, I got moved to focusing on the idea of voyeurism and the act of looking and is it ok. Ideas came up as to focusing on viewers and not performers, making the performers take a backseat to the audience. I'm not too keen on this idea because that was never my original intent. I understand projects change and what not, but I really want to focus on what being a contemporary side show performer is all about. One idea I want to try is the performers getting ready to do their thing, the last run through in the dressing room, done from a completely candid point of view. I feel like this pushes the voyeuristic point while still focusing on the performers. Or the performer at their "day job" practicing their traits and maybe teaching or talking about their trait. Writing about this is me trying to get myself ready to go out again. (after last semester. I am really burnt out on photography right now.) I feel like I need a new look at my project, maybe some new performers, new places, new artist statement (if that is allowed), new friends...? With that being said, I have also decided to take a new look at an old project.
Scars the series is being revisited for a SOLO EXHIBITION!!!!! Yay!! I'm excited. My portrait series will be exhibited at the Apache Cafe, Feb. 7, 2011- March 7,2011. I. AM. STOKED!!!! Since my original series is only 5 images long, I have decided that I am going to add some new work to it. I have other ideas, new models, and an AWESOME studio to shoot in. All this equals NEW WORK!!! I am revisiting an image that looked amazing on the screen of my camera but was a bit blurry when full sized. I am also gonna talk to different people to add something more to it. I have been working on an exhibition statement for this series and a flyer design to promote the show. (I am including the flyer at the top on the right.)
Anyways, I hope everyone had a great new year, and know that just writing this has motivated me to get started. :)
~*~Hayley~*~

Arsenic and Old Lace

These are some photos I did for a band called Arsenic and Old Lace. I really like the desaturated ones, makes them look more vintage like to me.
~*~Hayley~*~

Artist Statement

Here is a helpful link for writing an Artist Statement.
~*~Hayley~*~

Artist Statements

Here is a website I found with some example artist statements which I'm using to help me get mine started. Check it out.
~*~Hayley~*~