Immateriality to materiality?

The processes involved in the completion of my project "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" has been a delightful experience. I can almost describe it as a journey, filled with surprises, challenges and achievements. In the beginning the thought of editing over 300 images down to 2 final images seemed impossible. It began by selecting 32 out of the 300 for Flickr. Digital media has presented us with incredible opportunities that did not exist in the past. Some may dislike the idea of the physical touch or materiality lost in the electronic production. Mary Ann Doane in Indexicality and the Concept of Medium Specificity writes: "technologies of mechanical and electronic reproduction, from photography through digital media, appear to move asymptotically toward immateriality, generating images through light and electricity." The generation of images through light and electricity has made it possible for photographs to be sent instantly at the click of a button. I was able to send my images to my grandma in England and my mum and aunt in Ghana all at once.

I have to admit that nothing beats having the actual photographs in your hand; there is just something about that physical touch and interaction. This was made possible by the printing of a magazine, followed by ten then four (8.5x 11") prints and finally two (11x14'') prints. The process from digital to print could be described as a shift from immateriality to materiality.

The last part of the project was setting up an exhibition "Watching" in the Mudd gallery. I had no idea the amount of detail and skill required when installing an exhibition. The site, the spacing between images, the height from the ground, the lighting, refreshments, all contribute greatly to the finished product. I am definitely a fan of the clean, simple look. This entire project has been an incredible learning experience.