THINGS
“Not only is the Photograph never, in essence, a memory... but it actually blocks memory, quickly becomes a counter-memory.” R. Barthes The “Things” photo series was created in reference to traditional catalogue/product photography, as well as documentary photography. It is a set of studio photographs which could be classified as tabletop photography. My inspiration for this project came from various objects in my life and the memories of moments associated with them. Our lives are irrevocably tied to the objects surrounding us. Through the years, we come in contact with innumerable objects. They follow us and act as catalysts for memories - associated with certain people, emotions, activities. Regardless of our attitude towards them–some people like to surround themselves with stuff, others concern themselves only with necessities–we all have to deal with objects and the auras they emit in our daily lives. There is a certain duality to photography. In a way, by taking a photo of an object, we honor it - pay our respects. We confront the context in which it exists and the memories associated with it. The photograph serves as a reminder of the object’s meaning in our life - but can also have an opposite effect of replacing our memory of the object. In the words of R. Barthes, it becomes a counter-memory.
Title: Things Size: 50 X 60 cm Technique: Archival pigment print Edition: 10+2AP Year: 2018-2019
Copyright © 2019 by Tomasz Cichowski