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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Hanjin Ancestors

Hanjin Ancestors

I have had many discussions with others about using the actual photographs in artwork as opposed to making copies.  My stated opinion is that who is going to look at the originals after I am late (remember I love this term for dead).  So I use the originals.  Most of the originals are anonymous to me anyway.  The box of photos from my parents house for instance.  There are few names on the back and many of the people I never met or was very young when I met them.   I knew a few basically but they are all late and I have no children to leave things to.  Hence, use them up.

I also buy or are given photos from others and I have no clue as to who the people are.  I rather like not knowing and creating something new with their photos.  It is sort of a rebirth for me.  Somehow their life goes on even though they are mostly nameless to me.  To the greater world and the past world they are not nameless.  They knew who they were and using the captured moment in their life continues to honor them.  At least that is what I believe.

Others feel that they just can't use the original and so they don't.  I respect that opinion, too, because it is their opinion and hurts no one.  I have chatted about this many times but this morning I am thinking about it again and here we are re-vocalizing the opinion.

5 comments:

jacki long said...

Another winner. I love what the photos add to your compositions.
I have no problem is using the actual photographs and agree with you view.
But, sometimes the photos are very thick & heavy. So If I can't skin them,
and if I am not too lazy at the time, I might copy in order to get them thinner.♥

Bea said...

I admire you using original photos. A friend bought an old family photo album and tracked the family down in another state. She was so disappointed that they did not want them. So, use them up...

Cate Rose said...

I love this piece! And I'm with you -- use that stuff up! Makes no sense to me to use additional resources by printing out copies of photos, especially when the originals would probably end up in someone's trash eventually anyhow.

Eric said...

I fully agree with you. Using the original photos gives them a new life that they would not have if they stay forgotten in a box somewhere...

tgarrett said...

Nice collage- I am on both sides about the photographs- I tend to have some favorites that I use often in my work. I also like to be able to siz them and in some cases flip their direction for a piece- I fins that real photos are often thicker than the rest of my collage items and makes for difficulty- at least the way I work- I also love being alter to alter the color and all effects to them- so it;s not about fear of using the real one to me but the possibilites of using them in new ways.