I've always been a fan of using classic medias such as film and polaroid when it comes to photography as they seem to carry sentimental value and personal character. In 2007 instant cameras were no longer being made and in February 2008 the company Polaroid decided to cease all production of their instant films in favor of the new digital age. Polaroid isn’t the only media that has been fazed out by new and up to date techniques. Koadakrome (colour reversal film) was also let go in 2009 due newer competing colour films that were easier and cheaper to process. It can still be found in the hands of professionals or archives because of its long term stability but has definitely been taken out of the commercial eye.
Art Review in London had noticed this change in the photography scene and drew attention to the work by photographer Lisa Oppenheim. In the 2008 article they discuss the project 'Invention without a future' where Lisa quoted 'Legions of craftspeople, such as negative cutters, printers and lab technicians, have found themselves in a world where their enormous and specialized skills have been rendered obsolete. Their knowledge is not being passed on to another generation as it was passed to them'. I like the idea behind the project and exhibited work as the photographer is trying to record the media before it becomes obsolete. Looking through her work there are images produced with not just polaroid’s but Cibachrome photograms and Lunagrams.
http://www.harrislieberman.com/lisa_oppenheim/lisa_oppenheim-2009-12.html
I think photography and installation work like Lisa Oppenheims is important to remind us of the life cycle of photography, its process of aging and where it came from. It has definitely evolved over hundreds of years and provided more reliable and newer techniques. This project and work allows us to see the modern view of out grown medias that have reached their end. They seem to have a beautiful elegance to them and represent the skills that should be remembered by every generation.
Art Review in London had noticed this change in the photography scene and drew attention to the work by photographer Lisa Oppenheim. In the 2008 article they discuss the project 'Invention without a future' where Lisa quoted 'Legions of craftspeople, such as negative cutters, printers and lab technicians, have found themselves in a world where their enormous and specialized skills have been rendered obsolete. Their knowledge is not being passed on to another generation as it was passed to them'. I like the idea behind the project and exhibited work as the photographer is trying to record the media before it becomes obsolete. Looking through her work there are images produced with not just polaroid’s but Cibachrome photograms and Lunagrams.
http://www.harrislieberman.com/lisa_oppenheim/lisa_oppenheim-2009-12.html
I think photography and installation work like Lisa Oppenheims is important to remind us of the life cycle of photography, its process of aging and where it came from. It has definitely evolved over hundreds of years and provided more reliable and newer techniques. This project and work allows us to see the modern view of out grown medias that have reached their end. They seem to have a beautiful elegance to them and represent the skills that should be remembered by every generation.
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