Embedded Files
We all have objects that we keep because they have some importance or significance to us. Some might not be used for their intended purpose but we still keep them to look at. They can related to memories or tell people what we value in life.
By examining art from history, we can learn about the times in which they were made through the objects they show. We can learn what past cultures and societies have valued.
Artists have always taken inspiration from objects close at hand and have used them as subjects of artworks. Sometimes they have taken quite ordinary things and made them become extraordinary.
Still Life
Still Life
Most still lifes can be placed into one of four categories: flowers, banquet or breakfast, animal(s), and symbolic. While most of these types are self-explanatory—flower pieces tend to focus on bouquets or vases of full blooms and a banquet work features an array of food items—symbolic still lifes can vary greatly.
In most cases, symbolic paintings use different objects to convey deeper meanings or narratives. For example, this vanitas painting which focuses on the fleetingness of life.
Reflection
What do we associate skulls with?
What did the creator of this image associate skulls with?
What else is in the image? What could it symbolise?
Jenny Van Sommers is an award winning still life photographer. Living and working in London, her unique style has landed her editorial clients include Another Magazine, Vogue, and Ten. She has also worked with Apple, Audi, Hermes, and Nike. Sommers awe-inspiring portfolio, is full of surreal and quirky images.
Building a visual record of the items left behind by those killed in the Bosnian War.
The Aboriginal Memorial consists of 200 dupun (hollow log coffins) from central Arnhem Land and is one of the most significant works in the National Gallery’s collection, and in Australian art history. It was created in 1987–88, in the lead-up to the Australian Bicentenary, by 43 artists from Ramingining and the surrounding area. Each pole marks one year of occupation and together they stand as a memorial to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives lost to colonial and ongoing conflict and trauma in Australia from 1788 to 1988.
The path through the installation represents the Glyde River in central Arnhem Land. The poles are located along the river according to their specific homeland.
The Aboriginal Memorial is open in Gallery 9 on Level 1 NGA.
“A man’s Self is the sum total of all that he can call his”
William James (The Principles of Psychology, 1890)
The Psychology of Stuff and Things
Humanity's relationship with stuff starts early - the idea that we can own something is learned from age two
Materialism (which is the choice of specific materials goods to make one happy) peaks at middle adolescence
In late adolescence, a “first car” is frequently associated with independence and a symbol of young adult’s emerging identity
As well as contributing to an internal sense of who we are, our possessions also allow us to signal something about ourselves to other people.
Convey status (Tommy Hilfiger, Versace)
Convey interest (musical instruments, games)
Convey gender, sexuality, orientation (clothing, make-up, jewelry)
Convey values, privilege or place (what we get rid of)
This long-running series features a portrait of an individual alongside a table top view of the contents of that person’s bag, neatly organized.
In 2011, self-taught photographer Antoine Repessé stopped throwing things away. Along with 200 friends and colleagues, he accumulated around 70 cubic meters (or 18,000 liquid gallons) of recyclable waste. After he filled his flat in France to the brim with toilet rolls, newspapers, water bottles, cans and boxes -- he organized a photo shoot.
Henry Hargreaves & Charlotte Omnes 'Candy Goldsworthy'
Environmental art reimagined in urban environments made from to-go food items and their trash. Swapping a sad, messy moment for something organized and calm. Shot around Bushwick, Brooklyn and inspired by works of Andy Goldsworthy, who reorganizes nature into geometrical shapes.
Flat lay photography is shooting a variety of items all laid out on a flat surface — from above. It creates a bird’s eye view of a still life — and often one that has been carefully constructed to give a sense of balance. This type of photography has become incredibly popular, particularly on social media such as Instagram where #flatlay has over 9 million results.
#flatlay
GQ 10 Things Noah Schnapp
GQ 10 Things Noah Schnapp
GQ 10 Things Austin Butler
GQ 10 Things Austin Butler
What's in Jenna Ortega's Bag?
What's in Jenna Ortega's Bag?
For Your Process Journal
Now that you have explored some ideas around how objects can be used to represent people, consider how you can apply what you have learned about the compositional tools as well as shooting in manual to your own images.
Find an object that represents you and decide how you will create images using it. Consider how you can create greater meaning in your image by the way you stage it. How can the background contribute to the meaning? The angle? The lighting? Will you include yourself or someone else in the image?
Create a plan on paper, using the images below to support you.
Take a photo of the plan that you have created and put that in your process journal.
Take at least three different photos of your object, insert in your journal and answer the reflection questions.
Tips for successful still-life photography
Reflection Questions
Why did you choose the object you chose to represent you?
Explain how the background, lighting and compositional tools choices added to the meaning within your images.
Which image out of the three best conveyed the meaning you wanted to get across? Why?
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