Crewdson

Between the familiar and the strange

'It's about finding meaning through light. I'm always interested in tensions.

A primary one is the collision between the familiar and the strange.'

Gregory Crewdson

Woman at Sink

2014, Digital Pigment Print

114.5 × 146.2 cm


Pickup Truck

2014, Digital pigment print

95.3 x 127 cm


Untitled (Dylan on the floor)

2001, Digital Pigment Print

121.9 x 152.1

Activity

1. Without researching this artist or the artwork, ​select one of the images above and write a brief narrative about the scene. Imagine it is a moment from a bigger story. What might be happening? Write one paragraph of narrative that aims to capture the reader's imagination. Upload your writing to the shared digital platform used by your class for feedback.

Activity- Conceptual Framework

2. Watch the films above (you will need to pause them frequently to make notes) and the article Photographer Gregory Crewdson and his eerie rooms of gloom about the artist.

  • Divide a page in your art diary (or a digital document) into four even sections. Label each of the four boxes with the name of a different agency of the artworld: artist, artwork, world and audience.
  • Summarize Gregory Crewdson's practice under each of these four headings. Use the link to the conceptual framework scaffold below to guide your responses. Upload your summary to the shared digital platform used by your class for feedback.

The conceptual framework scaffold (PDF 5.83MB) can be used to support your learning in this activity.

Artmaking Activity

Gregory Crewdson often combines everyday imagery of the family dinner table, the kitchen, lounge room or bedroom with something mysterious or strange. He understands the tension and drama that can exist in familiar settings and carefully poses the figures in the scene so that they are 'in the moment' but do not give away all of the narrative. His role is to act like a director who considers the lighting, props, costumes, pose, setting.

3. Sketch plans for an ambiguous, Crewdson-inspired photograph set within your own home. You must use, as your main subject, one willing member of your family. Take a full page in your art diary and, carefully observing the room you will use as your location, sketch in the details of your chosen setting along with the character you will place in the scene. Annotate your drawing with notes about all of the details of your planned mise en scène. Remember the importance of the emotion conveyed in the pose and look of the main character, whether it be longing, anger, loss or love. This is how you will build the audience's connection to the work. Share your sketched plan with peers or the classroom teacher for feedback via your online digital platform.

4. Take your planned photograph. No! Take many versions of the photograph! This is so that you can carefully examine the imagery and select the best picture to edit and/or share. You can use your camera, ipad, phone or any digital device when taking the photograph. If you have any editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or even Instagram you can manipulate the image to increase the drama by adding filters and adjusting the saturation - perhaps making it darker and giving it more film-like qualities. Share your final image with your classroom teacher for feedback by uploading it to your shared digital platform.

Image Credits: