Untitled

Anthony Deniet

I created a photo series consisting of anti-homeless architecture being shot in a fashion which frames it as a crime for even existing. I aimed to pull from the existing style of “crime scene” photos which traditionally would only be taken by investigative police detectives and presented it in a style which reflects that of a crime scene investigation. In order to emulate this, I printed out photos and pinned them to a bulletin board to resemble what an investigation may look like. This advanced elements of my creative practice by sticking close to the idea of unsettling or uncomfortable imagery while still presenting an idea which I believe to be socially important, as homeless people are too often dehumanized and not treated with the same respect as everyone else. The main function of my project is to get the viewer to feel uncomfortable or even disgusted by the idea that anti-homeless architecture is becoming more common, getting more people to subscribe to the idea that it is inhumane.

The idea for this project was inspired directly by my research, as it was in my research toward the homeless epidemic that I gained more knowledge about the ongoing debate about whether or not anti-homeless architecture is ethical. The main medium behind the project is photography, but I also used editing tools such as Lightroom and Photoshop to add to the “crime scene investigation” feeling in a tasteful manner so as to not take away from the primary message.

About the Artist

As a photographer and videographer my work aims to evoke strong emotions in the viewer, whether it be emotions of discomfort or awe. My work aims to be horror-adjacent by taking different topics and elements and incorporating horror related themes and ideas to properly convey my ideas regarding the subject matter. In order to produce my work, I primarily use a Sony Alpha 6100 with a 50 mm f/1.8 lens. Throughout my life, I’ve gained influence from many different horror films and iconic imagery which has contributed to my overall vision and how I wish to utilize different ideas. Much of the uncanny and uncomfortable nature of my work stems from me putting myself into uncomfortable situations to really capture the feeling. I produce my work to make the viewers' feelings reflect the emotions I’ve felt when looking at or experiencing horror-adjacent media throughout my life, and with that comes a wide array of emotions. I’m eager to keep exploring my capabilities as an artist and developing my skills to broaden the scope of my work.

Additional Documentation