This is a deeper analysis/reflection of my sketchbook work included on pages 35-38.

I am currently planning a photoshoot for idem which is in collaboration with Leah Murphy, who is creating a magazine with the central theme of escapism, titled Reverie. We are going to combine the themes of identity and escapism by creating various home settings that are intimate.

We want to complete a studio shoot where we create a bedroom set to display a persona, taking inspiration from ideas such as ‘depression pit’ and ‘hot-girl bed rotting’ to capture a sense of personal space and how cleaning this space can highlight well-being and positive rituals. I researched ‘My Bed’ by Tracy Emin to gain inspiration and ideas generation.

I really like the idea of using a polaroid image in the setting to make the setting more personal, taking inspiration from Emin, as pictured above. Leah and I have also discussed various ways we could portray the act of cleaning as a ritual and feeling good mentally, so moved on to the idea of using dishes, laundry etc to portray this. I also love the array of various objects that constitute an idea of who the owner is, tieing into the theme of identity and how we possess items that convey our interests and hobbies.

We also decided that we want the majority of our images to be flat lays/sets but that we could also model for each other and have exclusives for our respective magazines using images of each other in the settings. I love the image above of the model balancing folded laundry on her shoulder, and the image of the model bent over the pile of laundry which is yet to be folded as I feel that they show a strong juxtaposition. I would love to be able to create juxtaposing images demonstrating both the before and after of completing a mundane task, highlighting how your identity is within everything that you do, such as a wash load with intimates, maybe bedsheets, underwear, a favourite top etc. Also the idea of having an identity in the residue you leave in items such as stains on dishes, leftover food, bodily stains, rubbish etc.

Above I have included a moldboard showcasing the previously mentioned ideas. I have taken a lot of inspiration from the academic reading that I did previously such as ‘Stains’ by Barbara Baert. I also completed some experimental photography and graphics using dishes that needed to be washed in my kitchen left by two of my flatmates who are a couple.

I really like the symbolism of the two spoons demonstrating that they belong to two people who are individuals but also linked together. It would be really interesting to write an article or complete an interview with a couple about still remaining individualistic within a relationship.

 

Finally, this is a mood board I created to help visualise the set styling and how we can create a sense of organised chaos as we do not want the set to be too tidy. I really like the idea of using an ashtray with cigarettes next to the bed to symbolise not being able to escape this new, disturbed sanctuary. I also really like the idea of using a stack of magazines as opposed to a bedside table to add to the effect of organised clutter.