“At the time, the myths and stereotypes of being a teenager were totally mediated by TV and advertising, and I was trying to dispel that by making these images. About five years after the book was published, I started to see things that looked like the rooms that I went to in films and TV. I remember thinking, “Why did I even do this project? Everybody already thought this.” But then I met a director who’s worked on projects like Breaking Bad, who told me the book is still used by set designers. The very thing that I was trying to show became the thing everyone was seeing in the context I was working against — it was co-opted and copied so quickly. I thought that was fascinating and horrifying, but kind of awesome.” Salinger on Teenagers in their Bedrooms

Salinger’s uses photography to break down the myths surrounding teenager life in American society. The book takes the idea that a teenager’s bedroom is a reflection of their interests, a kind of shrine to who they are and what they believe. The subjects throughout the book are varied, from sports captains to teenage mothers, Salinger wanted a real representation and therefore a variety of individuals.

This idea of breaking down myth’s surrounding social groups and highlighting its reality is something I have been thinking about bringing forward for my FMP. The research undertaken so far has lead me to looking at underrepresented communities and their understanding of culture. I am interested in using photography as a medium in combination with other practices, such as illustration and poetry.