The Proposal

Below is my Research Project Proposal for 'Working with Photography in Context' (as informed by the tutorials evidenced here and here, and the initial research found here).


Title

The Photographic Artist’s Response to The Mirror.

Description of Subject to be Investigated

-       Looking at the relationship through portrait photography between the photographer, subject and viewer (operator, subject, spectator; to do, to undergo, to look) and how it is adjusted to fit to a self-portrait.

-       Examining the behaviour of the self-photographer as a subject – their performance, and how they explore the conscious presentation of self (as affected by the mirror). 

This investigation emerges from work I conducted earlier in the year: Self Videos (and which is continuing) looking at something of an obsession with being the subject – a performer, a desire to be funny, self-mockery, and narcissism.

Anticipated Method of Presentation

An illustrated talk – I feel that talking is perhaps the strongest way to communicate an idea empathetically to an audience. I would also like to include some element of performance to it, possibly have the audience viewing themselves (mirrors or webcam).

Sources to be Utilised

Texts on photography, portraiture, and self-portraiture including:

-       Richard Brilliant’s Portraiture, in particular the chapters ‘Here’s Looking at You!’ and ‘Fashioning the Self’.

-       Essays from Self-Portrait in the Age of Photography edited by Erika Billeter.

Texts on the psychological aspect of this research:

-       Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic Mirror Stage concept, as discussed by Steven Z. Levine in Lacan Reframed.

-       The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman.

Research into appropriate photographic practitioners including:

-       Interviews (either self-conducted or reading those conducted by others).

-       Analytical and critical writing on their work.

Also I may potentially be able to draw input from my own developing practical work.

Methods to be Used in Acquisition of Sources

My best approach to texts is to read short amounts frequently, keeping notes and then returning to relevant points at a later time – when the direction of my argument becomes clearer. This method will hopefully keep the reading engaging, as well as preventing fatigue. When interviewing practitioners, I aim to give them a brief account of the research being conducted and explain why their work may be relevant to it. This background will then give them the opportunity to have greater interest and understanding, before answering questions.

Methods of Interpretation

I hope to draw some conclusions specific to this investigation by bringing together the three strands of research: self-portraiture and performance (photographical); self-presentation and contemplation of self-image (psychological); the reasons, motives, and intentions behind the work of practitioners. I will then see if I can further establish/confirm those ideas by examining them in conjunction with appropriate photographic work, possibly my own.

Plan/Schedule of Work – Presentation on 18/3/11.

-       Discuss and prepare initial aims of research, locate principal sources for research. [Done]

-       Read widely on the topic up till end of December, noting anything of interest. Gather information from other sources (interviews etc.)

-       During and after the main reading (December into January) analyse and organise the research, evaluating what may be useful.

-       Plan the presentation - the ‘route’ of the argument (January).

-       Return to the sources of research to strengthen the argument, possibly look to further reading if deemed necessary (January – February).

-       Write the argument out in a clearly constructed manner (February).

-       Prepare for the presentation and practise the talk (February and March).

-       Extra time for refining etc. (March).