Project III - Option I
The Digital Truth
Since the inception of photography people have explored and questioned notions of truth in relation to technology. While the camera and the photo are clearly useful in positioning a believable account of states of the world (ex. Law enforcement, science, etc) we have always been aware of the ability to fake or stage what can be taken as photographic truth.
Yet, with the advent of the digital (especially in photography) this illusion is simultaneously, completely exploded and yet still strangely present in a surreal type of way. We know that a digital picture is just a series of numbers that represent pixel colors and positions on a grid, with no necessary relation to any existing natural phenomena, yet we still use the digital photo to give us “true” information about the world.
Guidelines
For this project think about the relationship between ‘the digital’ and notions of truth. Bear in mind that there is a huge tradition of philosophical and scientific explorations that problematize what the word ‘true’ really means. Question your preconceptions about either/both of these ideas or relationships.
This project must be composed of at least 3 components, either a series of works, a tryptic, an evolution, or supporting elements that reinforce or interact in interesting ways with each other.
Grade breakdown
Proposal: 10%
Final work: 70%
Critique presentation: 20%
"Truths are illusions about which one has forgotten that this is what they are."
"To be truthful means to use the customary metaphors - in moral terms: the obligation to lie according to a fixed convention, to lie herd-like in a style obligatory for all..."
"Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones."
– Friedrich Nietzsche
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Project III - option II
Free project
This project is opened in all senses. Choice of process, subject and methodology is entirely up to the student. You can continue a previous project as long as all parts are newly created or you can develop something entirely new and experimental.
If a previous project is expanded, a new element or evolution must be present and I will expect that comments from previous critique are addressed. This does not mean that a previous work can be reworked. This means that you can add to or expand upon the original project. I expect a new work and not just a simple rework.
Guidelines
As this is the final project I expect a fully resolved and theoretically supported project. I will expect clear reasons for all choices made and a clear unambiguous presentation of the works raison d’etre.
Grade breakdown
Proposal: 10%
Final work: 70%
Critique presentation: 20%
