Blue

Exploring blue basements in Baltimore..

At the studio of artist and friend, Tom Burkett. 

The Work of Light

Over the past few months I have become increasingly interested in the development of artificial light, with particular regard to the developments in electric light in the nineteenth century. The particular visual shift from the human-like warmth of the flame, to the blindingly bright arc lamp (the first electric light) fundamentally changed the world and the way people perceived their surroundings, their homes, and themselves.

These photographs were taken with this the visual shift presented by developing technology of the time in mind.

The Work of Light #1-3
C-Prints. 2012.

Hampden Backyard

These are some images that I took of a friends' backyard in Hampden. When I stepped out of the back door for the first time, I was struck by the intensity and varying color temperatures of the light illuminating the area. 

Mt. Royal Terrace

I am fascinated by color and light. I find myself photographing curtains in interior spaces that I frequent, most often my own home and/or friend's homes. I am constantly struck by the quality and complexity of light entering a space, especially where color is involved. Using magnification filters, I focus on the nuance details in the folds of fabric, employing the shallow depth of field and using the natural light to highlight certain areas. These were taken about two months ago, at my apartment in Baltimore.

Handle With Care

I recently participated in an Exhibition called Multiplicity, curated by fellow MICA graduate student, Adam Void. Each participating artist made multiples of their work. Two were mounted on the wall or placed on a shelf, and the remaining 8 or so pieces were situated within plastic gumball machine bubbles, then placed inside a gumball machine for the audience to buy for $.50.

The opening was a great success and an hour in all of the plastic bubbles were sold out. Participants swapped, collected, and shared artwork. Overall, the exhibition seriously engaged the audience and artists alike in a way that I feel is unique to any show I have ever been a part of. There is nothing quite like the pubescent giddiness that comes from buying great art inside a plastic bubble. And for such a low price!

For my contribution, I worked on a series of Polaroid emulsion lifts inspired by tense, calming, or otherwise "delicate" situations. To reinforce the idea of a "delicate" situation, I chose to use razorblades as my printing surface. The result is a body of work, 9 in total, called "Handle With Care". I will add more as I document them, but here are some closeups of a few of the blades:

#2 from the series Handle With Care. 2011
polaroid emulsion lift on razor blade



#3 from the series Handle With Care. 2011

polaroid emulsion lift on razor blade

#4 from the series Handle With Care. 2011
polaroid emulsion lift on razor blade



One of the razor blades with the plastic bubble and warning insert from Multiplicity.

#5 from the series Handle With Care. 2011
polaroid emulsion lift on razor blade

#6

#7

On some of the blades I removed the excess emulsion, but I like how it looks when it's folded over, so I decided to leave it.

#8

#9

After A Brief Hiatus..

I recently moved from Houston to Baltimore to begin graduate school at MICA - the following is some of my newest work.

C-Print, inside the BMA. Red shift film.

C-print on metallic paper, color shift film.

C-Print. Self Portrait in a Red Bathroom in Baltimore. Red shift film.

My website, www.mariansomething.com, will be down for re-design for awhile, so I will update with current happenings here.

I Will Make You See.

"I haven't told you everything. But to talk is nothing: one must prove, must see. I will make you see, you must see. I will make you see, because when I see I believe."-Chevreul

Blogging and other electronic media have become the best way for aspiring artists such as myself to promote their work, so here we are, and here I am.

And here's a picture.

Self Portrait. C-Print. 2008.