Research Point 1

Sharon Boothroyd - Joachim Schmid

Read Sharon Boothroyd’s interview with Joachim Schmid at Link 1
Listen to Joachim Schmid talking about his collection and curation of discarded vernacular
photography at Link 2

This interview with Joachim Schmid explores his approach to "found photography" and the cultural implications of our collective photographic habits. Schmid's work stands out for its incisive critique of vernacular Photography as a shared human practice, demonstrating how repetitive patterns in snapshots reveal aesthetic preferences and deeper cultural and psychological tendencies.

Schmid's refusal to label himself a "collector," instead preferring "gatherer," underscores his anthropological perspective. His interest in average snapshots as raw material for cultural analysis distances him from traditional notions of Photography as a quest for unique images. Instead, he reveals the ubiquity of visual clichés, such as pictures of smiling children, romanticised vacations, and celebratory moments, that mask the more complex realities of life.

A particularly compelling aspect of the interview is his recognition of how new technologies, like digital platforms and search engines, have transformed his process. The shift from physically searching flea markets to mining the endless internet archives illustrates the evolution of photographic consumption and production. Despite these advancements, his preference for books as a medium highlights a critical insight: tangible formats encourage a deeper, more thoughtful engagement than fleeting digital presentations.

Schmid's commentary on the psychology of Photography—how it sustains comforting narratives while avoiding inconvenient truths—touches on why many take the same pictures. His critique of the broader art world's economic and structural challenges is a sobering reminder of many artists' precarious position despite Photography's growing recognition as an art form.

Ultimately, this interview presents Schmid as both a critic and participant in the photographic ecosystem. He deftly navigates the tension between personal creativity and cultural critique, allowing viewers to reflect on their relationship with Photography and a call to reimagine its role in our lives and society.

Note: A full transcript of the YouTube video viewed in relation to this interview is via the blog button at the bottom of this page.

References:

https://www.oca.ac.uk/weareoca/photography/an-interview-with-joachim-schmid/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4FTYM66kAA

Exercise 2.1

Bring together a series of 12 images (a typology) in which a particular motif appears againand again. Select an appropriate way to display your series (as an animated slide
presentation, in grid form, as single images, etc.) and present them on your learning log.

Introduction:

The feedback I received in previous coursework was to look further than just photographic images. Considering this, when looking at this exercise, I decided to research Banky's famous artwork, 'Girl with a Red Balloon,' and look for copies of his work online. A recurring theme more often in the digital age has been appropriation, and this was a good example. Banksy appropriated others to produce some of his work, so I found that others used his images to adapt their appropriation, an interesting observation. 

Music Credit: Epidemic Sounds

Image Credit: Corinne Vionnet

Exercise 2.1 also asks us to look at the work of Corinne Vionnet, a Swiss-French artist known for her series "Photo Opportunities." Vionnet creates composite images in this series by layering numerous tourist photographs of iconic landmarks online. By blending hundreds of snapshots taken by different people at the exact location, she captures these landmarks' collective memory and experience. The resulting images offer a unique perspective on how people perceive and interact with these popular destinations. Vionnet's work prompts viewers to reflect on the shared cultural significance of these places and the impact of mass tourism on our collective visual memory.

References:

(30) Pinterest [WWW Document], n.d. . Pinterest. URL https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/337981147009881786/ (accessed 11.14.23a).

(30) Pinterest [WWW Document], n.d. . Pinterest. URL https://www.pinterest.com.au/search/pins/?q=person%20with%20red%20balloon&rs=typed (accessed 11.14.23b).

99 Red Balloons by Risachantag on DeviantArt [WWW Document], 2006. URL https://www.deviantart.com/risachantag/art/99-Red-Balloons-43032339 (accessed 11.14.23).

“99 red balloons Floating in the summer sky Panic bells, it’s red alert There’s something here from somewhere else” - AI Generated Artwork [WWW Document], n.d. . NightCafe Creator. URL https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/mJLnmGj8TVWkEOJPd2Mq (accessed 11.14.23).

ANGEL, GIRL WITH RED BALLOON Painting by AUGUSTO SANCHEZ | Saatchi Art [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-ANGEL-GIRL-WITH-RED-BALLOON/630646/6206153/view (accessed 11.14.23).

artwork using a red balloon - Google Search [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.google.com/search?q=artwork+using+a+red+balloon&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiP0dXfx8OCAxUu3DgGHUraCM0Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=artwork+using+a+red+balloon&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECCMQJ1CYB1iCRmDbSWgAcAB4AIAB1waIAYpUkgEENi0xNJgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=U3FTZc_bEq644-EPyrSj6Aw&bih=741&biw=1428&client=firefox-b-d (accessed 11.14.23).

Banksy Girl With Balloon (Unsigned Print) 2004 [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-banksy/series-girl-with-balloon/artwork-girl-with-balloon-unsigned-print (accessed 11.14.23).

Banksy [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.banksy.co.uk/ (accessed 11.14.23).

Boy with a Red Balloon, n.d.

Boy With a Red Balloon Street Art [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.artworks.ae/Boy-With-a-Red-Balloon-Street-Art (accessed 11.14.23).

Download Red Balloon Flying Mural Royalty-Free Stock Illustration Image [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://pixabay.com/illustrations/red-balloon-flying-mural-art-8335305/ (accessed 11.14.23).

Girl With Red Balloon Art Print. Street Art Graffiti. Modern Art Poster | URB-27 [WWW Document], n.d. . eBay. URL https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/234909192342 (accessed 11.14.23).

Limited, A., n.d. Paris. Street Art. Child in Yellow Raincoat with Red Balloon. Rue Lepic. Montmartre. Paris Stock Photo - Alamy [WWW Document]. URL https://www.alamy.com/paris-street-art-child-in-yellow-raincoat-with-red-balloon-rue-lepic-montmartre-paris-image402300828.html (accessed 11.14.23).

One Red Balloon, n.d. . Jim Warren Studios. URL https://jimwarren.com/portfolio/one-red-balloon/ (accessed 11.14.23).

Pop Art Sculpture Boy With Red Balloon “Hope (23/25)” Original Artwork by Nayla Saroufim | Chairish [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.chairish.com/product/7762631/hope-2325-original-artwork-by-nayla-saroufim (accessed 11.14.23).

Red Balloon Painting [WWW Document], n.d. . Saatchi Art. URL https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Red-Balloon/1228151/9139597/view (accessed 11.14.23).

Red Balloon Paintings | Saatchi Art [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.saatchiart.com/paintings/red-balloon/feature (accessed 11.14.23).

The Girl Chasing Red Balloon Canvas Art | Pretty Art Online [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://prettyartonline.com.au/products/the-girl-chasing-red-balloon-canvas-art (accessed 11.14.23).

The Red Balloon Canvas Wall Art by Matt Dixon | iCanvas [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.icanvas.com/canvas-print/the-red-balloon-mdx20#1PC6-40x26 (accessed 11.14.23).

Top 100 Strangest Cameras from Around the World Part 1 [WWW Document], 2015. . cameraville. URL https://cameraville.co/blog/top-100-strangest-cameras-from-around-the-world-part-1 (accessed 11.14.23).

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