Suggested Reading/Viewing: Conceptual Approaches to Space: Sternfeld and Alys

The tutor suggested having a look at these two projects for ideas on how one might develop a conceptual approach to photographing space.  

Joel Sternfeld – High Line Series

The tutor pointed to this as an example of an investigation into the allocation of public space. I don’t have a copy of the book associated with this project, nor access to an exhibit.  I have seen a few online reviews and videos and what I found immediately remarkable is that Sternfeld does not speak of representing his work as conceptual.  In the video referenced here, he speaks of the wonder and awe experienced shooting this bit of nature-in-the-city, but nothing to suggest that he sees his work as anything more than what it appears, images of urban landscapes.  Perhaps he has spoken of concept elsewhere.

New York Voices:  Joel Sternfeld

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNzr7g8FQgk

A Walk on the High Line

http://alliance.columbia.edu/files/newalliance/content/A%20Walk%20on%20the%20High%20Line_Adam%20Gopnik.pdf

P&P Exercise 16: Exploring Function

With this exercise we are to consider and then document interior space with an emphasis on function.
I have chosen my college library, which is intended for use by the college faculty and students.  This space is not available for use by the public except perhaps on special occasions, such as festivals or other functions, or perhaps by special invitation.  As the building was erected in the early 90’s, I have no record of the designer’s intentions,  and so can only speculate on what was planned.  One thing seems certain.  The lack of closed space suggests it was not intended for archival purposes.  As this is not a research institution but vocational, and as many resources are now available electronically, the library currently serves to support students through the provision of learning space and resources – private study halls, conference rooms, computers, audio-visual equipment, IT support services, a café.  The building is circular in design and absent trees or some kind of multi-floor structure in the central atrium a lot of potential space on the first and second floors seems to have been wasted.  The open space and dome-shaped ceiling serve to amplify sound and make the ground floor quite noisy when there are more than a few students present.

Images: More awesome than awesome

10 years worth of photographs combined into one image showing 5500 individual galaxies.

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/09/25/this-is-the-most-zoomed-in-photograph-ever-created-by-mankind/

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