My Project brief was based around the exploration into the butterfly effect. I initially researched the theories and history surrounding it, which was interesting, but it was the research in the way of fictional books and films that ultimately influenced my project outcome. Reading the book ‘The Tale of Forking Paths’ by Jorges Luis Borges, was the best piece of research I found. This story, though it being fictional, related to the exploration of ‘what if’.
The feeling I got from the story made me realise the beauty in written word, because ultimately, from writing, the author has the power to implant a vision or thought into the readers head. So although the visuals were obviously going to be very important for the final product, I felt it was more important to start off with the writing. I wanted to write to be a trigger for people to then provoke their own thoughts. Before reading the book, I assumed my outcome would be personal. However, I soon came to realise my audience was not for myself at all.
I was unsure whether to use image or not, or whether to use pure typography in my final publication. However after many experiments, I decided to stick with my plan and use photography alongside text. Photography I felt was the most appropriate medium, as at the click of a button, you have captured a split second in time (the name of my project). I wanted to double expose onto the film, however this didn’t work on a disposable camera which was a shame - despite my research. But the quality of the image was exactly as I wanted, very real, grainy and atmospheric. The major contextual references which were a big part of my project, were John Stezaker, and the exhibition of his at the Whitechapel Art Gallery, Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin, who opened my eyes to the theory of removing a part of an image to make it non existent (as did Stazaker), which then put my idea of ‘with/out’ into play. My trip to the Tate Bookshop, the Pick Me Up exhibition, and Nigel Peake were all important, mostly for looking into publications and design layouts.
Throughout my project I maintained my time management through keeping a diary, I am an organised person when it comes to deadlines, and so making sure my book was sent off in time was no problem.
If I could re-do an aspect, it would be on a comment I received from a critique which was: what if I just focused on one aspect in my book? Much like my work at the start of my project where I only focused on trees. If I could change something, then it would be to create a series of different books, each focusing on a different ‘with/out’.
From this project, I have definitely developed in my purpose for what i’m creating - and the importance of the audience. Though this changed along the way, I am definitely at a stage now where I can identify my intentions and purposes, this in itself will be something I keep with me in future projects.
