The Living Photograph

A full size room was created within the gallery space, very much like the room sets I create to photograph the tableau images that also explore memory and recollection. This work as does my print based work is aligned with the work of Gregory Crewdson, Jeff Wall and Tom Hunter. Due its performative nature there are also links to the work of Crispin Gurholt's "Live Photo" work. In this installation the room was 'loaded' with the visual triggers that engage with viewers of my work. The viewer/participant would not see the room, it would be shrouded in black, they enter and they're asked to stare straight ahead. A flash is set off. For an instant they see the room and then it is gone. The viewer is instructed (prior to entering) to hold their gaze after the flash. They would then see an image appear, ghostly, dream like, neither day or night, a half light yet very detailed 'vision' of the scene. The slightest flinch or blink...and it goes, the challenge is to hold on to the memory, the vision, the dream. The work serves to explore the fragility of our memories, their impermanence. I was invited to exhibit this work at the Caloundra Regioal Gallery by John Waldron, Cultural Heritage & Collections Manager for the the Noosa and Caloundra galleries. This work was produced with the assistance of the Australia Council. The work and concept was concieved in 2011, a test build was done in Melbourne and shown at MARS Gallery. That was assessed and techical aspects were addressed for its presenation at the Caloundra Regional Gallery.