The Third Element

The third element of the After Dark Project was a large format print seen here that was hung in the entrance to the gallery upside down at the top of the stairs. Accompanying the piece was a collection of 50 or more small hand held take away prints of the same image, the orientation of which was to be determined by the viewer.

This work when first seen is clearly recognisable as a waistline however immediately the viewer becomes aware that there is something not quite right with the image? A feeling of slight disorientation is ‘experienced’, the viewer takes a moment to realise the work is upside down, and the experience passes.

The small take away photographs below the image become objects the audience choose to take ownership of in any orientation they like, upside down or not. The photograph as a small hand held object, is an object no less. It is the audience that makes the decision to take ownership of that object, abstracting it further and playing a role in the process of objectifying the female form through their actions and finally the consumption of the work.