asmarp - approaches
Use of different approaches.
For today’s a short meditative absorption regrading photographies I would like to contribute into last week’s paper proposal which was discussing various approaches in these considerations of the medium. This was also signposted by my current research strand of various readings, some of which I realise are nearing their 10 years of inception/discussion/publication. As it is said, 5 years is a long time in photography then it would follow that 10 years is doubly so.
The paper proposals will cover most of the topics, but I would like to take this a step further by incorporating alternate ideas into these ‘ASMARP’s’ by considering surrounding areas of the idea of making a ‘stocktake of the medium’, looking at developing some of the smaller details that could possibly demonstrate importance therefore becoming instrumental. To aid this development, I thought of a number of approaches, possibly performing them in a number of styles. The idea of a performance of photographies is one that gathered interest, especially in the ease of
communicating ideas in this ‘Instagram age’, so in pursuit thus, I came upon 2 distinct ideas.
First is in the form of an ‘appraisal’, as I have previously used humour within my practice to outline inconsistencies, highlight small points that suggest a bigger picture, I thought this could take the strict format of an appraisal and place it in an unfamiliar setting, something along the lines of photographies being asked what their aims are, how they will respond to the hits taken this year, how they will contribute to profit margins, where they see the future of the company etc.
Second thought was of asking it in ‘TikTok’ style with a viral song format, of which I would ask: “Photography, are you ok? As It would seem your current state suggest that you seem a little disjointed, bent out of shape, lost, confused and not sure of your place?” The suggestion of what can we do about that? Would be of great interest.
I pondered on these.
As I wandered this frivolous mind did wander and arrive at some interesting trains of thought that could provide further discussion, interest and developments, such as:
· What percentage of humour is used in photography?
· What percentage of photography is a meme?
· Does the use of a still image help the jokette to travel?
· How then can you identify the unifying theme of humour in still imagery?
· How does humour apply to photographic output, both research and product?
How indeed.
Then thinking moved to examples specifically practitioners, with the realisation that the great humour (humanist) photographers are never taken quite as seriously, are they? This then moved onto how humour is applied to photographic research, I’m not sure of too many humourist photographies research, we always discuss the heterogeneity of the medium, but humour doesn’t crop up in too many research outputs, does it?
That’s when I realised that of course the ease in which humour can be dismissed is a huge drawback. It is not seen as important, elements of it maybe work occasionally but as an approach not a valued one at all.
Would any use of humour would increasingly devalue my concerns and aims, wouldn’t it?
Could you take someone seriously in academia who uses humour to convey a message? Do students respond well to a more humorous approach?
Further reflection needed.
Further citation needed.
Thank you for your time.