Great stuff, Oana.
I must tell you, the three languages thing is a bit overwhelming for me...because I know you don't really use three languages when you speak. But I can see why Eric would tell you to write in 3 languages. He knows you in another way. And I'll stop here.
Gabrielle. Ayyy. So...now you like her less? :D
And I'll stop here. (Fuck her shoes - sorry that had to be said)
Photography.
Here's one thing about Romania. I noticed that ALL Romanians who become famous artists deal with the notion of "identity". What do you know... have we seen that elsewhere too?
The difference is that they deal with a Macro notion of Identity, as I like to call it. You, for example have dealt wit Micro Identity. That is, with your own personality and character. You have somehow presented the world the story from a given point, not mentioning the past. It is there however included, otherwise you - the way you are, would not be.
Famous Romanian artists mention the past. In fact, they mention it so much, that the notion of Micro Identity no longer exists.
Their work is all about communism.
Their work is not a subtle reference to it.
It is about "Understanding communism".
My favorite gypsy, Giani, a guy that used to post video clips on Youtube, called himself "Mondialu". In his stupidity, he subconsciously understood that after being part of different cultures and assimilating bits and parts of cultures, one becomes universal.
I will soon apply for a second passport. We both have double citizenship, Oana. But what will I be, holding two passports, one mentioning that I am Canadian, the other - Romanian.
What is marriage? Do you love a woman more when you hold a certificate? When you get married?
And still, I wait to get married one day..I want her to know that I am her property and that she is mine.
With citizenship it's different. I don't desire any of them as long as I can live in Canada.(funny?) In fact, I just want to live in a civilized country. I don't care if it's Canada or a European country. I don't care if Canadians consider me a foreigner. I don't care if Romanians consider me a foreigner.
Identity is not about where you live. Yes this influences you and your frame of thought.
But trying to find a definition for being Canadian or Romanian makes me think that once you step out of that definition you no longer are.
This is why, I believe, you don't feel you are Quebecois, and you might not feel Romanian, and are looking for what would make you feel Canadian. But you won't fit that definition. And I really wonder who does, and if they do, what the definition is.
It is the problem of Macro Identity.
Your studio project was about you. It obviously included elements of the culture you live in but they were subtly included in the project. It was a good concept.
At the same time, taking photos of other people, in a commercial way, sort of references again that idea of "macro" - because it generalizes, or objectifies. When a photographer takes a photo of someone and creates that perfect environment where the communication between the two results into a photograph that really talks about the person portrayed - then, we are again dealing with "micro". Meaning no other photograph will express the same thing.
I'm not sure why I'm mentioning these, to be honest. Maybe to raise questions?
The thing you mention about shapes and colors is interesting. However, I do not entirely agree with you on certain aspects.
Your last project was not about "blotches of colors", unless everything that surrounds us and all art is about blotches of colors. Otherwise your project was not about that. And if it became that, then there either was an error on the way, or your project is really complex and perfect. Both might be accurate, though I believe that the best projects have one interpretation.
Oana, I am not sure you are that blind to make a project about shapes. And if you want to make a project about shapes and patterns, then it is not because of your sight, but because emotionally, you get more from blurry patterns and blotches of colors.
Here's the thing. Vytautas can make a project about being blind. That is because he has no choice. But you do. You can use the glasses you rarely wear and make a project that a different focus. You, however, choose never to wear them. You might enjoy the world that way. It's like me, wearing glasses to distort my sight. If I choose to do so, the decision is emotional. Vytautas' aesthetic would be imposed by his disability and not by his emotions.
Again, I don't know why I'm telling you all these since you are probably aware of them.
Here's one suggestion I also got from a teacher a few years ago. Stop thinking and shoot whatever you feel and however you feel.
You can also shoot with a project in mind, but don't neglect your emotions. YOU are not the one to do so.
I loved it when you called her WHORE. :D
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