6. Final Essay

"Through photomontage I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer." Tom Chambers

The relationship between art and technology has advanced significantly, as technology is becoming apparent through many more of artists work. Through technology, artists have been able to capture both a realistic and surreal perception and has enabled them to capture their feelings and emotions. The connection between art and technology is that it combines two very different elements which allows the viewer to engage in the artists perceptions, feelings and emotions.

Artists use technology to produce an image which they have the ability to manipulate visual language and overall convey subject matter and emotions. Technology today essentially plays an extension of the artist as it has allowed them to enhance the creation of the image and essentially ‘tamper with reality’. Artists utilise this concept as it allows the audience to capture and contemplate on what is reality and what is fabricated.

Photography has become a common aspect throughout contemporary art as it has allowed artists to tamper with the concept of reality and idealism. Enhancing visual language through Photoshop enables the artist to capture their various perceptions and allows them to perfect the subject matter and emotions that they intend to apprehend.

Photographer Tom Chambers uses technology and in specific photomontage and photoshop to disclose his personal perception of wildlife, nature, children, animals and their connections. In Chambers’ most recent body of work titled ‘Dreaming In Reverse’ he captures the loss of the indigenous Mexican people, whilst celebrating their traditional and cultural beauty. Using photography and Photoshop, Chambers enhances and manipulates visual language to combine both reality and fantasy which allows the viewer to reflect and to evoke an array of emotions. Through the strong contrast of lighting and colour that Chambers creates, he is able to evoke and construct an enchanting but dismaying atmosphere.

Technology has enabled Chambers in ‘Dreaming In Reverse’ to create his perception and concern of loss of culture whilst also trying to embrace the beauty of tradition through surrealism and manipulating visual language.

Chambers T. (2010), Tom Chambers Photo - Caging the Bird, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/ (17/11/10)

In ‘Caging the Songbird’, Chambers meaning of loss and the beauty of culture is expressed throughout this image through the placement of images, colour and lighting. This image portrays the significant loss which the indigenous Mexicans faced. Chambers stated “I have created ‘Dreaming in Reverse’ to express both my concern for cultural loss, as well as my appreciation for the inherent loveliness of Mexican life.” (New Portfolio by Tom Chambers). This is shown through the placement of the bird as whilst the title of the image is called ‘Caging the Songbird’, the bird has been freed however seems hesitant to fly away. This displays the impact of not wanting to leave behind what is important in life as Chambers portrays the concern of loss of culture but trying to hold on to traditions. The manipulation of the image is the photoshop of the bird as it is placed on top of the chair. Photography has enabled Chambers to capture the emotions shown from both the girl and the bird. The emotion depicts the loss of letting go and the struggles which people have faced. Similar to other images by Chambers, in this image he displays the interactions between children and animals which is seen through their connection and innocence. There is also a contrast of colours as the room behind displays very warm colours, almost as if the sun is setting whilst the focal point displays very cool colours. This shows the serenity of the atmosphere as appose to what is occuring out of the room. The focal point of the image is the girl, holding the birdcage and the bird on the chair. This focal point draws the audience to view the strong connection between the girl and the bird. The subject matter of the image shows the

Surrealism plays a significant importance as one of Chambers most common thread that runs throughout his photography which portrays the idea of reality versus idealism. Chambers uses magical surrealism which allows him to express the sense of what is plausible but reveals several elements which appear false. In ‘Caging the Songbird’ this is displayed through the bird who has been freed but hasn’t flown away. The sense of surrealism is also shown in the title as a songbird who is always quite loud however, in the image appears quiet. The meaning which Chambers expresses is change which occurs and how significantly it can impact on people. Photoshop allows Chambers to enhance surrealism in this image as he adjusts positioning and lighting so the audience views the bird and girl first.

This image ‘Caging the Songbird’ allows the audience to intensively capture not only Chambers’ strong emotion but also the emotion of the indigenous Mexicans. Through Photoshop, Chambers has been able to manipulate and enhance the use of magic surrealism.

Chambers T. (2010), Tom Chambers Photo - Glass Flower, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/ (17/11/10)

This second image titled ‘Glass Flower’ expresses the beauty of culture and tradition of the indigenous Mexicans, and through Photoshop and surrealism Chambers has been able to manipulate lighting and enhance the surrealism of the atmosphere. Chambers has used Photoshop to position the deer on the table as if it sniffing and is curious about the glass flower. Whilst the image is titled ‘Glass Flower’ it isn’t the focal point, which is what Chambers’ objective was as he wanted the viewer to observe the other items, which firstly is the deer standing on the table, followed by the girl in the corner and lastly analyse the glass flower. Again Chambers uses both children and animals to portray innocence. However there is minimal connection between the girl and the animal as the deer appears curious and adventurous whilst the girl appears quite reserved. The atmosphere created by Chambers demonstrates the fragility of culture, which is displayed in the flower. Chambers enhances this important factor by creating a lighter tone around the table and deer and darkening the background

Surrealism in this image plays a significant impact as Chambers uses technology to position the deer on top of the table as if it sniffing the glass flower. Again Chambers uses magical surrealism as the entire still seems realistic, with the element of the deer turning the image into something artificial.

The meaning of this image ‘Glass Flower’ evokes the fragility of culture and tradition which is something that must be held on to, which Chambers creates through the use of Photoshop, lighting and magic surrealism.

Through Chambers body of work ‘Dreaming in Reverse’ he is able to display a strong emotion and concern for indigenous Mexicans, which is a result of many of his other body of works. Through the use of technology, photomontage and Photoshop, Chambers has been able to tamper with the perception of what is reality and what is false. This recent body of work has enabled him to express his emotions, perceptions whilst allowing the viewer to contemplate on their emotions evoked by the images. Technology through Chambers work has allowed him to adjust lighting, positioning to create a blurred reality.

Bibliography

About Tom Chambers (2010), http://lenscratch.blogspot.com/2010/10/tom-chambers.html (17/11/10)

Chambers T. (2010), Tom Chambers Photo - Glass Flower, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/ (17/11/10)

Interview with Tom Chambers (2010), http://www.parallax8.com/headline/tom-chambers (17/11/10)

New Portfolio by Tom Chambers,

http://www.photoeye.com/EmailNewsletter/Newsletter.cfm?id=HTMLNewsletter20100825.cfm (17/11/10)

Tanguay A., Maggie Taylor and Tom Chambers, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/pdfs/Chambers_Photo_Selection.pdf(17/11/10)

Tom Chambers (2008), http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/pdfs/Chambers_Shots_Article.pdf (17/11/10)

Tom Chambers Dreaming in Reverse, http://blog.photoeye.com/2010/08/tom-chambers-on-dreaming-in-reverse.html(17/11/10)

Wagner E., Seizure, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/pdfs/Chambers_London_Times_Interview.pdf (17/11/10)

5. Draft of Essay

"Through photomontage I present unspoken stories which illustrate fleeting moments in time and which are intended to evoke a mood in the viewer." Tom Chambers

The role of technology has played an important role since it first became established and since has evolved and taken over as a tool in creating meaning and hence 'tamper with reality'. Tom Chambers focuses heavily on utilising several technology tools, heightening his images which allows him to unveil use of visual language, magical surrealism and essentially create meaning. In Tom Chambers most recent body of work titled "Dreaming in Reverse" involves his use of technology to create meaning, create an emotional response from the viewer uses surrealism.

a) How the artists' intention/meaning is communicated using visual language and media (specifically digital technologies)

In Chambers' body of work "Dreaming in Reverse" he captures the message of loss of culture

b) The importance of emotional responses in engaging the viewer

c) The role of surrealism

Surrealism is one of Chambers most often used themes not only in 'Dreaming in reverse but it is apparent throughout all of his bodies of work.

Conclusion:

4. Tom Chambers

Tom Chambers statement ~

I build my images, starting with an idea and converting it to a sketch that I follow to create the final image. I photograph the different parts of the final image separately with a medium format camera using transparency film. This film is scanned at a high resolution. The scans are seamlessly combined using Photoshop software on a Macintosh computer to create a file of the final image. The file is then printed onto watercolor paper using archival pigment inks.With time, adolescents begin to abandon the natural, untamed state of childhood for the artificial pretenses of adulthood. After my own daughter's arrival at the complexities of her sixteenth milestone, this juxtaposition captured my attention. In composing a variety of stark, woodland settings in contrast with a billowy dress or other man-made articles, I explore the dichotomy between what is natural and what is fabricated. Why do people costumed in formal dress seem so omnipotent on the street, yet so vulnerable in the wild? Each of these compositions explores a place where unexpected circumstances collide.

Tom Chambers statement, http://www.photoeye.com/gallery/forms2/statement.cfm?id=185856

Tom Chambers on his work:

As an artist I have created photo montages to reveal a personal vision about the nature of children, animals, and their interactions. These images illustrate the fleeting moods that can’t be captured by a traditional camera or seen by the naked eye.

I initially sketch out a concept or idea I have for an image. I photograph each piece of the image using a me-
dium format film camera, generally a Mamiya Pro TL or a Fuji Rangefinder. I am careful to make sure the light
intensity and direction are similar in each of these shots.

This process may take a month depending on how quickly I am able to get all the shots and sort through
them picking the ones which work best together. “Pieces” of the final image may include the landscape or
background, often shot in sections, as well as the sky, a human figure, an animal, or another object. The processed film is scanned at a high resolution, approximately 80 megabytes per frame. Then, I use Photoshop
software with a Macintosh computer to combine each “piece”, thus creating the final image. Lastly, the image
is printed with an Epson printer using archival inks and paper.

Tom Chambers on his work, http://www.artistaday.com/?p=3266

3. Preliminary reading of work

"caging the songbird / enjaulando al pájaro cantor"

This first image titled "caging the songbird" expresses a strong emotion through the role of technology to enhance visual language. This image is one of the more realistic images in Chambers body of work, however the question aroused is why the girl is alone in the desolate room with a bird who has fled the cage. The subject matter appears to be of a girl who has finally come to let go of what has happened in her life with the symbolism of the bird as her letting go of what has occurred. The image shows of the girl letting go and trying to move on from what has happened. From the analysis of this body of work 'dreaming in reverse' it is plausible to assume that she is letting go of the troubles that have happened in her country. However she has done this alone, due to the fact that she is still trying to hold on to the traditional cultural aspects that still remain. However whilst the bird has been released from the cage it seems hesitant or unsure if it should fly away as it looks down to the ground. This also shows the connection between trying to let go of what has occurred but also trying to hold on to culture and traditions.

"glass flower / flor de vidrio"

This second image titled "Glass Flower" definitely shows Chambers' use of photo technology to create his message. When first analysing the image, the focus is point is definitely the deer on the table. This again shows Chambers use of magic realism as the background seems realistic however with the deer making the image appear somewhat untrue. The only noticeable use of technology that Chambers has used is the photoshop of the deer as the lighting of the image appears to be natural light. Chambers again uses animals and children in relation to portray the message. In this image the relation of the girl and deer appear to be very different as the deer appears to be more attentive and aware whilst the girl appears very reserved. The deer appears very attentive due to the fact that its mind is focused on the glass flower. The glass flower portrays the message of warmth and brightness, which I think is a key symbol in this specific body of work as Chambers' portrays the message of conflict but also shows moving on.

2. Appraisal by others

"caging the songbird"
/enjaulando al pájaro cantor"

Lisa Koh, 17 years old
The first piece, caging the songbird seems rather depressing for me. some of the components i've looked at:
- there are 3 main subjects in this photo, the bird, the cage and the girl, and i think they correlate with each other (maybe the bird is symbolising the girl's will? or mind? or even her lover) I see that they are in..unison?? as they are connected to each other ( the girl is looking at the bird and the bird is looking at the girl...well, the girl's foot) The cage is also seen to be closed..so perhaps it illustrates that the bird cannot go back inside the cage afterall
- The bird is on a higher level then the girl: this for me, somehow portrays that the girl is trying to reach or..."capture" the bird back as it used to be but as the bird is on a higher level, I think it represents that whatever she's trying to get is unreachable
- If the bird does represent the girl's lover, I think the situation is "platonic". THe girl's clothes being white somehow can represnt "pure love" or "one-way love" however, the bird is blue?? coloured which represents um...perhaps freedom(?) or the sea and the sky, whcih is far too broad for the girl to handle perhaps..hmm
- the overall vintage setting: the lighting shows that its..sunset..which could mean that it is an end of girl's love(?) but it could also means preparing for a new start. the setting of the room also supports this as the girl and the bird is placed in the corner (portraying that the girl is "cornered" and "have reached the end") however, on the left, it shows a way into another room, which could also represent for a movement or a new start


Rina Schulte, 16 years old
This art work creates sense of connection between the girl and the bird, the cage is a symbol of enclosed space, however the bird looks as if it has freedom being out of the bird. The colours are earthy and natural giving a sense of home and belonging.

Sonya Jeong, 16 years old
I think Chamber is trying to express the freedom through the cage and the bird. The girl staring at the bird looks sad for some reason but it looks like the girl is saying that it is time for the bird to go back to its place, the cage. The colours are very dull and he has used earthy colours which gives a calm and lonely mood to the work.

"glass flower / flor de vidrio"

Lisa Koh, 17 years old

- there are 3 main components in this pic as well, the girl, the flower and the....o_o...deer/cow...i swear that looks like a calf..anywho..unlike the picture before, there are no special...connection between the girl and the animal..as the girl is looking away and the dow (deer/cow) is only interested in the flower. Maybe this portrays ignorance towards the reality, because the dow (possibly representing the girl's mind..i dunno y but the animals seems like its "unity" with the girl..) is wanting the flower (possibly symbolising a certain goal?) but the girl turned her head, showing ignorance

- Also the girl's body position: crossing of the leg and laying of the hands on her lap conveys a defensive position..so maybe its not ignorance but running away from the reality as well..as it shows that she doesnt want to face the reality face to face...
- the dow is higher than the girl in this pic as well..showing some sort of hierachy or an unreachable position like the pic above...
-.....random..but that ..wat-cha-ma called...the celling light?? thingy?? it looks like its going to fall on dow.

Rina Schulte, 16 years old
Tom Chambers often uses children and animals as his subject matter in his body of work and it creates that sense of animals as human beings. They have emotions and sometimes act like us... The deer looks curious and smells the glass flower, interested in the objects in our world.

Sonya Jeong, 16 years old
The deer smelling the flower seems like it wants to go back to its environment, the wild forest. The girl at the back looks like she's trying to ignore the deer's action by staring into a different space. The colours in this work is also very calm, the overall work gives a sadness and sorrowful feeling to the audience.

1. Tom Chambers - Dreaming in Reverse

"caging the songbird / enjaulando al pájaro cantor"

"glass flower / flor de vidrio"

"seabird mimicry / mímica de aves marinas"

In Tom Chambers body of work 'Dreaming in Reverse', he is able to capture the authenticity of Spanish culture through photomontage. Through this series, Chambers is able to express the emotions of Mexican people whilst also showing the simplistic landscape and physical beauty. Chambers focuses on his previous trip to Mexico as he saw a stumbling country faced by political and economic challenges. Which Mexican people were incapable and appeared threatened by the potential loss of their cultural richness. To capture these focuses, Chambers uses magical realism which essential shows settings which appears to be real apart from a few elements which then create a sense of uncertainty. Through magical realism, this allowed Chambers to express the loss experienced by the Mexican people, as well as honor the grace of Mexican culture.

Tom Chambers comments on 'Dreaming in Reverse'

Twenty-five years ago I traveled freely throughout the Mexican countryside where I relished a warm, welcoming, and slow-paced style of living. I was heartened by the physical beauty of the landscape and the simple, pure lifestyles shared by both the Hispanic and indigenous people of Mexico. A sense of spirituality and magic were imbedded in their religious practices, crafts, art, dance, and literature. Recently, I returned to Mexico where I experienced a country teetering on the brink of change created by increasing political and economic challenges, and exacerbated by the trappings of global consumerism. The Mexican people appeared handcuffed by demands largely outside of their control and threatened by the potential loss of their cultural richness.

Sensing that little time remains to photograph the beauty of Mexico, I have created the series "Dreaming In Reverse" to express both my concern for cultural loss, as well as my appreciation for the inherent loveliness of Mexican life. Employing magic realism, an art genre used in the early twentieth century in Mexico, I have attempted to create images of Mexico which seem true and believable, but also perhaps improbable. These photomontages illustrate my dreams for the Mexican people that they are able to retain the authenticity of their culture.

Tom Chambers, http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/portfolio_dreaming_in_reverse.html