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