My previous work is simply titled “LaVaughne”, the name of the mannequin featured in the picture. I was inspired by postmodernism and the idea of the ‘constructed’ image, and also the idea of uncanny or strange images. To construct the image I deconstructed my mannequin, and photographed her in a surreal broken state. It was my intention to reflect the artificiality of aspects of our current society, and how it can result in destruction. I hoped that the image would also highlight the unreasonable expectations in current modern culture, and how it can break individuals’ sense of identity. The last idea I wanted to express was that of the decreasing levels of individuality in personal interaction; there is so much technology in society it is easy to misconstrue statements, and lose oneself in it all. I took the exposure on 400 Kodak TMax in Black and White Photography (taught by Colleen Choquette) in February 2011. It had just snowed, and was mid-afternoon. I developed it in early March, with a #2 filter. I used spot-tone pens to edit some water spots and other imperfections. It was included in my final portfolio for that course.
