Reflect on the pieces of work discussed in this project in your learning log and
do some further research of your own.
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself:
● How do these images make you feel?
● Do you think there’s an element of narcissism or self-indulgence in
focusing on your own identity in this way?
● What’s the significance of Brotherus’s nakedness?
● Can such images ‘work’ for an outsider without accompanying text?
● Do you think any of these artists are also addressing wider issues beyond
the purely personal?
Make some notes in your learning log.

Notes:

Elina Brotherus – a finnish photographer and video artist, specialising in self portraits and landscapes. An exploration of herself and as a study of her circumstances – an excellent example of using photography as an investigative tool

Annonciation is a word based on Ennunciation which is the announcement of the birth of Jesus to Mary, a virgin birth. The exhibition called Annonciation in 2004 at The Photographer’s Gallery – London – details her IVF treatment over a 5 year period – the title that refers to Mary’s immaculate conception is in direct contrast to her own experiences

Involuntary childlessness is such a taboo subject still and the artist sets out to break this taboo.

In Elina’s video interview below she mentions that she does not like smiles in a photograph because it fixes the meaning immediately, I have often wondered why many artists do this.

She also uses the body in many of her images but a “showing and hiding” theme such as a steamed up glass showing and hiding parts of the body. An image with a gazing ball is another example

Family portraits have become more thought provoking and honest in some photographers’ work like Sally Mann, Elinor Carucci, Richard Billingham and Tierney Gearon – they have moved from the stereotypical nice cute photos expected in this genre to a more realistic portrayal of family.

How do these images make me feel?

Sadness is the main feeling when looking at her work, the starkness of the interior adds to this feeling but the eyes, sloped shoulders and the artist looking down or her back to the camera portrays negativity. The starkness of the images adds to the sense of loneliness she is feeling and this comes across. The sense of loneliness also comes across with her use of negative space which could be interpreted as voids or literal emptiness in the home where a family should be occupying this physical space.

Do you think there’s an element of narcissism or self-indulgence in
focusing on your own identity in this way?

Yes I do think there is an element of narcissism in these images because they are based totally on herself, however, she has made a point that she hopes these images show the outside world what it’s like when infertility dosen’t work for a large group of people who are overlooked in the media. There is an irony that although the work is focused on herself, many people will be able to relate to this and it may highlight their plight, give other people like her a voice, and create a positive outcome in a change of attitude and support for people in this unfortunate situation.

What’s the significance of Brotherus’s nakedness?

It is as if the artist is allowing the viewer into her personal, private space that is hidden from the outside world when she steps out the door of her home. It could be a glimpse behind the curtain not often seen. The nudity is a shock factor that grabs people’s attention, so if the purpose of the work is to do this, the use of her own naked body in the work will help to achieve this.

Can such images ‘work’ for an outsider without accompanying text?

I don’t think it works for an outsider without accompanying text because there is a specific message the artist wants to communicate to an audience and so the text ensures there is no ambiguity and the message is therefore controlled.

Do you think any of these artists are also addressing wider issues beyond
the purely personal?

Yes I do believe this. She is addressing the lack of support and awareness of the large group of people who are unsuccessful after receiving fertility treatment. She makes the comment that the media only focus on the rare success stories that are more popular.

Elina Brotherus. 2020. Photography — Elina Brotherus. [online] Available at: <http://www.elinabrotherus.com/photography&gt; [Accessed 31 October 2020].

The Phoblographer. 2020. Nudity Pertaining To Photography: Is It Really Necessary? (NSFW). [online] Available at: <https://www.thephoblographer.com/2020/06/04/nudity-pertaining-to-photography-is-it-really-necessary-nsfw/&gt; [Accessed 31 October 2020].