HollisMehlingHawkenProjects2023

  I was inspired to do this project as a means of furthering my photo knowledge. I find that in the process of learning about photography, each answer comes with several deeper questions. Whether it's the history of photography, great photographers, camera techniques, darkroom processes, or editing methods I enjoy learning about it all. However, my knowledge was never really compared or related with any knowledge of the current interworking of what is known as the “art world”. I sought to gain experience in the so-called art world . As most of my photographic endeavors have not taken place in an environment of full-time art enthusiasts. My main question as I went into this project was: In what ways can photography convey ideas and deepen perspectives? I have now realized that one of the main objectives of the medium is to push the boundaries of its own use and application relating to meaning and perspective. The question has an almost infinite number of answers, and in the sear...

  Towards the end of the week of May 22 nd , I designed a poster to advertise my “Summer Reception” for the “Through the Student Lens” show. One of these posters went up in the hallway near the gallery. Another poster will likely go up at Hawken School. I was given the photo assignment to go to Holden Arboretum and take pictures. However, I was challenged by not using eye level or straight-on angles. I also wasn’t taking photos where the foliage was the subject. These restrictions pushed me to think more creatively about composition and subject matter. I think I always produce something interesting when I challenge myself, and I feel like I should challenge myself more in my photo endeavors. I found that after these restrictions the subjects of most of my photos were animals. I took photos of birds, chipmunks, a squirrel, and a frog. I struggled to find interesting angles atop the emergent tower at the Arboretum. Conventional thinking would suggest a straight-on angle of the landsc...

 At the  beginning of the week of May 22, I had more opportunities to learn about the responsibilities of an artist and gallery owner. I got to sit in on a discussion about the use of street signage to advertise the gallery. Foothill Galleries is allotted a window display for advertising, and Mr. Weil is working to update the look. The old display included a banner with the details and graphics of the gallery along with old cameras, tripods, and works of photography. Updating this will involve creating a new banner. I learned a lot about the chemistry in the chain that is artist, gallery owner, and the landlord. I was also as able to tag along to the Cleveland Institute of Art print room. Mr. Weil had some prints of his work that he had to pick up.   At the print room, I met the person in charge of the print facility, and I helped move around and pack up some prints. Mr. Weil also showed me the process to give the edges a deckled appearance. After returning, I created a g...

       Later in the week of May 15 th , had to arrange, hang, space, level, and light the students' prints. To arrange the prints, I had to come up with an arrangement scheme. First, I sorted the pieces by subject matter, for example, landscapes, portraits, still lives, etc. Then, I arranged them by the artist within-subject, and I also arranged them by which I think would transition nicely into another. In one area, I had a nice arrangement of two images with heavy oranges next to two images with complimentary heavy blues. Hanging the prints involved clipping them to a piece of cardboard with four metal clothes pins, and the two wires from the track-based hanging system ran through the top two clothes pins. I used a tape measure to space the prints. I spaced the prints equally in between prints, but I gave them a little more space from the wall so they wouldn’t look cramped. I was able to use a laser level to help level the pieces. However, the level was not the fin...

      The clear objective of week two was to gather, arrange, and hang pieces for the “Through the Student Lens” show. I spent the earlier part of the week reminding teachers that their students had to print out their works in order to be presented at the show. It was decided that using metal clothespins and cardboard to hang the pieces would be the most reasonable method. It was decided that Wednesday the 17 th was the drop-off day for students' work. Submitted were 27 pieces by 11 unique high school photographers. Also, I sent out a formal invitation to the event. Mr. Weil publicized the event on the Foothill Galleries website. I devoted a day to working in the darkroom to generate prints that would fit the 13 by 19-inch dimension. I chose to print two negatives I had already shot and printed for my independent study, Globes, and Bustle . I was printing at a scale that I was unfamiliar with. I had to cut a custom mask in order to print onto the fiber-based silver...

      In preparation for the “Through the Student Lens” show, I reached out to the artists who submitted work in order to encourage them to print out their works. I also created a graphic in Adobe Express to promote the show. I utilized my previous knowledge of digital design, and I included one of the images that will be in the show. The graphic features red which I would call “brick” and an off-white I would call “porcelain.” This is accompanied by some text in the “brick” and a green I might refer to as “emerald.” I was told by Mr. Weil that the show will be hung as prints metal-clothes-pinned to cardboard backings. I find it interesting to look at all of the submissions sent by students. I see how their “vision” or “eye” as a photographer differs from mine. Looking at these incongruities between style makes clear the influences of my perspective and experiences on my photography. It is present in the way that I bias my photos and choose subjects. I think that thi...

       I am working with Michael Weil and Foothill Galleries to complete an internship. In April, I attended the opening of the most recent show in the gallery The Love You Share by Angelo Merendino. This was a beautiful collection of images that tell the story of his late wife. Each image is a snapshot in time of her battle with cancer. From this show, I learned about the environment of a photography exhibit opening. However, it was a little nerve-racking because it was my first time meeting Mr. Weil and it was an environment of unfamiliar people, but despite this, upon entry, I found a very welcoming setting.  I was very pleased to meet Mr. Weil and Mr. Merendino. From being introduced to people at the showing, I found a tight-knit community of people who care about each other and art. In the first few days, I learned about analyzing photography, arranging furniture, and setting up a show. I also started work on an exhibition of my own that I would compose of...

       I was inspired to do this project by my love for the medium of photography. I have been learning about photography since Junior year, and I enjoy expressing myself through the photographs I create. Before Junior year, I never really enjoyed photography like I do now. An aspect of my project that is new to me, is learning about the inner workings of a gallery. I hope my project builds my photographic skill and connections with the Cleveland Photography scene. My central question is: in what ways can photography convey ideas and deepen perspectives? Most of the work I will be doing for my project will be at Foothill Galleries in Cleveland Heights. It is planned that I will assemble a student art show that will open on the night of Sunday, May 21, 2023.