Beauty: 'Black is Beautiful' by Eve Arnold

Above image photographed by myself from at The Sunday Times Magazine 50th Anniversary exhibition at Paintworks, Bristol (Mar 23 – Apr 3 2012)

‘This image by Eve Arnold of an unnamed model was used as a cover picture in 1969. It was seen as ground-breaking at the time, even though the Civil Rights Movement in the US had already made great strides towards racial equality. Other photographs, taken mainly in Harlem, and a report by Eve Arnold addressed the slogan “black is beautiful”, which was in widespread use at the time. It was coined by the black poet and social activist Langston Hughes.’ - accompanying caption to image at the exhibition.

I believe Arnold’s image truly captures black beauty and that beauty isn’t restricted to one race. Publishing such a controversial image (at that time) in a national newspaper was a great platform to showcase ‘other’ types of beauty and challenged racial segregation and beauty. Who are we to say one race is superior and more beautiful than the other?

Useful Links:

Paintworks - The Sunday Times 50th Anniversary Exhibition http://www.paintworksevents.co.uk/index.php?id=121&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=179&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=120&cHash=1580295d84

The Sunday Times 50th Anniversary Exhibition http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/magazine/article858993.ece

Magnum Photos - Eve Arnold http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.PhotographerDetail_VPage&l1=0&pid=2K7O3R14AZX1&nm=Eve%20Arnold

Exhibition Review: Someone Else by Shilpa Gupta

Arnolfini, Bristol

3 March 2012 - 22 April 2012

Image: Taken by myself at the exhibition, 'Singing Cloud' (2008-09)

After attending Sophy Rickett's 'To The River' exhibition on the ground floor I made my way up to Shilpa Gupta's 'Someone Else' consisting of five artworks spanning 7 years of work. I was particularly interested in her work especially her choice of medium using 3D art installation, typography and photography. Her work examines 'themes of desire, conflict, militarism, security, technology and censorship' [1] The varying pieces look at how the media affects us. Exploring the theme of media grabs my attention as am interested in the relationship between the two. 

As we enter the first room, 'Someone Else' one see's a metallic book shelf consisting of 100 silver 'blocks'. Only until one looks closer you realize that they are recreations of books from all over the world that have been written either anonymously or under a pseudonym. On the cover she explains why the author had chosen anonymity. I was engrossed in reading the reason and learnt a lot historically from this piece of art. Shame I didn't have enough time to read through all 100 of them! The second piece was the main attraction of the show, 'Singing Cloud', a suspended giant cloud made of 4000 microphones. She reversed the function of the microphone and its emits a soundtrack rather than used to record. I was very impressed with this art sculpture and gave an unsettling experience especially as the room was dark, one could just see the small reflections of light bouncing off the microphone heads. This room was shared with a flap-board used to announce departures so the echoes transmitted around the room in the shadows gave an eerie feel which I particularly enjoyed as a piece of art doesn't usually leave an unsettling effect on me. The penultimate piece were four photographs of her stylized in military clothing pinned to the wall that are part of a wider series 'Don't see Don't Hear Don't Speak'. She shows the effect of violence in today's society and makes the viewer think about today's current affairs. The final piece is brightly bold typographic piece entitled 'There is No Border Here' shaped in a flag. She explores the idea of borders and nationhood and as an Indian artist this piece feels like a reflection of her. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition as I didn't know what to expect moving from one room to the other and the atmosphere differentiated entirely creating a new buzz every time. I enjoyed the diversity exhibited and hope to see more of her exhibitions in the future.

References:

1. Exhibition Guide document - Arnolfini, Shilpa Gupta, Someone Else

Useful Links:

Arnolfini - Shilpa Gupta http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/details/1234

Shilpa Gupta http://www.flyinthe.net/

More of my photos from the exhibition:

 'Someone Else' (2011-12)

'Someone Else' (2011-12)

'Someone Else' (2012-12)

'Untitled' (2008-09)

'Untitled' (2006)

'There is No Border Here' (2005-06)

'There is No Border Here' (2005-06)

Exhibtion Review: To The River by Sophy Rickett

Arnolfini, Bristol

3 March 2012 - 22 April 2012

Image: Taken by myself at the exhibition

On the 5th March I travelled to Bristol with my BA Photography course and the first exhibition on show at the Arnolfini was Sophy Ricketts' 'To The River' (2011). When first entering we are surrounded by vast blackness to be only accompanied by 3 video installations in different corners of the room and 12 channels of sound [1]. This is an unusual experience as I am so used to hung framed works on white painted walls as a typical exhibition space. Rickett, amongst a new wave of artists experimenting with video installation, explores 'her interest in our encounter with the natural world [and] the process around photographic representation.' [1] In 2010 during the spring equinox she had filmed on the bank of the River Severn recording a small crowd of people gathered to wait for the Severn Bore to pass. Though this work has been previously exhibited at the Venice Biennale, this project was brought home as Bristol shares great history with the River Severn due to its location. Though unseen, the main subject matter and inspiration is the landscape and the river. I found the experience quite unsettling due to the bouncing of sounds echoing through the vast space and the visitor hearing only snippets of conversation making it more realistic to how it would feel to stand amongst the crowd. I think the blackness emphasizes the night making the exhibition four dimensional. Though the work itself hasn't been particularly inspiring for me due to repetition of film scenes and subject matter, her ambitious methods of large scale installation shows upcoming artists that the possibilities of medium and exhibiting modes are boundless.

Upstairs: A small room filled with Rickett's research from her sketchbook. This juxtaposes the feeling in the first gallery space of black and vastness, this room was white and enclosed.

References:

1. Exhibition Guide document- Arnolfini, Sophy Rickett: To The River

Useful Links:

Arnolfini - Sophy Rickett http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/details/1235

Sophy Rickett http://www.fotonet.org.uk/rickett/index.html

Decadent Dreamer by Nisha Haq ft.Olivia Haigh, July 2011

What a gorgeous young woman she is! Being friends for over 3 years, it was time for a much needed collaborative fashion photo shoot. It certainly helps having friends as attractive as Olivia! As Bristol is a common meet up place for us, it was rather fitting to shoot in this wonderful vibrant city. (Shot in Cabot Circus and on Brandon Hill.) As I grew up in the South West far from big cities, when I'd visit Bristol it was always treat. The sense of fashion in Bristol is great and as my first editorial fashion shoot I just wanted to show the fashion of fun and youth. Girl About Town is about feeling chic in the city and that excitement and vibrancy.

Photography & Styling: Nisha Haq

Model, Hair & Make Up: Olivia Haigh

Red Heels, Clutch Bag, Purple Jacket: New Look

Leopard Print Top: Topshop

Blue Skirt: H&M

Red Tights, Black Dress, Necklace: Model's Own