What a frightful site

Whilst working on my dissertation a memory arose. There was this fascinating place I visited in Rome (I think in 2006) called the Capuchin Crypt. It was one of the most morbidly fascinating places I have ever been to. The walls were elegantly decorated with bones belonging to friars (and other people who were moved from a mass grave) as well as friars who were not yet quite just bone. These friars were standing (with aid) or laying upon a mass neat pile of bones whilst their skin remained in a state of decay. I predominately remember one friar who lay upon a pile of bones, whose hood of his robe covered his eyes, but his jaw had slid open and to the side as if in an awkward scream. It was horrifying, but not enough to put me off to see the rest of the Crypt. At the end however was a sign that read “As you are, we once were. As we are, you will someday be." Enough to send shivers down anyones spine. I shortly left, particularly when I found out the place was rumored to be haunted. 


A place that is defiantly worth a visit, and one I would re-visit. 




Photograph taken from Google.

Sneak Preview

Just a little glimpse into my set. Am going to try do a re shoot on 5x4 instead with the aid of a fellow student, as I seem to have an inability to work with one!

What Will Be Will Be

Currently I'm in between two states of emotion, excitement and anxiety, I believe the two will go well together in the production of my work, (I hear the two don't mix so well biologically). Dissertation seems to be making progress, a slow one at that, but nevertheless still progress. Plus I feel like I'm learning furthermore, which makes me feel like I have accomplished something, like when man landed on the moon. OK perhaps slightly exaggerated but still.
My practical will be shortly going into production, a little nervous as I have never constructed a set in my life, but currently it feels like it might just require basic DIY... that of which I do not have. This time I'm sure I will blame my tools.

Matthieu Lavanchy

Just someone I came across doing my research for university work. Quite liked it so thought I'd share. Simply he created his own character named Mr. Schuhlmann and its his reaction to living in terror of terror. 

MR. SCHUHLMANN or THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE

One memory lost

Well, I had been hoping to be putting some photographs up, but I mucked up. I won't be a bad worker and blame my tools.
I spent a couple of days in hospital documenting my fathers stay after having his knee replaced. Initially I wasn't going to come and visit as he preferred I focused on my university studies. However, surprise! I turned up armed with liquorish and a camera. Luckily my Pa was pleasantly surprised.
I couldn't wait for these photographs to come out and as an added bonus the hospital was amazingly lit.
So you can probably imagine how annoyed I felt when the film became exposed. I had been mainly relying on my film camera, taking limited shots on my mobile phone. I guess technology has always had its advantages.

There will be so much that will be forgotten, the little details such as the pattern on the curtain and the bed sheets, the Mr Juicy orange cartons, the strange physio machinery, the dinning room, the smiles on each family member and the sliding doors that provided each individual their private space whom all watched Strictly Come Dancing from the comforts of their own bed.

I guess not all is lost.

Next Little Project...

As I think of my time here at Uni and life, I begin to think how I haven't documented the mundane side to my life here. I take photographs of birthdays/nights out/friends etc, and even in my practice I enjoy documentary photography and the mundaneness of images that are so simple and quiet, yet speak volumes. So I have decided I'm going to pick up one of my film cameras that I have yet to use and go about documenting my life at home. Then I'l have something to reflect on when I'm older, show friends and family or even kids what my life was like in the simple ways, after all uni isn't just partying.

'Man With a Movie Camera'

I actually thought this film was crazily good. For me it is the embodiment of what photography basically means, depicting voyeurism and the camera being an automaton (man and machine), whilst also depicting the fact that (photography) and film confronts issues on life and death. For example dolls at the start of the film are shown to be stationary, not alive, but as the film pursues in operation the dolls come to life, they start to use a sewing machine or ride a bike, all rather uncanny (another aspect of photography).

I could ramble on for a long time about this film, and perhaps write a dissertation on it alone, but I won't because I'm not sure when I would stop and how long it would take for me to get to a stopping point. Also I do not know how many people actually read blogs that go on for ever and a day (even if it may be an interesting read).

'Man With a Movie Camera' (as well as Peeping Tom, of course) is a definite worth while watch, but be prepared for an hour of images, black and white, still and moving, flashing up on the screen with music that is actually rather fitting. To think this film was made in 1929 it holds some pure brilliance, technology wise as well as depicting visually a theoretical and political aspect.