Transformations: Photographing the Nude - A Written Statement

Abstract

As an Art History major, making my own art instead of researching someone else's work may not seem like a logical or even natural choice, but then slaughtering my finest impulses does not make any sense either. I struggled with the decision to do a photography SIP because since I've been at Kalamazoo College my photography, one of my greatest passions, has always been second to my academics. Of course I knew that when I came here, but I never realized how difficult and frustrating it could be. As dramatic as it may sound, I have found myself killing my own ideas; rather Page 2 I have put them on hold and, after never having time to truly develop them, they just seemed to die themselves. Not getting one's ideas out into the external and actualizing them is deadly for an artist; never having the time to realize my ideas--whether they be good or bad, successful or not--proved to be incredibly frustrating for me. This is one of the main reasons why, as an Art History major, I decided to pursue a photography SIP. The above quote was sent to me the quarter before I was to do my SIP, and it had tremendous influence on my decision. I came to the conclusion that I cannot wait any longer; I refuse to stifle myself anymore. I have a great passion for photography, and to do something that is one of the most important and understandable means of communication for me for my SIP was paramount.