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Jennie

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Jennie Shapira

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MISPLACEMENT

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……….For me, eroticism tickles the uncomfortable; it’s the delicate play of contrasting themes, acting perversely to make the viewer experience the combative feelings of ease and unease. It’s the product of a dichotomy between overt sexuality and something that both pushes you back and draws you in. What defines erotic as erotic is precisely this interaction. The concept of seeing only enough to force you to fill in the rest plays strongly with my views of eroticism, allowing a not-fully nude image to sometimes be more sexually driven than one where everything is purely raw.

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Jennie

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As a deeper conversation with the viewer, the creation of a scene which beckons for an accompanying narrative causes the interaction to deepen. In the end, it doesn’t matter if the story is the same as the stories imagined by all the others, nor the story imagined by the subject at the time of creation, as long as it is one that spawns a desire to know the character and know how the depicted situation managed to occur.

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Jennie

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In order to embody these themes and appropriately have them relate to the ‘philo’ environment located at UPenn’s College Hall, I imagined one half of the dynamic play to involve the concept of purity and intellectual soundness. The Philomathean Halls are gilded with knowledge, so a fair counter would be one that’s slightly disturbing and somewhat scandalous, which would eject itself from the ‘ivy-bubble’ as much as possible. To show eroticism, I plan to pose myself in an uncomfortable, tied-up fashion, as if just left in this building, for non-specific torture to ensue. Such would invoke much internal conversation, a discomfort with the image, and a great contrast with the neat, orderly, olden feel of the library.

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Jennie

To Be Continued………..

Desert Beauty

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Madeleine Shiff

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……….Why is a distorted lone tree in the desert beautiful? Why are the simplest things often the most beautiful? With this assignment I chose to explore the complexities and contradictions of the Arizona landscape. I became particularly interested in the juxtaposition of twisted, grotesque trees, and the majestic Catalina mountains. The exploration of the concept of ‘what is a photograph’ is particularly interesting to me. As Susan Sontag states in On Photography, “ although there is a sense in which the camera does indeed capture reality, not just interpret it, photographs are as much an interpretation of the world as painting and drawings are”. What do we really see when we view a photograph? To me, a photograph is compelling when it does not just depict reality. A photograph is compelling because its composition evokes a deep visceral reaction in the viewer.

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Catalina Mountains

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The Arizona landscape is harsh and savage. Few plants or animals can survive in this landscape. From far away the spikes of a cactus appear vicious and hostile, yet up close the spikes appear delicate and beautiful. This photograph lends itself to the idea that objects in a photograph can appear completely different than they do in reality. Furthermore, objects can appear ‘ugly’ in reality yet beautiful in a photograph because of its composition.

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Cactus

Sontag also examines the tension between beauty and ‘ugliness’. I believe that remarkable photographic opportunities lie within this tension between beauty and ugliness. This is a concept that I examined with my photographs in Arizona. A bare tree without leaves can appear lonely in the desert landscape; however, it can also appear proud and dignified in its bareness. Photographs do not merely capture reality; they capture the desires and motivations of the photographer as well. Through this series of pictures, I sought to capture both traditional objects of beauty such as the Catalina Mountains, as well as unorthodox objects of beauty such as an old, lifeless tree.

About The Author: Madeleine Shiff is enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2013.

Machu Picchu

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Dan Liu

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I still remember my interest in Peru started from a Machu Picchu jigsaw puzzle; a birthday present from my parents when I was little. Since then I have always been dreaming to travel to this seemingly unreachable country, and feel the mysterious Inca culture. A number of pictures were taken in Cusco, the place that used to be the capital of the Inca Empire: a place that witnessed the history of Inca. The city itself feels like a textbook, you can learn a lot about Peru and Inca culture from it – if you are modest enough.

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Cusco

I was attracted by the balcony in the above photo and the design of the side of the building when spontaneiously just when I was about to take a picture – two Peruvian women in traditional clothes entered the cameras view. This beautiful painting in front of me almost brought me back to 500 years ago – until I realized that one of them was talking on a cell phone.

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Rail Station

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My curiosity led me to see the rails that used to take people from Cusco to Machu Picchu directly. The service was stopped a few years ago due to a flood. Even though I almost missed my flight because of this unplanned adventure, I was very happy that I made it. This is the only train that connects Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) to the outside world. It told me another story about Cusco and Peru. My favorite picture of Cusco was the Cathedral of Cusco. The construction began in 1550 and was completed a century later. Even though it is considered one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in the Americas – you can still find the Inca vestiges through the non-Christian imagery that is carved on the main entrance door: figures of Pumas, the Inca representation of the Earth.

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Cathedral of Cusco

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Hostal

About The Author: Dan Liu is enrolled in the MBA program: Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

Adachi: March for Trayvon Martin

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Ryun Hobbs

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……….On March 26, The 1,000,000 Hoodie March was held in honor of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year old boy shot and killed a month prior on February 26, 2012. There is still much confusion and accusation surrounding his case – such as whether the shooter, George Zimmerman, was chasing after Trayvon, or if there was an altercation. However, some facts are undeniable. There is a 17-year old who is dead and a big reason is because his hoodie made him look “suspicious. Communities of all racial and social groups throughout the nation became enraged at this unjustified murder, demanding that justice be served. This is a series of photos taken before the arrest of George Zimmerman, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Trayvon march.

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I first saw this woman pushing a baby stroller while holding the march poster in the early stages of the procession. Adachi (Adachi.photography@gmail.com) is no stranger to protests, having photographed many of them herself. Her passion for capturing the essence of justice, however, does not stop her from being a caring mother. Both of her children accompanied her as they made a stand together.

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Skittes and Juice

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Some people never are content with sitting back and staying silent. This woman is such a person – she is “armed” with the Skittles and iced tea that Trayvon also possessed at his death, but she is also armed with her voice. Her numerous badges, like military ribbons, flash ceremoniously in the sunlight, making statements about the different inequalities in the world.

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March for Trayvon

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Despite his tough exterior, this man is a peaceful giant. Holding up his sign with extreme ease, he calls for the end of violence and the beginning of peace. “Children are our future,” the sign says, and the image of the shaking hands between cannot help but evoke memories of the late Doctor M. L. King, who had dreamed long ago of a community that rose above racial tension.

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March for Trayvon

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Protesting is almost never a solitary thing. Here, a family expresses their dissatisfaction together, bound to each other not only by their blood but by their mission. It is often easy to forget about murder victims’ families when first learning of the case, but seeing this family and their signs made me wonder how the Martin family Is faring. Condolences go out to them for their loss.

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Love

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As seen in the pictures above, advocates for justice and equality come in all shapes and sizes – spanning multiple ethnic and age differences. After all, we are all a community that must stick together when it is necessary. What keeps everyone together is a bit of anger, a bit of dissatisfaction, and a lot of love – for each other, for the victims, and for what is right.

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R.I.P. Trayvon Martin

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Not everyone’s voice is always heard, but many want to try whatever they can to make their stand as strong as possible. Here, two people sign large canvases of the late Trayvon Martin, which were delivered to his family after the march. Although it may not be a protest sign, it is still a testament to the expectation of receiving equal rights, instead of stereotyped caricatures.

About The Author: Ryun H. Hobbs is a senior enrolled in the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2012

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Editor’s Note: To read more articles by Ryun Hobbs, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Ryan Feit: Cuba

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Ryan Feit

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……….Make no mistake, times are hard in Cuba. Cuba has been frozen in time for the last 50 years. As a result, Cubans have struggled through countless bouts of famine, rations, and crises. The economy collapsed with the fall of the Soviet Union and has been in a downward spiral ever since.

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The older Cubans believe the Socialist propaganda they read in the papers. They seem completely unaware that the world has evolved since 1960. They argue about world events from decades ago and assume that mobile phones and the Internet are simply science fiction.

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Ryan Feit: Cuba

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The architecture is timelessly breathtaking and is evidence of its storied history. However, the houses and apartments have been washed away by time, exposing the real Cuba.

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Yet despite the relentless challenges, the people endure. Music carries the Cuban people just as it has for decades. Havana moves to a collective Salsa beat which puts a smile on the face of even the poorest Cuban.

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Cuba: Ryan Feit

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And they work with what they have. You won’t hear a single complaint that once again it’s a pulled pork sandwich for lunch and rice and beans for dinner.

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Ryan Feit: Cuba

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But the younger generation is excited for the future. They stand up tall, realizing they posses something special. They know that the time is getting close now and they are ready to reveal themselves to the world.

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Ryan Feit: Cuba

Photos by Ryan Feit: Copyright 2012

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About The Author: Ryan Feit is enrolled in the MBA program: Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

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Editor’s Note: To read more articles by Ryan Feit, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Willy Huang

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Willy Huang

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……….Though bicycles may not be the first thing we think of when we think of Philadelphia, a quick glance around its motorways leaves no doubt that they are a fundamental part of its fabric. Designated poles for locking one’s bike are peppered throughout nearly every city street — it’s hard to go more than a hundred feet on Walnut or Chestnut without encountering one.

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Willy Huang

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In fact, there are so many bicycles and bike-related symbols that it’s easy to let them melt into the city and fade out of consciousness as we go about our daily lives. All it takes, though, is one moment to stop and take note of our surroundings to appreciate just how entrenched they are in every street and sidewalk.

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Willy Huang

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It’s just as well: Philadelphia is home to people from all walks of life — those who have traveled near and far through life and the world. It seems appropriate, then, that the bicycle – a traveler’s indomitable and loyal friend for the last century — finds its home here.

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Willy Huang

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There are no polished frames, pristine seats, or spotless wheels here—instead, the scruffs, rust, and tears of each bike tell a story of the journeys that it—and its rider—have braved.

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Willy Huang

And yet, in this city of old, the bicycle is a symbol of the unquenchable thirst to keep moving onwards. It is simultaneously an icon of the past and a vehicle for modernity and progress. A modern motorcycle looks not one bit out of place tucked into an aged alleyway.

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Willy Huang

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True, not all bikes and their riders find good fortune on every step of their journeys. Along the way, bumps and obstacles are met and parts are damaged, lost, or stolen. But though they may be stopped tonight, they will undoubtedly ride on tomorrow.

Copyright 2012

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About The Author: Willy Huang – Jerome Fisher in Management and Technology: The Wharton School of Business – School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2012

Daniel Brooks

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Toan Nguyen

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Taking on this assignment, I knew I had to photograph Daniel Brooks. As a freshman at UPENN, I have become friends with many students since the beginning of the school year. Yet, among those, there is none quite like Daniel. He has charisma – that would make anyone feel like his best friend. Miami is Daniel’s hometown, known for the sunshine and the warm atmosphere that would make any visitor feel like home. Coming from a place that values a relaxing attitude, Brooks expresses himself fully as a person that is always willing to smile. His facial expression of smiling and laughing at the same time accentuates a sense of happiness, his usual emotional state.

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Daniel Brooks

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As Brooks and I became close friends, I also got to know his other emotional states, other than happiness. Very often, when he is upset, he usually knits his eyebrow as if there are many thoughts in his mind.

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Brooks is a smoker. While many smoke to show off their coolness, Brooks is different. He finds in smoking the tranquility he needs when things do not turn out the way he wants. Brooks, then, often smokes when he is upset or feels the urge to clear out his mind. The act of exhaling smoke, as he describes, symbolizes the feeling of relieving stressfulness, which brings him peacefulness.

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Daniel Brooks

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Another reason that he smokes, is because occasionally smoking allows Brooks to concentrate. When there are various external circumstances that distract Brooks from focusing on a certain issue, smoking allows him to eliminate those distractions in his thinking process. This is fascinating, as not only smoking is helpful as a tool of relaxation, it aids him in his thinking.

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Daniel Brooks

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My friend has a habit of exhaling very slowly to watch the smoke vanishing in the air. This is also a reason why I like capturing photographs of him exhaling smoke and with this eyes gazing at the smoke slowly vanishing. This brings a dreamy mood for Brooks, the character in the photo as he seeks tranquility in his activity.

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Daniel Brooks, therefore, presents himself as a character with happiness, as illustrated by a constant smile and laugh on his face. Yet, when he is at other emotional states, there are certain facial expressions or habits that are attached with them. The knitting of the eyebrows and the habit of smoking and gazing at the smoke vanishing characterize Brooks as a very deep person in accordance with his happiness.

About The Author: Toan Nguyen is a freshman enrolled in the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2015

Mikel & Miles: Malibu, 1988

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Mikel Elam

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…………I love this photo of Me imitating Miles! It was the summer of 1988 and my second year as Miles’s assistant. We were at his home in Malibu, California for a few days – before leaving for Japan for various musical engagements. The man in the background of the photo is famed architect, John Lautner – who designed Chemosphere, the masterpiece home used as a backdrop for Brian Dipalma’s film entitled, Body Double. Miles was going to build an extension on his home, to include a painting studio. Of course Miles only wanted the most progressive artists consulting with him, so he chose John to design it.

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Mikel Elam: Strange Addiction

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Editor’s Note: To see more of Mike Elam’s paintings, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Sarah and the Daguerreotype

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Leah Apple

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I decided to make this entire series black and white, although I did give some of the photos a more greenish hue in an attempt to capture a more dream-like, ‘Wizard of Oz’ kind of an environment. The purely black and white photos represent the undeniable reality.

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Early 19th Century to Present

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Sarah lives inside of her own head. She has recently been experimenting with a sort of “old-world” look: high-neck, drop waist dresses, and modest collared blouses. She enjoys shopping for antique art, and together, we have enjoyed admiring daguerreotypes in second hand stores. The daguerreotype (next to Sarah’s portrait) inspired the lead photo because I was struck by how much power and emotion it captured in spite of the fact that the viewer does not see the girl’s eyes. Similarly, the photograph of Sarah next to it explores the ridges and texture of her face without being distracted by the eyes.

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Sarah

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The Eyes are the Window to the Soul

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Sarah finally lifts her gaze and momentarily, invites me into her world. I see that what I first perceived as aloofness is actually depth. Her penetrating stare reveals someone who is deeply contemplative, and perhaps lonely and vulnerable. Sarah reveals that for the first time in her life, she feels “weak” within her relationship. Whereas she’s used to feeling like she wields the power, Sarah now feels like she might be more in love with her boyfriend than he is with her.

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Sarah

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Passion

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As she begins to expose herself, I notice subtle changes in Sarah’s gaze. She is still collected, composed, but she cannot mask her sadness. The intensity of her stare is emblematic of Sarah as a person: she is passionate about everything she does. Now though, when she feels that her passion is unrequited within her relationship, Sarah wonders whether she needs to lower her intensity level, and ponders how to go about changing herself.

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Sarah

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On her Turf

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“I need to have a discussion with my boyfriend,” Sarah states vehemently. “I need to tell him how I feel.” She wants this conversation to take place on “her turf” though, so that she can feel like she has control over the location, even if she doesn’t have a say in the relationship. We head over to her apartment to take photos in her own environment.

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Sarah

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Confidence

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It’s nice to see Sarah in her own environment. She radiates confidence in every pose, and it strikes me now, just how difficult it must be for her to feel as if her love is not reciprocated. But this photo proves that she has not lost her ego altogether; she is still well-aware of what a striking young woman she is.

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Sarah

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Laughter

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Albeit brief, Sarah finds herself smiling and laughing in front of the camera. She is so unaware of herself, and it is charming. I am grateful to have been able to capture this moment if for no other reason than to remind her of what it is like to not feel as though you’re posturing every moment, consciously acting in a certain way in the hopes of gaining another persons affection. Sarah’s naturalness is her greatest strength.

About the Author: Leah Apple is a junior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2013

Demetra

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Bennett Lee

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Demetra’s as whimsical as they come. She has the naivety of a kid. Her child-like innocence allows the simple things in life to make her happy. We’ll be walking down a street and she’ll spot a balloon in an alley. As she throws it up into the air, you can see her face glow with excitement like a toddler opening her first Christmas present.

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Despite being a 20 year-old Wharton student, she’s pretty simple and is innately drawn to colorful things for no reason other than that they make her smile. Exploring places with her makes me feel like I’m in the movie Garden State.

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Unlike me, she’s always looking to explore and find something new and when she does, she immediately yanks me at the wrist, forcing me to check out whatever captures her attention. It’s often hard for me to understand her fascination, but as she forces me to slow down, I find myself beginning to like the cute Cat sticker on a pet-store window on South Street.

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South Street: Pet Store Window

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It’s a pleasant adventure walking with Demetra, and it’s our nice way of ending a hectic week of school. It’s very serene being away from all of the stress at Penn and the constraints of the world slowly begins to melt as we enjoy our time together.

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Demetra

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My intent in this series was to illustrate happiness in the way it unfolded to me. My vision of happiness evolved to incorporate an appreciation for the little things in this world. My hope is that these pictures will convey to my audience the curiosity and innocence my friend has so they too can slow down and appreciate the simple joys this world has to offer.

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Demetra

About The Author: Bennett Lee is enrolled in The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology – The Wharton School | School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania Class of 2013 – Copyright 2012

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Editor’s Note: To read more articles by Bennett Lee, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.