Sarah Barr at AIB

Friday, February 24, 2012

Typology

During the January residency, many people suggested I look at the work of the influential German artists and teachers Bernd and Hilla Becher because I have been photographing several Catholic churches and studying the archive as artform.

The Bechers documented industrial buildings and structures beginning in the late 1950s and usually presented their silver prints of specific types of structures, such as the Water Towers below, in a grid. They photographed these structures from the same point of view, under the same lighting and weather conditions to produce images that emphasize the differences and similarities. Their work highlighted the need for preservation.

1978-1985
Black and white photograph, gelatin-silver print
40 x 30 cm

Below are three examples of sacristy sinks in the top row and three examples of confessionals in the bottom row. I don't think I'll exhibit my work like this but it was interesting to see that I had been photographing specific aspects of each church.

And for fun, I can't help but think that these posters are part of the Becher legacy...

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Orphans

Here are some images of the piece I just finished titled Orphans, St. Bonifacius. (Pardon the reflections). The large print of nine organ toes (roughly 18" x 11") is matted and framed. Two memorial cards are held in between the frame and glass. The image on the front of the memorial card is of the balcony in the back of the church where the remains of the organ were.

The quote on the back from critic John Ruskin reads: "We must note carefully what distinction there is between a healthy and a diseased love of change; for as it was in healthy love of change that Gothic architecture rose, it was partly in consequence of diseased love of change that it was destroyed."

Monday, December 5, 2011

Editing in December

I've submitted my final papers to my adviser. Now it's time to prepare for January. I need to sort through close to 500 negatives and decide which 20 to 25 images to bring to residency. Below is the beginning of this process.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Still Lifes

The first five images contain wooden organ toes, parts of a pipe organ. The knobs adjust valves to control the flow of air. The varying sizes and textures of these small vessels remind me of little people or souls now orphaned.

The following image is of my childhood scrapbook. On the left side was an iron-on Phladelphia Eagles football logo, on the right a collection of holy cards.

Next is from my first grade copybook. It seems to be mostly for penmanship and spelling with prayers of gratitude intermingled.