A cupcake-eating bulldog and a father's surgical scars are only two of the topics on display at the Photographic Resource Center's 2008 Student Exhibition. Eighteen schools and institutions are participating in this show at the Photographic Resource Center at Boston University.
Upon entering the small gallery, one can't help but be impressed by the sheer number of images on the wall: There are over 100 works displayed. Students from Newbury College to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts present a variety of subjects using many photographic techniques. Most art exhibits incorporate a common theme or artist, yet this show does neither. However, the incredible mixture of images and subjects is refreshing. Some photographs capture one's attention immediately, while others are more cliché and amateurish.
One thought-provoking photograph raises the issue of gender identity. In "Identification," by Jennifer L. Rheaume of Simmons College, a young person, seemingly male, holds an ID card next to his face. The picture in the ID is clearly of a woman. This is an incredibly perceptive photograph that concisely plays with the idea of gender identity. How can you identify yourself? The ID card mocks the idea that it is supposed to "identify you." This image tells us identity is much too complicated, personal and meaningful to summarize in a tiny plastic card. This gelatin silver print has a wide range of blacks, whites and grays, perhaps paralleling the idea of an endless variety of gender possibilities.
The black and white photograph "Krakow, Poland" is an interesting portrayal of the effects of globalization on nationality. A small child stands in a busy Polish street, covering his face with a McDonald's french fry container. In the background, a banner is stretched between the buildings on either side of the road, reading "Faces of America" in both English and Polish. The photographer did an excellent job of capturing this unique moment in everyday life. The eloquently composed image plays with the connotation of nationality, prompting the viewer to wonder what it means to be Polish or American. The presence of McDonald's also presents the issue of cultural fusion and interconnection.
Several of the students have a sense of humor in their work, as not all art has to have a particular social message. For example, "You Should See the Other Guy," by Brad Bucksky of the Hallmark Institute of Photography, is the portrait of a nerdy looking man. He sheepishly grins at the viewer, glasses askew and broken, hair rustled. The image itself is of high color quality and detail, yet the subject is very simple. Only small visual hints, plus the title, are required to make the viewer think about the likely humorous story behind this photo.
Other pieces are simply aesthetically pleasing and visually intriguing photographs, such as an untitled color archival inkjet print by Lauren Bockow of the Art Institute of Boston. This grotesquely beautiful image displays a mangled octopus stretched out across a window frame. A statue of what appears to be a child stands on the other side of the glass, and colorful bits of flotsam and jetsam are scattered through other parts of the photo. The highly saturated, haphazard yet carefully composed scene is reminiscent of Jeff Wall's work. The scene questions reality as it is comprised of tangible objects placed in an improbable setting.
Other beautifully composed and printed photographs include "The 'I'" and "Erin + Libby." The former is an extraordinarily creative shot which showcases the dynamism of contrast that black and white photography has to offer. The latter is a crisp black and white that shows two girls in a seemingly awkward naked state. Yet the photographer captures their comfort and confidence as they are laughing and enjoying themselves. This in turn allows the viewer to become comfortable with, and relate to, this odd situation.
Overall, the exhibition is a lovely display of the variety of subjects students are interested in today. The refreshing, thought-provoking photographs are certainly worth a trip to Boston University.
