Do You Smell Something Burning? Digital Photography
Castle On A Cloud, Digital Photography
Drown My Sorrows, Digital Photography
It's Not All Bad, Right? Digital Photography
Artist Statement
Dreams are capable of telling you more about yourself than you will ever consciously realize. Many people may think that these imaginary worlds they float through are just temporary vacations from their everyday life, perhaps an escape. More likely they are metaphors for serious concerns and anxieties.
Sigmund Freud wrote in his book The Interpretation of Dreams that studying dreams was the easiest way to understand the unconscious activities of the mind. For example, if you experience yourself falling in a dream it could indicate that you are feeling insecure or lacking control in your personal life. If you find yourself drowning in water, it could suggest that you are overwhelmed by emotions or anxiety. On the other hand, dreaming of clouds can be linked to a sense of wonder and an overall calming sensation.
This photo series was influenced by a number of dreams that I have experienced, most of which I encountered during quarantine this past year. With the overwhelming amount of emotions and anxieties I was dealing with during that unprecedented time, I am now aware that these “quarantine dreams” were most likely manifestations of my emotions at the time. In this series, you will find photos linked to sensations such as anxiety, lack of control, confusion, and wonder. I did not intentionally plan to have an overall purple theme through this body of work. However, following a little research, studies conducted at Western Technical College in Wisconson have proven that purple is in fact a powerful color that can reduce emotional and mental stress. It also has the potential to help you fall asleep and sleep soundly. After learning this bit of information, it only seemed fitting that I take the purple color palette and run with it. Making use of my own work and dream experience, colorful lighting, a handful of willing models, and a few appropriated images, I believe this body of work will intrigue viewers and allow them to find meaning in both this series as well as with their own dreamscapes.
