The Snapshot Sessions: re-framing the self

The Snapshot Sessions: re-framing the self
In association with Body Positive Wellington

Thistle Hall Gallery 16-22 February, 2015
Curated by Steve McVey

The Snapshot Sessions are a series of photography workshops devised and run by Steve McVey in which participants reflect on aspects of their concept of self. The resulting work from the most recent workshop series has been edited and put together for this exhibition.

Photographs have the power to shape memories of situations and circumstances, which can alter our self-concept (positively or negatively) and alter future trajectories of self-concept and self-presentation.

By reinterpreting old photographs without the limitations of anchored perspectives and taking time to slow down and really look and engage with our current environments in new ways, behavioural aspects of self-preservation, self-presentation and self-concept are revealed. This can be problematic when determining the ‘true’ self as a fixed entity rather than an ongoing and evolving one, informed, influenced and transformed by all we encounter and experience. As such aspects of self-identity can gradually be steered in positive ways and incorporated into individual habitus.

While complete in themselves “The Snapshot Sessions” are part of ongoing research by Steve which attempts to blend social and psychic systems into the world of meaning and material through the practice of photography.

The aim is to envisage how systemic processes facilitate cultural wide expectations on individual and communal behaviour that allow increases in complexity while keeping stability.

In this series from October to December 2014, ten supporters of the HIV charity Body Positive in Wellington were taught technical aspects of photography and introduced to renowned NZ and International photographers. The weekly technical and conceptual assignments led to the production of over 50 images each using 35mm film. Three images per photographer have been selected for this exhibition.

All works on show are available for purchase. All proceeds will go towards fundraising for Body Positive charity, which helps break down isolation and builds a sense of community for people living with HIV in New Zealand.

ENDS

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