Comments on: andrea gjestvang – body histories

By: Spotlight « Academy A

Spotlight « Academy A — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:10:41 +0000

[...] photographer. Gjestvang is proving this point with her gutsy work and fresh approach, I think her photo essay at Burn Magazine entitled “Body Histories” is absolutely genius and so full of fascinating subtext that any society can relate to no matter [...]

By: AndreaC

AndreaC — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:36:39 +0000

Good work but not new or challenging. I agree with Herve on all points. It needs more edginess to push it to the next rung.

I haven’t yet figured out how to see the burn competition portfolios yet.

By: cathy scholl

cathy scholl — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:48:03 +0000

Love this Andrea. Great concept and great photos. congratulations.
I agree with some of the others…maybe a few weak shots but as you continue to shoot they will be replaced with stronger ones. Can’t wait to see the next edit.

By: wendy

wendy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:32:37 +0000

Bodies,
that tell our stories…
lovely set of images..
the 1st shot with little girl in tub,
barbie on floor…
set the mood…
we all have our stories….
your sensitivity
comes thru in each frame…
non judgmental,
captured….
strong BODY
of work…..
xox

By: Jeff Hladun

Jeff Hladun — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:54:25 +0000

Andrea, this is a very enlightening essay – thanks for doing it, and for submitting it here.
My initial reaction was puzzlement because your written introduction seems very impassioned, while the imagery suggests emotional detachment on your part. I put it down to being in the photo-journalistic documentary style, in this case without a bias.
I then realized that with the exception of #11, and possibly #16, your subjects also seem to be emotionally detached – even though you have obviously engaged them.
I’m left wondering if you and your subjects have this body-image obsession due to being detached from us, or if the detachment is a result of self-image physical obsession?
It’s not a question I expect an answer to, but this terrific essay is one of those happy instances where the photographer is revealed to us almost as much as those being photographed.
As to your technique and workmanship, I think it is first-class.

Regards,
Jeff

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:35:17 +0000

Upsi, just forgot to mention that if any of you know places, persons, happenings etc that would be interesting for this project, you are more than welcome to send an email..!

xxx Andrea

By: Gordon Lafleur

Gordon Lafleur — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:34:01 +0000

Wonderful work, great project. I hope we will see more.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:13:58 +0000

All, thank you so much for nice words and interesting feedback! Since this project develops from week to week, and is not finish yet, I really appriciate your advice and opinions.
This week I am on vacation in a summerhouse in the middle of nowhere(norway), no internet connection. But I have read through the comments on my phone! It’s a bit difficult to respond to single comments.
But: the edit I made for epf was different simply because some of these photos are new, actually from last week!
It is the first time I show the photos in public, all together as the one essay I intend it to be. I have been really concerned how to link all these totally different persons, scenes, places etc together. And, as some of you mention, the style of the pictures differ alot. The photos from the early stage of the project, like no 08, is different from the new ones, ex the ones from the Ubahn (no 21). A lot has happend between those two shots, I have developed a lot as a photographer, technically and the style etc. Somehow I don’t like these old pictures, but on the other hand I think the mixture make the whole thing more interesting. Thats also my opinion on the combination portraits vs reportage.

Carrie, thanks for interesting response, I have thought about this also… I think I need some youngsters, both boys and girls.

patricia, think I have never told you that I really appriciated meeting you at David’s, I am a fan of your project and your comment here on burn:)

All, to read your comments inspires me and some will surely be taken notice of. I am so so happy David will support me to reach the final goal, he actually made me realize that I, Andrea, can make a book!! Wow! Not only the super photographers in magnum etc. So I look forward to edit with you David, and share the result with you burnians at some point..

Now, going out fishing in the fjord!

cheers and thank you! Andrea

By: Steve M

Steve M — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:03:24 +0000

Andrea, I really enjoyed your work! An enticing mix of voyeurism, shock, intimidation and confusion. I too think that a couple of images might be misplaced but recognise that the work is evolving and maybe other categories of interest might emerge.

Excellent; thanks very much.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:06:36 +0000

I think this work is almost voyeuristic, it holds the attention, and cautions our curiosity. Lovely coverage of the technical aspects of what I think you set out to achieve. It will be nice to see some more of this work. Well done.

Roll on a Wendy comment ;)

By: Brian Frank

Brian Frank — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:44:24 +0000

This is really fantastic work. You were able to take a series of what seemed to be unrelated images, and make them work as a complete story. I simply love how everyone is comfortable with their appearance, or at least, what they have made their appearance.

By: Patricia Lay-Dorsey

Patricia Lay-Dorsey — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:53:11 +0000

Fascinating series of photos! Made me wonderfully curious as to what was coming next. Must say that the juxtaposition of 14 and 15 tickled my fancy. A few shots are not as strong as others but I’m sure they will be replaced as this essay evolves, especially now that you’re working on it consciously.

For me a personal favorite was #3. Her expression is so poignant. Elders are a great source of body pics. I know from having done a series of naked women (my friends and myself) aged 54-75. Unique bodies with lots of stories in each scar, sag and stretch mark.

Great to see your work here on Burn, Andrea. I enjoyed meeting you at DAH’s loft the slideshow weekend last autumn. Hope we meet again.

Patricia

By: OZ

OZ — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:45:45 +0000

Really good vibes! Some major photography inside this exellent document!

By: eva

eva — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:20:37 +0000

I kinda feel like Mike R about the disjointed feel (sheesh, what a bad use of language), will be interesting to see the final product. Very interesting theme and photographs.

By: Carrie Roseman

Carrie Roseman — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:53:34 +0000

Andrea, I love that you were able to tie together the personal work with the hired work. It’s not an easy task to achieve, and you’ve definitely succeeded. It will be interesting to see where it goes now that you’re completely cognizant of this end which you seek. I love that the story speaks on so many different people feeling so differently… We definitely are strange creatures…. I think it would be interesting to explore young children’s body image (you did show a glimpse of this) and how it turns from innocent to something socialized and aware and screaming at us every turn. You’ve obviously already began to achieve this, but I think it would be interesting to capture the moment of that loss of innocence: the moment when our bodies just ARE to when we know what they can do, mean, and how others perceive that in us. Sounds heavy and lofty, but possibly something worth exploring. I really like this body of work, and I would love to see it published. Bravo!

By: Gustav Liliequist

Gustav Liliequist — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:02:14 +0000

Terrific work! You have sucessfully sewn together very strong shots from a number of different situations/assignments under a common theme.

By: frank Michael

frank Michael — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:17:39 +0000

Andrea,

I really enjoyed you essay. Some fantastic images and all superbly photographed. Having access also helps as you have been invited into some of these scenarios. I really like those on the U-Bahn. Congratulations on being published on Burn, and best of luck for the future.

Frank

By: pomara

pomara — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:08:58 +0000

Andrea this is so very interesting, but I wish it was something that non-photographer folks would want to view. It’s so high-minded that I wonder who else wants to view this other than us.

Call me crazy… but what is Andrea trying to communicate? Variety is the spice of life and she has proven that. The context is so rich

Thank you David for putting this out here. It’s a great piece for the visually sensitive crowd.

By: abele

abele — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:09:13 +0000

Original photographic investigation, well developed through a variety of situations. I personally would remove the shot of the two models on the catwalk: it’s not up to the general standard of the essay.

By: Ross Nolly

Ross Nolly — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:02:24 +0000

Congratulations for the work and for tackling this subject, I can see it means a lot to you.. Thank you