Author

Yuanyuan Liu

Abstract

As an artist, there are several themes I find of interest within the medium of photography including the relationship between the lens and the eye, aspects related to imagination and truth, as well as history and tendency. I believe that photography is the best medium for my current body of work because it inherently allows one to reflect on the conflict between reality and construction/fabrication. This is the main theme conveyed in this work. The title, 无法抗拒-Untranslatable, describes the problematic aspect of expressing oneself in a different (foreign) language and the feeling of inadequacy experienced therein. Any individual who is not versed in Chinese cannot have a sense of 无法抗拒. The use of both words in the title represents the fact that we cannot properly translate another language. Additionally, it symbolizes the feeling I wish to express being untranslatable. Thus I use a different format and distinctive perspective to explain the “feeling” in this body of work.

This collection of work includes various elements such as, still photography, stop motion, drawing and sound. Ultimately it is exhibited in three formats: photographic series, videos and a book. The work expresses my pessimistic and helpless feelings towards power dynamics from these three perspectives, including the human’s inner struggle, the external influence of society and cultural mutual manipulation among people.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Photography, Artistic; Visual art; Photobooks; Artists' books--New York (State)--Rochester

Publication Date

5-20-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Imaging Arts (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences (CIAS)

Advisor

Christine Shank

Advisor/Committee Member

Willie Osterman

YLiuSupplement.mov (165672 kB)

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

FNAS-MFA

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