Annie Hogan

The panoramic images of the Jersey Shore speak to the complexity, diversity and humanistic face of the sheer numbers of humans sharing public space at the beach. At the height of the North American summer, there is little room to spread out on the beach. The beach is such a shared public space where people come to share in a good time and connect with family, friends and the environment. Part performance, public display, voyeuristic stronghold and play-space, the beach holds all the elements of cultural and gender diversity which makes up the great State of New Jersey. As an Australian, this is in sharp contrast to my own country's beaches where there is many fewer people and a plethora of long stretches of unpeopled beaches with sometimes nary a soul in sight.

In the Public Display series, Ice skating, the images explore how we consciously or unconsciously place ourselves in relation to another in public when at play. What interests me is the shape and stance of the body when there is risk and embarrassment involved. Or unfamiliar movement due to an arbitrary factor such as crashes, skids and scrapes. The practice of Ice skating speaks to skill, grace and beauty yet not without its tumbles, scrapes and the constant fear of falling which is evidenced in the stiffness or the unsure position of the body in space. The images were made with a Zone-plate camera.

The No Joke images in the Public Display series consist of multiple media; a mix of photography, performance and video. Panoramas, pinhole images, performance and video interviews are all shown. All were made during a trip to Gettysburg, PA for the 150th commemoration and re-enactment of many important American Civil War battles in and around Gettysburg, PA. It was hot and on those days in July 2013/1863. Observations of re-enacted Gettysburg battles such as The Battle of Bull Run, were played out on the land on which they were originally fought. The staging was enormous with 12,000 re-enactors, 800 horses and countless canons and people from all over the country gathered for a 4 day immersion performance. Most participants were avid 24/7 role-players and intensely committed to being authentic. I interviewed re-enactors about their experience of this and other events, and their lifestyle both in and out of role. I asked as to why they were re-enacting and how this event might be seen by African Americans today . The battles of Gettysburg were significant, as they changed the course of the Civil War. They were some of the bloodiest battles fought on U.S. soil with over 50,000 men losing their lives there.

(Mis)using a stereoscope camera to make diptychs and triptychs by chance often results in a clash of space and time. These works were made at a 'living history' event in North Carolina. American Civil War re-enactments and 'Living History' days are touted as a fun filled day out for all the family. The following text is taken from the re-enactment headquarters website; "Civil War Reenactment is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States, and with good reason. Not only does it reinforce our sense of pride in our heritage, but it's something in which the entire family can participate. It's educational and, finally, it's a great way to escape the worries of today and "pretend" in the great outdoors." Re-enacting battles of the civil war, dressing up in uniforms and living as one would if they were a 'living' part of that time are what these spectacles are about. As an outsider I wonder about this practice of 'pretend'. Is it harmless fun or gateway to a sense of community, safe escapism. Also living 24/7 history.

'Nacirema' investigates outsiderness through humor and the tongue in check look at variants on the english language. 'Nacirema' also explores the themes of outsider/insider, language, politics, re-appropriation and power. These works include three photographic series’ completed between 2007-2010 and one video (2003). I have used varied photo-based media to assist in creating an 'otherness' often felt when one is at once an outsider, yet also an insider in culture. The 2007 works are those in the fully appropriated Texan sayings. Pearls of wisdom match the sincerity of the portrait.