White Spirit
SUBJECT IS PRESENTED WITH THREE SHOT GLASSES; ONE CONTAINING VODKA, ONE GIN AND ONE WATER.
SUBJECT IS NOT MADE AWARE IN WHICH ORDER THE CONTENTS ARE PRESENTED.
SUBJECT IS PHOTOGRAPHED AFTER SELECTING AND DRINKING THE CONTENTS OF THE SELECTED SHOT.
The aim of this project is an examination of the study of micro-expressions within portraiture from conception to consumption. In the first instance, even within the context of an event at a gallery by creating a novelty to engage with there will be a moment when all of a participants attention will be focused on the task at hand.
Shot One
The look in their eyes before they leap.
Just before the participant decides his or her brain will have to do something that brains really like to do, make a choice without the full information available with a mostly inconsequential outcome as opposed to having to make a choice of absolute consequence, take any decision you are required to make on behalf of a loved one who is unable to or the commitment to marriage, or the following of following of a religion itself. Faith is the definition of not knowing something and deciding to believe it anyway. Gambling addicts have this algorithm of the mind truly cross wired.
It is one of the reasons the ‘Grenfell’ fire is so disturbing on a personal level where when you have that natural thought of what you would have done and you know that for all your skills, your talents, all the things that make you who you are, none of it would matter, your options would have been the same as the residents.
Equally, the funeral of ‘Martyn Hett’ shows why ideological terrorism fails in this day and age. One man killed himself and a handful of other people to promote the ‘Islamic State’ and the result was a concert of world famous performers and a deeply fabulous funeral.
The point is you still have to make a decision to determine what you will be next.
Shot Two
The King or the Fool
Who of you will participate first?
The leader? The follow me chest beater? I will drink anything better than everyone, follow me.
I will make it safe.
Or the jester? Even I, a simple fool will go first, I will taste the poison, if it goes bad, you have only lost the fool.
I will make it safe.
Or you might just be someone who will do anything for a free shot.
For every Gorilla that squares up to another Gorilla for the top job there are hundred Bonobo’s having a mass orgy because each feel that is how their time is better spent.
The second shot is after receiving this new information, as the photographer I have a limited window to catch that look in your eye as you process the new information. You will have made the decision about how you feel about this new liquid before it reaches the back of your throat.
Shot Three
The Souvenir
Your chance to tell your story about what just happened.
All of this happens in three seconds.
It’s a fast moving world, you need a fast moving test to experiment with organic algorithms.