Welcome to my regular blog, that introduces my critical writings, theories, and philosophies on the nature of photography today.
Full articles available now on the writings page!
Tom Keighley and Susan Sontag.
“Surrealism lies at the heart of the photographic enterprise: in the very creation of a duplicate world, of a reality in the second degree, narrower but more dramatic than the one perceived by natural vision.” To my knowledge it was Susan Sontag who first pushed the idea that photography as a medium is absolutely surreal.…
Paul Valéry, “Pièces sur l’art”
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and in that said hindsight it has become clear that the ideas that engaged me most piercingly when reading “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” did not come from the author Walter Benjamin, but instead were quoted, from “Pièces sur l’art” by Paul Valéry. Called “Pieces…
Published Work: Between Us and Art
“We celebrate gallery spaces and the exhibits that are held within them, and rightly so. However, what is art worth if people don’t see it, connect with it, and enjoy it. In this set of images, the focus is not on the artwork or gallery spaces, not even on the individuals who view the work,…
Published Article! “Paradigm Shift Requires Extremes”
“In this unsightly scar in the earth, a new plant was embedded, one that grows speedily when encouraged absolutely, blossoming within days. I sit here now watching the diaphanous pink petals float through the air, bringing a crispness, and creating a sublime sunny moment, that would not have been achievable through gently trying to mould…
Ideas: Paradigm Shift
Paradigm shift requires extreme conditions. Without provocation by extreme circumstances, the existing model resists change, meaning that change to paradigms can take immeasurably longer. When first attempting to articulate this idea, I likened it to the ploughing of a field, allowing new seeds to be planted, an in turn rise. A period of destruction (be…
The 1960s Photographed by David Hurn
Good Afternoon, I have struggled to develop my writings and theories recently, as I am coming to the end of university. This, along with the extraordinary times we find ourselves in, mean that my time has been taken up entirely by photographic work. It is not quite polished enough to be revealed just yet, so…
Joan Miro: Anti-Painting
Between 1927 and 1937 Joan Miro worked to revitalise, as well as reshape the medium of painting. If I claimed to be a decibel, or lover or Miro’s work – or expressive art for that matter – I would be flattering or ingratiating under false pretences. However, as an intellectual I do admire the amount…
Aura and Religion: Full Article!
The full Aura and Religion article is now online! We will look at how the nature of aura has adapted in recent years, and where it manifests itself in todays society. During this remarkable time, I believe it is healthy to keep discussing artwork in it various mediums! Find the full article at https://jamie-edwards.work/writings/ and…
The Age of Technological Representation
I like to refer to the 21st century as “the age of technological representation” in the same way that Benjamin named the early 20th century “the age of mechanical reproduction”. Today we take photographs with the intention of sharing experiences. We make a conscious decision to represent ourselves, or objects in a certain way, depending…
Aura & Religion
As someone who investigates intensely, the places where old theories still manifest themselves today, I find myself transfixed by the aura that forms the basis of all religions. My understanding is that “aura” is the giving of significance to an object, by the society that it is held within. The Cross around Christian necks; the…
“The Seeker”
One of my biggest influences is music, as it is at the heart of many imperative social movements, moulding where we as a society end up. When listening to The Who a fascinating, yet quite irritating, reflection of myself was shown to me. I’ve looked under chairsI’ve looked under tablesI try to find the keyTo…
“Walter Benjamin On Photography” Book Critique by Jamie Edwards
[…] This short, heated article reveals a passionate young man who is eager to defend his beliefs. However, the fact that this article never made it to print intrigues me most. Whether Benjamin chose not to send it, or whether it was rejected, we do not know. More importantly, it taught Benjamin that he has…
“Work to Be Done” Critical Review by Jamie Edwards
Ola Hardiman, who is being depicted, is an incredibly intriguing Professor of Neurology, but that intrigue is not translated through the photograph. In exactly the same way as before, the photograph relies on added text, and an element staged by the photographer. What if I didn’t pick up the sheet of paper at the start…
Review: Work to Be Done
“A society expects us all to work and pay taxes. It is crucial for a society’s functioning that everybody contributes. Working is respected – though respect for professions and positions form various hierarchies.[…] There is no longer any need for the gender divide in an agricultural society if there ever was one. Hierarchies also crumble.”…
Analogue Photography Today
This week we will discuss the relevance of analogue photography in today’s society. I am not talking about digitally scanned negatives. I believe scanning negatives is a fad, used by photographers in an attempt to give their imagery more “significance”. If you want digital files, why not simply use a digital camera? The same visual…
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Jamie Edwards 