|
| Image from the photographic series, ‘Senseless’ by Masters in Communication Design graduate, Laura Thompson, will feature on the GSA’s 2015 Graduate Degree Show publicity material. |
An image of a mirrored “yeti-like creature” by Communication Design graduate
Laura Thomson has been selected for the GSA’s 2015 Graduate Degree Show
publicity material. Laura, who was
born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, moved to Scotland in 2007 and has
recently completed a Master’s degree in
Communication Design (photography) at The Glasgow School of Art.
Laura Thomson has been selected for the GSA’s 2015 Graduate Degree Show
publicity material. Laura, who was
born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, moved to Scotland in 2007 and has
recently completed a Master’s degree in
Communication Design (photography) at The Glasgow School of Art.
‘Senseless’ is a photographic project, which is based on anthropological
and scientific theories associated with human dislocation from the natural
environment and the subsequent dulling of our senses.
and scientific theories associated with human dislocation from the natural
environment and the subsequent dulling of our senses.
The sociologist Richard Sennett states that urban
sprawl and technological advances in transportation are some of the many ways in
which our ‘progress’ has made us more and more detached from nature and even
other people, creating a passive culture that has led to the deprivation of our
senses. Anthropologists such as Lévi-Strauss have also noted the opposite
occurring in cultures that are still living and participating in a natural environment,
particularly those cultures with roots in mythology and animism. Their belief
of the connectedness of everything on earth has made them especially in tune
with their senses, and as such have a much more heightened awareness of the
world around them.
sprawl and technological advances in transportation are some of the many ways in
which our ‘progress’ has made us more and more detached from nature and even
other people, creating a passive culture that has led to the deprivation of our
senses. Anthropologists such as Lévi-Strauss have also noted the opposite
occurring in cultures that are still living and participating in a natural environment,
particularly those cultures with roots in mythology and animism. Their belief
of the connectedness of everything on earth has made them especially in tune
with their senses, and as such have a much more heightened awareness of the
world around them.
“I began to look into various mythologies from around
the world and also the costumes associated with them and observed most involved
the covering of the face and many times the entire body to transform the person
into a mythical being,” says Laura. “At
the same time I was looking at urban legends and hoaxes such as Bigfoot and
people’s obsessive fascination of these elusive beasts.”
the world and also the costumes associated with them and observed most involved
the covering of the face and many times the entire body to transform the person
into a mythical being,” says Laura. “At
the same time I was looking at urban legends and hoaxes such as Bigfoot and
people’s obsessive fascination of these elusive beasts.”
“What interested me most was that many seemed to be
based on existing mythologies and the fact that many of these creatures, seemed
to be trapped between two worlds. Bigfoot being the prime example is not quite
human or animal so wanders on the fringe of both, not really belonging to
either”.
based on existing mythologies and the fact that many of these creatures, seemed
to be trapped between two worlds. Bigfoot being the prime example is not quite
human or animal so wanders on the fringe of both, not really belonging to
either”.
“From this research, I began to create modern day
mythological narratives in which I explore themes associated with the
dislocation of our senses. The images are centred on five constructed
‘yeti-like’ creatures, which are made up of hundreds, or in some cases
thousands, of individual items, such as, disposable manmade plastic forks,
earplugs, vinyl gloves, car air fresheners or compact mirrors. With each
creature representing one of the senses with the proposition that they have become
consumed by these modern, materialistic items and as such can no longer sense
anything at all. Neither human nor animal, they wander between worlds fitting
in nowhere, yearning to be part of a world they no longer belong to, and in so
doing have become creatures of myth.”
mythological narratives in which I explore themes associated with the
dislocation of our senses. The images are centred on five constructed
‘yeti-like’ creatures, which are made up of hundreds, or in some cases
thousands, of individual items, such as, disposable manmade plastic forks,
earplugs, vinyl gloves, car air fresheners or compact mirrors. With each
creature representing one of the senses with the proposition that they have become
consumed by these modern, materialistic items and as such can no longer sense
anything at all. Neither human nor animal, they wander between worlds fitting
in nowhere, yearning to be part of a world they no longer belong to, and in so
doing have become creatures of myth.”
Laura Thomson’s work will
be on show in the Reid Gallery, Reid Building at GSA Graduate Degree Show from
Saturday 12 – Friday 18 September 2015.
be on show in the Reid Gallery, Reid Building at GSA Graduate Degree Show from
Saturday 12 – Friday 18 September 2015.
Open Monday – Friday 10am – 9pm;
Saturday/Sunday 10am – 5pm (last admission 30 mins before closing). Entry free.
Saturday/Sunday 10am – 5pm (last admission 30 mins before closing). Entry free.
Ends
Further information:
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
Notes for Editors
Laura
Thompson was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California and moved to Scotland
in 2007 to attend St Andrews University. She graduated in 2011 with a degree in
business and international relations, but realised she wanted to do something
more creative, so in 2012 attended the London College of Communication where
she received her diploma in photography. A year later, Laura began at The Glasgow
School of Art and recently received her Masters in Communication Design. She
currently lives in Glasgow.
Thompson was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California and moved to Scotland
in 2007 to attend St Andrews University. She graduated in 2011 with a degree in
business and international relations, but realised she wanted to do something
more creative, so in 2012 attended the London College of Communication where
she received her diploma in photography. A year later, Laura began at The Glasgow
School of Art and recently received her Masters in Communication Design. She
currently lives in Glasgow.