Untitled
Series: Opening Lines
©Brittain Bright
They
say a picture can speak a 1000 words – so a photograph trying to introduce the
thoughts & ideas one has when reading an entire novel would seem like a
very tall order indeed. However, this is exactly what Brittain Bright set out to do from the viewpoint of the reader in her series Opening Lines. Using the first lines of various novels, both
real & fictitious she drew upon her extensive knowledge of the texts &
genres she chose to create this fascinating series. As a Harvard University graduate of English & American literature (BA Hons), holding an MA in Fine Art Media at The Slade School of Fine Art & about to complete her PHD at Goldsmiths University in English Literature, she was well placed within the literary & artistic world to take on such a challenge.
Each
image contains the same protagonist, a woman (the reader) & also
occasionally other characters whose character whose sex may or may not always
correspond to the original text. The viewer becomes the reader, whose
omniversal presence we see throughout. She places herself into the narrative as
she reads rendering the text immaterial. “This is a form of extreme
personalisation to consume the text by entering into it’” says Bright. In doing
so Bright allows the viewer to open up to a similar experience – posing a more
interactive experience.
Untitled
Series: Opening Lines
©Brittain Bright
Choosing
to photograph on medium format black & white film the photographs are
instantly imbued with a sense of period, something past, something written,
thus placing the pictures in the past tense whilst present. Without the
distraction of colour the authenticity of each ‘opening line’ is reinforced.
Don’t
be mistaken that Bright’s series bears any relation to Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Stills series. This common
misconception is easy to reach at a glance. Sherman’s work typifies film genres
– appropriating styles, generalising styles – to raise memories of film through
self-portraiture. Bright does not appear in Opening
Lines other than as the architect & director of her photographs.
Sherman’s role is that of an imaginary blonde actress styled to embody post war
American clichés in cinema such as murderess, sex kitten, housewife or ice-cold
sophisticate amongst others (there are 69 in total) without a hint of irony. As
Andy Warhol said, “She’s good enough to be a real actress.”
In
Brittain Bright’s series the educated eye sees beyond the staging & into
the connection with the work it relates to. However, when this work is
exhibited the ‘opening line’ is not prominently displayed – in fact the reverse
is true. The books, which coincide with the work are also displayed – in order
to suggest not only the literary implications of the photograph but also to
impart the viewer – inviting them to read & experience the work first hand.
This results in a more visceral incentive to become part of the work.
Untitled
Series: Opening Lines
©Brittain Bright
By placing
her audience into a more responsive mind-set Bright leaves us room to breathe
& enter into more imaginative realms. You are no longer a passive onlooker
but a protagonist of the work itself. Being given such freedom – or should I
say options (you can opt out & not take part at all if you wish) – the
narrative can be bent & twisted to expand much further beyond Bright’s (the
author’s) vision.
Opening Lines are open-ended questions,
the beginning of something, filled with possibilities, starting a sentence that
you feel duty bound to finish – or asking a question in which you need to seek
the answer.
Each
photograph is inspired by the imagination, skill & authorship of a work
that although now rested in the canon of literary history can now re-animate in
the minds of a new audience – literally growing in depth meaning before our
eyes…
Witty,
serious, dramatic & detailed, each picture dangles a thread waiting to be
pulled.
Opening Lines by Brittain Bright will
be on display at L A Noble Gallery as part
of Capturing The Narrative: A visual exploration of fact & fiction
Exhibition dates: 12 June - 5 July 2014
Venue: L A Noble Gallery, Maybe A Vole, 51 King Henry's Walk, London N1 4NH
Transport: Dalston Kingsland Overground
For
further details see the website here.
Narrative
Values – Artists Talks & performance programme – Wed Evenings at L A Noble
Gallery
18
June 2014 - 18.30 – 20.00
Brittain
Bright will discuss the use of narrative as a constant theme within her
practice, followed by a Q&A.
After
the talk in response to Bright’s Opening
Lines series in collaboration with Goldsmiths Writers Centre : Corrine Barber, Charlotte Heather & Elly Parsons will be performing 5 minute spoken word pieces especially for
the exhibition.
Places
are extremely limited. To book a place, please email hello@lauraannnoble.com with ‘Narrative Values – talk reservation’ in
the subject line. Spaces will be reserved till 6pm.
Tickets
on the door will be subject to availability on the night. Any latecomers will
not be able to enter the building after 6.30pm until the mid-point break &
will still be charged the full ticket price.
£5
per-person. (Please include your telephone number for conformation.)
The
gallery will be open as usual from 11.00 – it looks to be a fascinating &
intimate evening – we look forward to welcoming you.
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