Observations - Living in Labels and 365 Faces of the Year

I’m working on two projects which are very different: 365 Faces of the Year and Living in Labels. One is a portrait project that seeks to compare first impressions with assumptions from a stranger and the other is a portrait project that seeks to compare first impressions when seen with assumptions from strangers. Wait...

365 Faces of the Year is a noteworthy project not due to the quality of the photographs or the answers received, but rather for the sheer number of photographs and answers. The similarities and differences, the unexpected answers and unusual perspectives... they all contribute to some greater whole that is hard to define (given that I’m not done, I don’t think I can or should try to define it now). But everyday is a new day, and it’s hard to push the envelope when everyday is a new quest.

Meanwhile while working on Living in Labels instead of starting on a fresh page everyday I come into the studio with a goal and go from there. Weeks before a shoot I start collecting the labels, organizing them, and when I go into the studio my model is ready to face how other’s perceive them while taking a portrait. There’s a lot of preparation involved in the shoot and rather than being a snapshot portrait, the photos are legitimate portraits.

Both of these projects look at what is and what appears to be within an individual. One asks others how they judge and then presents the individual with those judgements. The other asks individuals questions and presents them for judgement. The central theme of identity seems to be something I can’t get away from, especially given that it wasn’t something I consciously thought I should shape my major projects around.

Something I’ve noticed especially with Living in Labels is the difference between what people assume people think, and what people do think (or at least what thoughts they present). Despite the fact that people are given the chance to provide anonymous feedback, the amount of negative feedback has been almost non-existent. Although I received a some negative labels when I tested the project on myself, less than a dozen out of 150 labels I received were slanted in a negative manner. In fact for the latest model I had labeled nearly 50% of those who submitted labels said she was beautiful. My models were pleasantly surprised to discover that rather than being given offensive slurs, they found ego boosting compliments to their positive actions.

While doing 365 Faces of the Year the thing I’ve been most continually surprised by is how easy it is to meet someone. In line for coffee, in bookstores, at shows, through friends, at parks, on planes... it really doesn’t matter. I’ve been turned down for interviews by people who were busy or just not in a particularly talkative mood, but despite the fact that I’m 281 days in, I would say the TOTAL times people have rejected my requests for interviews would be less than 100. And that’s including a few bad days were I’d get turned down by 4 people in a row. Almost every person I’ve asked to be in the project seems interested and I hope (though I can’t speak for them), they enjoy themselves as much as I do. It truly amazes me how easy it is to meet people, and how after meeting someone once the doorway to a friendship is opened. The vast majority of people I’ve interviewed were total strangers when I began, but now when looking down the list I see more friends than strangers. Furthermore, appearances don’t seem to matter, approach and attitude is everything. When I started this project I had long curly hair and was much more “socially acceptable”in appearance. However now I’m sporting a mohawk, and despite the fact that some perceptions of me have changed, I noticed no difference in how people have responded to my project. Even if people make an initial judgement, this in no way seems to affect their willingness to change their minds.

I guess if there’s a point to this reflection it is to share my current optimism. In my experience with these projects, strangers are willing to give their time and aren’t as judging as society says they are. And the barriers between us and the people we encounter tend not to be due to a lack of interest in new relationships and friendships or due to judgements and prejudice, but rather because we’re too lazy to initiate them.

Song of the Week
Breathe of Life by Erasure
or Butterfly by Jason Mraz