Academic Pedestals
“The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.”
Academic teachings enjoy a powerful influence on the students, and the university as an institution also has a (holly, commanding) perception in society. Reflecting on that power, universities shape future generations and substantially influence the leaders of tomorrow in any field.
With unlimited power comes great responsibility, and this visual representation questions that power, taken from the perspective of a graduating photography student. It is valuable to have the mental space to critically analyze the information fed through the classroom and think for oneself. Mentors are humans too, and they do have biases and agendas that are sometimes malicious. Keeping an open mind and the courage to dismiss faulty information are essential not to be shaped, moulded or lured into a particular future path.
The project is completed with the great help of a fellow photographer: Ms. Danielle Edwards.
Below are some of the initial images used to compose the final photograph above. Photographed at AuArts photo studios.
