Haley received her BFA in Ceramics and BA in Photography from the University of North Florida and her MFA in Art from the University of Arizona. She currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee where she is the Director of the MFA Program and the Head of Photography at Memphis College of Art. She is a national member of the A.I.R. Gallery was named a "FotoFest Stand Out" by Manfred Zollner, Editor of fotoMAGAZIN
Wait Watchers
For my series, Wait Watchers, I set up a camera in a heavy-traffic, public area. I consider my work a social experiment and I attempt to photograph the reactions of a diverse pool of passersby. I seek out places that are beautifully lit, allow for an interesting composition and, if possible, set up a scene that references ideal feminine beauty and societal expectations. I put the camera on a tripod or bench, in full view of the by-passing gazer, set the focus and exposure and take photographs of myself doing everyday tasks (eating ice cream, talking on the phone, etc.) using a self-timer and hope to capture a facial expression of a passing stranger.
The images capture the gazer in a microsecond moment where they, for unknowable reasons, have a look on their face that questions my presence. Whether they are questioning my position in front of the lens or questioning my body size, the gazer appears to be visually troubled that I am in front of them.
Interesting and disturbing.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most compelling, telling series of photographs about human nature and "what people think of us behind our back" that I have seen. What courage...brava!
ReplyDeleteYou aren't finding out what people think of you. You're finding out what people think of others doing odd things in front of the camera (filming yourself eating or talking on the phone in the street is odd).
ReplyDeleteIf you caught me on film, I'd be pulling a face because I disliked the situation (expecting an embarrassing prank or an unwanted interview) - but you would write me down *wrongly* as somebody who was reacting to your weight!
The unknowing participants in this project may also be reacting to the camera set up and wonder why a person is taking a picture of herself. Try this experiment with a skinny girl too. It may not make any difference about the weight of a person. As this project is made public, some people that find themselves in the imagery may not want to give permission for use. The artist may be facing some lawsuits.
ReplyDeleteIs it remotely possible that perhaps people are looking simply because the artist is setting up self portraits in busy areas? The viewer is being manipulated to think everyone is looking at her because of the weight. The actual situation itself is unusual and will cause people to look.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting that Kristine, Don and I had some of the same thoughts but none of us had seen the others' posts because the posts are moderated and have to be approved first. After looking at your "wait watchers" photos, I visited your website and looked at some of your other images. Your skating rink, alone at the dining table,and where you are alone in the swing are stronger images in my opinion.
ReplyDeletehow can you know what others think? just by the look on their face when you are holding a map? capture an image and add caption to say whatever you wanna say?
ReplyDeleteno body should be looking at others passing by? as a photographer, i think you are framing ppl of being discriminators.
of course, people never want to admit responsibility and accept the fact that (despite evidence in media, medicine and socio-cultural norms) fat people shouldnt be doing things where they can be seen. its always about finding an excuse, shifting blame and changing the subject. try being a fat person in public, try spending your days navigating disdainful looks from strangers and whispers and murmurs from passerby. then see how quick you are to assume that this artist is being scrutinized for her style and not her weight.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the subjects were all photographed in public places, meaning no permission is necessary.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as a photographer myself who has set up cameras in public areas for other projects, you might be surprised at how many people don't notice it at all.
Not to mention, this is a social experiment through art. It's great you all have opinions, because that is what it is designed to do - make you think.
The artist has said, in her artist statement that the exact thoughts of the passersby are unknowable. Even I as a 5'5" 130 pound woman feel judged by media and society sometimes, we all do. People saying things along the lines of "how dare she assume people are thinking negatively of her" and also focusing on her weight are perfect examples of how instead of seeing the message the artist is sending or seeing this as an artistic series born out of how the artist herself feels, we would rather point fingers and and make things about ourselves, when we should be questioning why these images make us feel the need to be self-defensive. Regardless of if you agree with the message you read or not, it is clear that Haley Morris-Cafiero has created something that is starting conversations and asking questions!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many uncontrollable variables in this set of photos as one of them is the choice the author made in selecting the ones we see on the blog out of the many that were taken. I see this more as a mirror for us the blog readers as we go through the reactions we encounter as we view them. Why these photos and not others that may show people around her with much different expressions? It then becomes manipulative in regards to the point she is driving at with her experiment. But then that's just my 2 cents ...
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