Re: plyboy@teleport.com (Jim Spiri)
s carl king (sanking@hubcap.clemson.edu)
Sun, 5 Nov 1995 22:05:45 -0500 (EST)
First, thanks to David (DKenn473@aol.com) for his instructions re: Susan Gross.
More to my point, Jack FultonUs request for slides to illustrate alternative processes and the subsequent Rbroo-ha-haS (as it were) does raise some important questions about the importance of the original (the Robject,S, as Spiri writes).
It seems entirely appropriate that the issues of interest to Spiri have a place in this discussion, for it brings into question the purpose and meaning of the entire photographic experience. The conceptual underpinning of the use of most alternative printing processes is early Pictorialism, which placed more emphasis on process than verisimilar representation, and far greater importance on the photograph as an original object for exhibition rather than for reproduction (in books, magazines, voir RslideS). This is because the final, tangible form of the image was of paramount concern, for all all elements of the object are important at this point: color, texture, tonal scale, and the reflective qualities of the printing material.
I make monochrome and three-color carbon and carbro prints in large part because of the fascinating three-dimensional surface quality of these images. I have no objection to making slides of these images, just fail to see what useful purpose would be served.
Sandy King