Material
Touch is felt more than seen; we feel the glance of cloth’s fall, the weight of a hand, the press of our face against a glass window. Though its qualities are not always visible, to touch is always to be touched in return.
Photographing through a semi-transparent membrane called Duraflex® manufactured by Bayer MaterialScience LLC, the images record the experience of standing behind the film, where one can hear but cannot see. The resulting shallow depth of field, a consequence of the membrane’s visual qualities, focuses each point where the body makes contact with the material and extends an interest in visual forms of tactile experience.
Image: Christina S Murrey
Photographic Process
Participants included anyone who had ever provided or received care—everyone. They were photographed by the artist at twelve partner locations over the course of three weeklong residencies. Four of the twelve photo shoots occurred on the university campus while the rest took place at the following partner locations: The Contemporary Austin, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Huston–Tillotson University, North Central Health Center, The Senate Chamber at the Texas State Capitol, Southeast Health and Wellness Center, and Westminster Retirement Community. In the resulting images, touch—something we feel more than we see—is visible.
Image: Lawrence Peart
Image: Lawrence Peart
Image: Lawrence Peart
