Zankapfel
08-20-2011, 05:48 AM
An artist-inventor and backyard poet, Caleb Charland (www.calebcharland.com) somehow teases the marvelous from the mundane.
His work shows us that disciplined experimentation can lead to magical results, not just empirical evidence. There is a strong performative aspect to his photographs, whether he is using himself or choreographing objects and events, demonstrating lessons in physics and mathematics with his work.
Inspired by children's books of science experiments, he photographs everyday objects like matches, pens and mirrors, in ways we've never imagined, often using multiple exposures to tell the story.
For example, in Fifteen Hours [below] Charland used 15 exposures to show how the flame of a dinner candle beautifully burns down.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163282.jpg
In others, like in Cube with Rule and Penlight, Charland sits in pitch black darkness and, with a penlight in his hand, traces the shape of a cube along a ruler. Though at first glance, you think you're just looking at a box, you soon notice that the mysterious shadows are Charland's hands. Charland made 13 exposures on one sheet of 4×5 film; twelve exposures for each side of the cube, and one exposure with the light on to fill in the shapes of the room and the table.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163284.jpg
Silhouette with Matches was a simple process of multiple exposure, shot with a view camera on 4x5 film. One exposure was taken during the day for the background, then one at night while lighting and tossing the matches. This process left the outline of his body without the use of Photoshop. In the large print, you can actually see a few hair follicles silhouetted on the left side of his head.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163283.jpg
The beauty of it all is that there's an honesty to Charland's work. By transforming everyday household objects into unexpected experiences, he makes us appreciate multiple disciplines; art, science and photography. In addition, his work evokes that sense of curiosity that often lays dormant in us as adults. While looking at his photos, you can't help but marvel at the scientific laws that govern us and, at the same time, feel as though Charland's somehow cheated them.
"I guess you could do it in Photoshop a lot quicker and easier but I enjoy the analog process" says Charland, "there is something to working within limits".
More of his interesting images below.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163286.jpg
Arcs with Arms and Candles
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163285.jpg
Light Sphere with Right Arm and Cigarette Lighter
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163339.jpg
Atomic Model
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163336.jpg
Bouncing Penlight
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163337.jpg
One Second Match Toss
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163289.jpg
Candle in a Vortex of Water
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163292.jpg
Study for Sun With Mirrors
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163290.jpg
Helix with Matchsticks
His work shows us that disciplined experimentation can lead to magical results, not just empirical evidence. There is a strong performative aspect to his photographs, whether he is using himself or choreographing objects and events, demonstrating lessons in physics and mathematics with his work.
Inspired by children's books of science experiments, he photographs everyday objects like matches, pens and mirrors, in ways we've never imagined, often using multiple exposures to tell the story.
For example, in Fifteen Hours [below] Charland used 15 exposures to show how the flame of a dinner candle beautifully burns down.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163282.jpg
In others, like in Cube with Rule and Penlight, Charland sits in pitch black darkness and, with a penlight in his hand, traces the shape of a cube along a ruler. Though at first glance, you think you're just looking at a box, you soon notice that the mysterious shadows are Charland's hands. Charland made 13 exposures on one sheet of 4×5 film; twelve exposures for each side of the cube, and one exposure with the light on to fill in the shapes of the room and the table.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163284.jpg
Silhouette with Matches was a simple process of multiple exposure, shot with a view camera on 4x5 film. One exposure was taken during the day for the background, then one at night while lighting and tossing the matches. This process left the outline of his body without the use of Photoshop. In the large print, you can actually see a few hair follicles silhouetted on the left side of his head.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163283.jpg
The beauty of it all is that there's an honesty to Charland's work. By transforming everyday household objects into unexpected experiences, he makes us appreciate multiple disciplines; art, science and photography. In addition, his work evokes that sense of curiosity that often lays dormant in us as adults. While looking at his photos, you can't help but marvel at the scientific laws that govern us and, at the same time, feel as though Charland's somehow cheated them.
"I guess you could do it in Photoshop a lot quicker and easier but I enjoy the analog process" says Charland, "there is something to working within limits".
More of his interesting images below.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163286.jpg
Arcs with Arms and Candles
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163285.jpg
Light Sphere with Right Arm and Cigarette Lighter
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163339.jpg
Atomic Model
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163336.jpg
Bouncing Penlight
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163337.jpg
One Second Match Toss
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163289.jpg
Candle in a Vortex of Water
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163292.jpg
Study for Sun With Mirrors
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL764/13393443/23871431/398163290.jpg
Helix with Matchsticks