Altered States-The use of collodion as part of an Interdisciplinary approach

Chamberlain, Ian

Abstract

My chapter for the publication will discuss my use of the wet plate collodion process and its developing role within my creative practice.

I will give my personal viewpoint into how working in collaboration with experts in their field has given me greater insight into how the wet plate collodion process can work alongside and enhance my existing practice.

I have approached the use of the process not as an expert but as someone who wants to embrace the qualities of the process, with others in collaboration and incorporate them within my own practice.

I usually use photography and film as part of my visual research but I now started to incorporate them further by using wet plate Collodion photography to manipulate and abstract my imagery. Embracing the accidents or the glitch in embedding them within the work. I will show a range examples of how a more playful approach through layering, , mark-making and sculptural outcomes have created a new avenue for enquiry.

The new works have become standalone pieces and also source material to draw, re-photograph and take into the etching process. They combine figurative and abstract qualities working across a range of processes under a unifying theme of boundaries, borders and shelters.

The theme of boundaries is not just conceptual but also the boundaries of process and the potential of the interlinking processes of photography, drawing and printmaking.
This crossover and the dialogue between processes will in turn increase the potential for new original ideas and concepts to be explored, introducing the work to a wider and varied audience.
Further influence takes historical reference from early frontier photography in the 1850’s to contemporary photographers dealing with related themes. A range of these influences will be shown in relation my own practice and a contemporary context.

Citation

Chamberlain, I. (2021). Altered States-The use of collodion as part of an Interdisciplinary approach. In Dont press print -De constructing the collodion process (52-59). UK: The Royal Photographic Society

• Acceptance Date: Oct 2, 2020
• Publication Date: May 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jun 16, 2021
• Pages: 52-59
• Book Title: Dont press print -De constructing the collodion process
• ISBN: 09780904495225
• Keywords: Wet plate collidon, photography, drawing, printmaking
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7473326