And so it begins

The Scavenger Hunt (SH) is over. The Hunt was a week-long, top secret group assignment. There were six teams

of 10-15 students. Each team member was expected to shoot from a list of 15 topics, ranging from the concrete

to the conceptual. The list below are topics I made up to give you an idea of the "spirit" of the assignment.

Photograph:

1. Something that makes you feel alive

2. Someone or something that is fast

3.  Something that has legs

4. Congestion 

5. Rejection

Each team member shot individually and then we group editeded our images into a group submission.

Editing was as challenging as shooting. It was also liberating. Never have the perils of subjective interpretation been

so clear. During the editing process I pushed for an image of a used condom that referenced

leftovers. I was overwhelmingly defeated. Many of my teammates said the image was ugly. What appealed to me

was its metaphoric qualities,  and not the literal translation. The exercise pushed me to consider how and why and

when art speaks to us individually.

Meanwhile, today classes officially begin. My classes are as follows:

1. Photography, Art and the Media: The 19th Century (Mon)

2. Visual Thinking for Magazines (Mon)

3.  Technical Seminar in B&W (Tues)

4. General Studies (Tues)

5. Digital Technical Seminar (Thurs)

6. Intimacy and Distance (Weekends)

I also hope to be in the B&W lab as part of a Work Study program on Wednesdays.

This leaves Friday for shooting. And weekends.

I have also been busy moving. My first apartment turned out to be a short-term stay. I found a room (rooms

actually) closer to school, still on the subway line and in Washington Heights which is just North of Harlem. I am

sharing with 3 other students; two pharmacy and one fashion design. 

I love my new space. The only downside is it was unfurnished so I spent the last five days running around finding

furniture. I had my first cry in Ikea. It was that overhwhelming.