Kickstarter

I am a photographer and installation artist living in Atlanta, Georgia. My goal is to fund the next installation/photograph in a series I’ve been working on for almost 7 years. Each image in this series requires the total transformation of an empty room or space into its own conceptual reality. This scene will feature a large revolving tornado within what appears to be a furnished room inside a house. The result will be both a limited edition photograph as well as an event, an installation with a live model, open to the public for one night only during Atlanta Celebrates Photography, a month-long photography festival now in its 13th year. I have received a generous $3000 grant from Possible Futures (www.possiblefuturesatl.org), but I estimate the total expenses to likely cost twice as much.

What will the funds go towards?:

Due to the amount of detail in each scene, I have begun capturing them with a vintage 8x10 camera. Film, development, and scanning alone can easily cost $700. Props, tools, background set materials, building materials, model fees, equipment rental, and event supplies take a hefty toll as well. And, for once, I would love to be able to pay my helpers for their time.

What you can expect to see in The Tornado:

As you can probably tell from my other images (which you can view at www.dorothyoconnor.com), I am in love with the natural world. Nature and wild things are always part of my images in some way. I am picturing green as the color palette for this image - but - of course I reserve the right to change that if something strikes me. It is also important to me that the tornado have its own force and movement which I think will enhance the live event.

Rewards:

Below is "Asleep", the image mentioned in the Backer rewards. This first image in the series was built with the help of my good friend, and extremely talented stylist, Caroline Dieter http://www.carolinedieter.com, before my studio had a roof.

What kind of object should I send to be featured in the tornado?

Something relatively small (maybe a foot in diameter or smaller) that has meaning to you. Of course, I love pretty, antique things with a natural sort of theme - but whatever means something to you - will mean something to me too.

When should I send the object?

Please make sure the object (with return postage please) arrives on my doorstep no later than the third week in August.

Statement about the series:

This project began with the desire to build an image around fire, which led to creating a series on the elements. Curiously though, the project began to take on a life of its own. Each image became less about the series and more about telling a story. The desire to build certain components into each set became a compulsion for me, as did the need to make the image in my mind a reality. It was only after completing the first few photographs that I began to realize I was symbolically investigating my own life. Each picture was part of a conceptual autobiography which, when viewed, became much like interpreting my own dreams. I was pictorially capturing my memoirs, acknowledging unrealized emotions and motivations, and examining my own nostalgia. Also, I think that creating these spaces allows me to literally live in my own imagination, if only for a short time, and satisfies my need to create a more aesthetically pleasing reality. Recently, I began opening my scenes as installations featuring a live model. This allows an audience to experience them as I do, but also to add their own interpretations and ideas, thus making the story a shared experience.

A very sincere thank you to Kickstarter and you for your support!