Landscapes of Humanity Photography Installation. Photography. Karin Culliton (2009)
Each of the eight triptychs in this series features a close up photo of a scar, photographed in black and white in order to help the audience view the scar as almost topographical versus flesh. Each scar was then bookended by a hand-written account of how the subject got their scar, and a portrait of the subject in a setting similar to where they got their scar.
This work explores the way our bodies can tell a story that maps our history. The scars we obtain throughout our lives literally pinpoint where we have been, what we have done and who we are now as a result – they are the physical embodiment of a specific moment in time. I began thinking about this project after going through a harrowing near-death experience ten years ago, which left me with several scars. I now use those scars as touchstones, to remind myself from whence I came and just how truly strong I am. I sincerely believe that through pain and hardship we learn our most valuable lessons about ourselves.
My own experience got me thinking – how often do you meet a new partner or lover, and one of the first intimate discussions you have is when you touch each others’ scars and discuss their stories? Scars that can remain hidden from the rest of the world are exposed in your intimate moments – your partner reaches out to feel your scar, inevitably asking, “How did you get this?” Then a story is shared and you grow closer because this person now knows more about you. They now share a private story with you – about how you survived cancer, or when you used to harm yourself on purpose, or how you almost died in a car accident – and about how scared you were in that moment. They journey back through your history with you, via your scars.
I am interested in mapping these stories that make us human, the stories that have left an indelible mark on our very beings – both physical and mental. Much like music and smell, a scar can bring us back instantly to the very moment we received it. Our scars show our humanity – the weakness of our human flesh for being able to be scarred, but also our strength in overcoming the physical and emotional challenges that life has to offer.
This installation garnered a 4th year photography award, voted on by faculty.
