ENTHUSIASM
Etymologically, the word “enthusiasm” is derived from Ancient Greek and refers to a state of heightened inspiration in which one is transported beyond oneself. This state was understood to be the source of artistic creation and is further explored in Plato’s dialogue Ion where Socrates suggests that the act of writing poetry is not the result of human intelligence or a skill, but instead happens in a state of divine possession in which artists channel the work of the gods through them.
Enthusiasm (2010-11) is a series of portraits of creative individuals (artists, architects, designers) taken at the beginning and end of an artist residency in which they were entirely devoted to their artistic practice.I explored visually how artists are transformed both by their creative experiences and exposure to a stimulating environment, and I aimed to register in their physiognomy the residue of the process.
