Thank you for taking the time to look at my blog! I shall start by telling you a little about my project... (A document version of this can also be found here)
I’m currently in my second year of Uni. studying Photographic Art at the University of Newport and am looking for contributors to my project which is based around the notions of marriage.
For better or worse?
Through this project I am trying to explore the reasons why people marry. Whether it is for true love; the natural progression of a relationship, the announcement of a child or even tax reasons. I’m interested in the reasons why couples choose to make such a commitment to each other, whether they see it as a serious commitment or just something that they should do.
My reasons for doing this project...
I myself am getting married next year and have been exploring the notions of marriage and why people marry.
I am getting married because I am completely in love with my Fiancé and could not see myself with anyone else and I want to solidify our relationship through the process of marriage. I want to make a lifelong promise and commitment to him, to establish our relationship as husband and wife and to show to our family and friends what we mean to each other.
But I am also aware that this isn’t the case for all people that get married, with this in mind I am interested in finding out from other people why they choose to take the next step in to marriage... Why not stay the same? Why complicate things? We all know how expensive weddings can be, so why spend the money?
What I am hoping to achieve...
I would like people to submit an image from their wedding day (preferably of just the couple), they may submit a couple if they wish. Ideally I would like the images to be around 1 to 3mb but I can resize larger images if needed. Alongside the image I would like the contributor to complete the questionnaire further on in this document and if possible a short paragraph about the image, how it makes them feel etc. I’m also looking for short video clips to include in the video so if you have these then I would love them. I’m looking for a variety of age groups but am particularly keen to get images of older couples and also their views on marriage if possible as I feel they will be quite different to the younger generation.
How the project will progress...
I plan to use the information I gain through my interviews and questionnaires along with the images and video clips submitted to make a video installation. I’m not at present sure how it will look as a final piece but this will develop throughout the project and be dependent on the type of imagery and information that I receive.
Here are some examples of the kind of text and imagery I am hoping to receive from this project to make up my video installation. (I hope they work. If not I shall repost them).
Another part to the project...
Alongside the video installation I am making one thousand origami cranes. I am making these as decoration for my own wedding and as a symbol of good luck and prosperity upon our marriage and our lives together.
This is a Japanese tradition which has become popular as a gift for couples getting married to wish them luck, prosperity and a happy life together and is something I feel I really relate to and wanted to create for our wedding day. It is also said that if you fold one thousand cranes that you will be granted one wish so this is why I have chosen to fold all one thousand myself which is turning out to be a massive task but I shall not give up! :o)). You can find out more information here and here. The video installation shall then be projected upon the cranes signifying marriage and the perseverance and commitment needed to maintain a happy marriage.
Questions...
Please note all information will be treated confidentially and shall remain anonymous unless otherwise agreed between the contributor and myself.
What were your reasons for marrying?
What if anything changed after you married?
How old were you when you married and at what stage in your life were you?
How long have you been married/were you married?
If you could sum up your marriage in one paragraph what would you say?
Do you think that given your time over again you would have chosen to marry? Or even have married the person you did?
How does your chosen image make you feel? What memories do you have from that image?
If you were to fold one thousand cranes and got one wish, what would you wish for?
Please send replies to lulabellerose@yahoo.co.uk. I shall also be updating a blog with my progress and submissions so if you would be interested in seeing how the project is progressing please go to http://lulabellerose.blogspot.com/. Please also feel free to pass this on to your friends and family. The more submissions I have the better!
I really appreciate any responses that I shall receive and am ever so grateful!
By submitting any moving or still imagery and any written or spoken responses you agree for them to be included within my project. If for whatever reason you decide you do not want to contribute then please let me know and I shall destroy any information I have relating to you.
Also if you would not want to be included in my blog please let me know when you submit your information.
Many thanks
Lucy
