Period of Transition

I am beginning a new photo project and am hoping that you may be able to help me find participants. Here's the description, and feel free to copy and paste to forward to others.


Period of Transition

My employment for the last 8.5 years as a full time contractual photographer in a Museum will end in June. The Museum has decided that contractual work will not be renewed in consideration of the Museum's finances.

I began to picture all of the things I had accumulated at work in my desk drawers, my locker, my bulletin board, and what I would do with those things after I brought them home. Some of the objects would not belong. I thought of other people who will be leaving their jobs in light of the recent global economic situation. Perhaps because of early retirement plans now offered, lay-offs, or situations similar to mine. I began to imagine the things they may have accumulated at their workplace that served a purpose and what those things would look like in their homes. Some of the unemployed have had their jobs for over 30 years and see the workplace as a second home; others may have viewed their workplace just as the office. At home, they will now have boxes of paperwork piled in a corner, a crate of tchotchkes that once lined an office divider, or a bag of dress shoes or extra clothes emptied out of the locker. Some of these things will be able to find a place in the person's new life, some may be donated, and others may be trashed or just left in a corner untouched. These still-lifes will be symbols of transition, a measure of emotional impact in this transient time. I will photograph these personal items in available natural light soon after unemployment in the person's home. The objects will be still-lifes, juxtaposed in the new environment of the person's home space.

If you or anyone you know is interested in participating, please contact me- rona@ronachang.com