Project 547
Project 547
- A photographic exhibition about suicide in Aotearoa
The year 2011/2012 547 people throughout New Zealand chose suicide. 547 people would have believed that there was no other option than to take their lives. That is an average of over 10 people a week.
Through this project, I want to encourage people to seek assistance and help, but also to open up, discuss and reflect.
Project 547 seeks not only to bring awareness; I want to encourage people to seek assistance and help. I want the viewer who may be contemplating suicide to realise that they are not the only ones with these thoughts and feelings and that suicide is not the answer to their problems. Start a conversation, encourage them to talk.
Lifeline
Find Help
If you are worried about yourself or anyone else, Lifeline is a helpline that is open 24/7. They are also open for people who have been affected by the death or injury of someone by suicide.
0508 TAUTOKO
Year 2011/2012
Photo Story
New Zealand has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. This year 547 people throughout New Zealand chose to take the drastic step and end their own lives.
An empty chair is a worldwide symbol of the loss of a life. Now there are 547 empty chairs throughout our country.
I have created profiles of nine of the suicide scenarios based on statistics between 2011 and 2012. Each photograph in this series shows a room and tells the story of each individual suicide.
They al have an empty chair.
Marketing Photos
An Empty Chair
The first famous use of an empty chair as a symbol is Luke Fildes painting entitled “The Empty Chair” showing Charles Dickens empty chair after his death in 1870.
Modern Day Example
A modern day example in current New Zealand society is the 185 white painted chairs that form the memorial to the earthquake victims in Christchurch.
Background
Visual
The first seed of this project was sown during a lecture and university where we discussed elements relation to each other within a photograph.
Depending on the placement of props -in relation to the main subject- you can make the viewer feel different feelings. By simply increasing or decreasing the distance between the object and the subject you can create a positive or a negative feel to the viewer.
I found this knowledge very inspiring! and it lay the ground for Project 547.
Background
Research
Based on the statistics I created 9 different profiles that all included; Gender, Age, Nationality, Method and Employment Status.
From Drawings to Photography
The Visual Process
I created 9 stories that represented my 9 profiles.
First Drawings
Brain Storming
The first visual step was to based on my vague ideas, create drawings that would tell the story of my profiles.
Developed Ideas
Visualisation
I then anticipates the available light on the location. By figuring out how to add light sources and props I tell the story I was looking to convey.
The hunt for the perfect location
Location Scouting
The next step was locations scouting, locations scouting and some more location scouting.
After a number of test shoots I found my 9 most successful places, that would represent the statistics the most efficient.
Prop hunting and
The Shooting
I spent a lot of time tracking down the props and accessories that was necessary to convey my message on each location.
Project 547
Each photograph has a letter attached to it. Written by the person the profile is portraying.
To keep gender unknown I have only published the first letter of their names.
Poison
By H
Art Department Consulter: Alexx Reach
Special Thanks: Sopi Jensen
Lost
By S
What does one do when all that they love is lost? What can one do when there is nothing more? Time has come to a halt. Life has come to a halt. What more is left? Nothingness. Loneliness. Emptiness. Sadness. Complete darkness. Why go on? Why live on? This is the end. This is my end.
Art Department Consulter: Alexx Reach
Special Thanks: Allan Fisher
Shot
By
Special Effects: Celeste Strewe
Special Thanks: Parisa Shademan and housemates
Innocent
By E
Black and blue. Inside and out. My 8 year old heart is bruised, tired of this shameful life. Lost, broken and confused,
darkness all around. but no sleep tonight. voices down the hall. soon turn to a fight.
shadows whisper softly. go, find peace, be free. teddy tries to hols me back. so i hurt him lil they hurt me
stars on ceiling. call me to their home. end it all and join them. no longer angry and alone.
i've done it now - no tears through. just happiness and laughter. to live the life I deserve. my new happily ever after.
Special Thanks: Marco Hidalgo
Falling
By T
It's all too much. I feel so heavy. So very tired. This is it. Will I finally be free? No more fears? No more worries? No more horrors? No more screaming, shouting, crying. No one to answer to. Yes. It will al be over soon. A clear sky today. My ears are roaring, singing, buzzing into my heart. Hovering. Steeping out. Letting go. I've done it! Nothing to do. Just be. Still. Weightless? Light as a feather? An eagle soaring through the sky. I started so high up. It seemed. It felt. But now the ground is closing in. Grey, dark cold. It will all be over. So soon. Quick, easy. Not painless. But worth it. Next life. Another lifetime, another life. Will it be easier? Or is this it?
Special Thanks: Couldrey Historical House
Pills
By
Special Thanks: Parisa Shademan and housemates
Abandoned
By Y
I am a fk loser, a failure. I can't feed my children, my wife (doesn't say anything but the look in her eye, she) is so ashamed being married to a loser dick like me and is embarrassed every time she goes to town. Everyone knows I fkd her life up and took her down.
She should have married (my brother) Tom. I hate my life and they will be better off finding someone else to be there dad and lover. I am just a waste of space and deserve to be dead.
Special Thanks: Peter Harrison
Pacifica
By
Art Department Consulter: Alexx Reach
Special Thanks: Allan Fisher
Christmas
By K
Lost, confused and filled with tears... Trying to fake dreaded Christmas cheer What's it for, who am I kidding!
Lonely, sad and fat and hated? Annoying poetry in my head - what use are you? God I feel so tired, helpless and ...really alone, always alone.
Can't trust men, girlfriends all married or busy with partners. Who can I call, who to reach out to? Men - what a disaster! Friends - married with kids, nobody has time for me. And why should they? I am just a miserable wretch! Plus an ugly and fat one! Parents - the word itself makes me want to cry!
Too much sorrow to remember, too many sad Christmases, shouts and abuse... I guess, they get what they deserve - drowning in alcohol...
Here it is - here is my life: empty, sad to the brim, nothing to look forward to, nothing and nobody to live for, easier to end it all, I am tired, tired and lonely - all fake garlands and lights and empty inside...
Special
Thank You!
I wanted to give special thanks to Peter Harrison for our never ending brainstorming.
for giving me a hand whenever I needed it throughout my project and your constant support! It wouldn’t have turned out the same without you guys!
A huge thank you to Marco Hidalgo for his support and many a wise advice.
A special thanks to Kamilla Harrasova and Henric Matthiesen for their constant feedback.
Abbie Ahmed for an extra hand when I needed it.
Thanks to Alexx Resch for showing me some great locations.
Conceptual coloberation: Peter Harrison, Marco Hidalgo.
Exhibiton Preparation
Painting Chairs
All pictures where to be displayed on a white chair that had been carefully selected to march the profile of that image.
Exhibition
Opening Night!
At Humm Salon.
Each frame was individually picked to match the profile of the image it was framing.
To add an extra layer of the set up, a white rope was tied between all the chairs where the person had committed suicide by hanging.
Project 547 was a success and have been exhibited on multiple locations such as;
- Bruce Mason Centre
- Wana Festival
- Auckland Camera Centre
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