Worn
Worn explores the traits and characteristics of being born on Wednesday. There are many traits that are associated with Wednesday births, the most common related to the saying, “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” However, this characterization is antiquated and in today’s world, Wednesdays are known for having emotional intelligence, critical thinking skills, strong social skills, and the drive to learn new things. These positive aspects are mirrored by their negative counterparts. Such as having the tendency to let work or current projects outweigh spending time with friends and loved ones. The passion for what Wednesday’s love to do can create tension with and disconnect them from the world around them. Also, because Wednesdays are more in tune with their and others' emotions, it is much more difficult for them to share hardships or worries that are consuming their lives. Not wanting to add burden to someone else or holding onto the belief that they can fix the problem themselves, leads to internalization and overthinking of issues.
Each hat in this series was chosen specifically to fit with the surrounding objects. The straw hat filled with sunflowers showcases the emotional depth and positive, creative and empathetic qualities of people born on Wednesday. The many books presented connect the love for learning to many other aspects of a Wednesday. Emotions, relationships, creativity, and logic are all approached with curiosity and an in-depth investigation. Knowing how and why things work removes the fear of not knowing how to handle a situation.
The aged look to the photos connects to personal experience growing up. Having been told since I was young, that I acted older than my age, that I was mature, is something I am proud of. Over time, I realized that it also made me someone that others sought out when they needed advice or when something was wrong. My mother, also born on a Wednesday, has had these same experiences.
The vignette around the edges of the photos creates a division between the viewer and the objects contained within the photographs. Being everyone’s “go to” person has its drawbacks. Being associated with levelheadedness and maturity did not get me invited to the friend's table when I was younger. Therefore, it has always been easier for me to connect with and talk to individuals older than me. Even my closest friends, with the exception of one, are all at least three or four years older than me.
The positioning and lighting in the images create uniformity to give details, such as book titles, space to be noticed. Having consistency in lighting also creates a scientific or organized quality in the approach to the creation of these images. The viewer has the chance to delve deeper into their connection with these images because all the information is placed before them.
Highlighting details within the object using lighting is a reference to professional photographer Jess Lee. Lee captures larger than life moments in the American West, but he also dedicates time to sharing the small, beautiful moments held within the pauses. Lighting creates atmosphere for his subjects and gives his still life images a space to hold. Details such as textures, highlights, and shadows tell the story of the objects but also give the viewer space to live with the objects and uncover their stories. In a similar way, Worn gives the viewer a clear look at the woman who wears these hats by showcasing what is important to her and how she understands the world around her.