Evidence of Abandonment can be seen in structures, objects and even people’s attitudes and emotions. These moments of abandonment can be seen in isolation or in a combination. In these photos, I seek to emphasize a sense of despair, hopelessness and a feeling of being entrapped. The metaphorical portals found within each image suggests a possible means of escape. As the portfolio progressed I sought more metaphorical rather than literal ways of conveying abandonment.
The concentration shows people in a state of abandonment, physically and mentally. People who feel lost and abandoned will look for a means of escape; within all shots there is a portal that can lead someone out of this limbo as seen in #1,2,3,4. Abandonment can also be perceived as an empty room with stories that have been left behind, or as in #6 there can be signs of past lives that sought escape but may not have succeeded, with evidence of the word “help” written on the window. In #8 the window frame forms a border around the plants, creating contrast emphasized by textural values of the burnt wood, dangling cloth, and dirt isolating the fresh new life of the plants making it seem like they’ve been left behind with no hope of a future. #9 was composed with the intent to let people feeling down and entrapped ascend the “Stairway to heaven.” This can be interpreted as a first person point of view looking up into their physical or spiritual means of escape. #10 shows the abandonment of a spiritual belief, emphasized by the paper floating away from the portal leaving its host. #11,12 show the refusal to accept abandonment as seen in the final act of escaping mentally, spiritually, and physically. This ends the battle with the perception of abandonment, finally travelling through the portal.
