How did I first hear about Jennifer Greenburg? I don’t remember. But I’m so glad I did, because this photographer-teacher-super-woman always has a new, creative endeavor — one that richly explores the Retro — up her sleeve. Jennifer is assistant professor of photography and printmaking, Indiana University Northwest. Two years ago, we looked at her book, The Rockabillies, here and then, we interviewed her here. Now, she has a new series of works — Revising History — in which she takes old photo negatives collected over many years and puts herself into the image, replacing another person. Seen as a series… it’s Jennifer in a whole earlier life, another time, other places. But, it’s all so… seamless… you would never know these photos are… fantasies. But… maybe they always were?
Read on for my interview with Jennifer… and to see more of this fascinating series — all 16 photographs.
Pam: Your artistic Statement is so intriguing:
Statement
Revising History is a series of manufactured images that I have created by replacing the individuals in vintage found-negatives with images of myself. I commandeer source material from someone else’s life thus taking over their memories to call my own. There is something inherently false in a family snapshot. Every childhood appears, in images, as idyllic. Every family is depicted as loving and close knit. And often, when we look back at our own images, we co-opt the fantasy that the photograph has created for us. We replace our original memories with something photography has sold to us. It is with this in mind that I have created a body of counterfeit images that depict fictitious memories.
… Can you elaborate on how you even got to thinking about this whole subject, and how it led to the creation of this series of photographs?
Jennifer: I am a professor of photography and visual language. I have been researching and thinking about imagery for my entire adult life. I make imagery, I teach others how to make imagery, I look at imagery, I breathe imagery; It is a 24-hour, 365 day a year endeavor for me and has been for as long as I can remember. And I am especially fascinated by looking at images depicting the lives of people I will never know. I imagine the life the individual depicted in the image might live or have lived. I am seduced by the fantasy that the depiction creates for me. So that is how it all started, perhaps.
Pam: Your Statement sounds kind of ‘critical’ of the falseness of family photos. But… we love midcentury design and filling our houses with it, and I know you do, too! So, to what degree would you say we fans (short for ‘fanatics’) of midcentury culture and design are also experiencing something “inherently false”… a “co-opted fantasy”… recreating “counterfeit images that depict fictitious memories.” Not that I’m saying that’s a “bad” thing, but I’m always interested in probing the deeper reasons why certain people, myself included, are so fascinated in these old styles.
Jennifer: Would we really want to live in another time when life was actually much harder — especially for those of us who are women, minorities or both women and minorities? Most definitely no! My thought is that we are seduced by the fantasy presented by Hollywood movies, television and professional commercial photographs from the era. We wistfully interpret the past and leave out facts and the harsh realities. And I believe strongly that there is nothing wrong with fantasy. I can’t be transcended by a trip to a modern furniture store like Ethan Allen. There is nothing magical happening in there to hold my interest. I think many people feel the same way. And I am also going to feel depressed about our current disposable culture that provides us with nothing that has any quality or staying power. Mid Century Modern furniture demands respect. It’s quality!
Pam: Where did you find these photos? Did you have them already, or did you collect them for this project? Why did you choose the ones you chose?
Jennifer: I have been collecting found negatives for years. I look for ones that have a narrative I would like to address. I also look for successful compositions. That is the hardest part since most were not made by professionals. When I find one that is to my standards, I look at it very carefully. If a story emerges in my head, then I use it. But the narrative has to be there for me to craft an image.
Jennifer: I put myself in through the magic of technology. It is my body, my arms, my everything. That is all me. And yes, my husband is in the photos — his name is Casey Stockdon. That’s part of the project- that the photos are now about my life- so my husband has to be in there. I wouldn’t want another husband. : O )
Pam: Which two or three are you favorites, and why?
Jennifer: I really hate hierarchies! I reserve the right to not pick favorites in all instances because I sure do like changing my mind a lot! Hahah! But if I had to pick favorites, I would say the images where something that is just not part of my real experiences is taking place, like “Finishing School Graduation, 2011″ and “Me, modeling the latest fashions for Russek’s Department Store, 2012.”
Pam: Going through all these photos, I see a chronology — young woman at play, then married, then with children? Is it planned that way?
Jennifer: Not chronological necessarily. Just a fantasy life filled with normal things that are no longer normal. Who has the time for these things anymore? Who can afford them?
Pam: What’s next for the photos?
Jennifer: I will be having a solo show of Revising History at The Print Center Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania January 11-March 16th, 2013. The opening will be on January 17, 2013. I will also have a solo exhibition in the Pingyao International Photographic Festival in Shanxi, China September 19-23rd, 2012.
- See Revising History in even larger format on JenniferGreenburg.com.
- My first story on Jennifer’s book, The Rockabillies. More fantastic photos, of course!
- Followup interview with Jennifer on The Rockabilly Design Aesthetic. More photos — along with the best hypothesis yet on why we all love the retro so (we are “highly visual”).
Chris says
This article got me thinking… have any of you seen the magazine “Reminisce?” It is a periodical that’s pretty much nothing but photos and slides sent in by readers. Many of the readers are elderly, so the photos and stories are really fascinating — really touching — really funny — and really REAL!
I love looking through it to see interiors and clothing. My husband enjoys all the old vehicles.
I bought their hardback Christmas book last year and just love it.
If you haven’t seen it, I have a feeling that all-a-y’all retro type folks would really enjoy it! 🙂
hannah says
Great lead, Chris! And, no. I’ve never heard of this magazine. I’m going to look for it (if I can remember to do so). Wait…off to Google now!
Found it:
http://www.reminisce.com/
Will definitely check this out. Thanks!
nina462 says
Our family has suscribed to Reminisce for many years now- we just love it.
I also found that my local library has a lot of old pictures on file (actually on a file anyone can look at online). They are fab & tell the story of my surburban life.
Denise says
Thanks so much, Pam, for sharing Jennifer’s work with us via your blog.
KDA says
Wow, these photos are intriguing. Looking at them gave me sense of homesickness–as if I’m missing something or someone but don’t know what or whom.
pam kueber says
yowza. that’s it. “as if I’m missing something or someone but don’t know what or whom.” especially since i “know” Jennifer is an “intruder”.
hannah says
It’s ‘every-man’ and ‘every-woman’ from our past being presented through these photographs. Anyone you knew ‘back then’. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, parents…siblings. It’s all there. Moments in our lives.
When my family moved from Redondo Beach, CA to Gardena, CA (a mere 15 minute drive away) in 1969, the ONLY thing that didn’t make it off the moving van was our box of family photos – holding memories from the 1920s-30s, to the 1950s and late 60s. Gone. *poof* My mother and I never got over it – baby books of mine and my brothers. Just gone. Thank goodness, some of us had shoe boxes with enough to help fill the void. But it’s something I really try not to think about.
Natalie says
So very cool! It’s almost like having a time travel machine. Now if there was only a way to bring back vintage clothing from those photos.
Suzanne says
Amazing photographs. Excellent work, Jennifer. I wish you much success.
Barbara says
She’s very talented! I’d love to be able to do that. I’ll be buying the book!
Sherry says
These are great! I find myself wishing I could see the original photo before the inclusion. Just to see, by contrast, what you did exactly. It actually is tricky to know what has been added and what is original in the picture. Is it only yourself you added, or other things and furnishings?
Do you have “before and afters” at all?
Lee In Florida says
Wow, these are so cool! In the couch nap pic, it took a minute to notice the gun on the table, lol.
Morgen says
I love these pictures, especially since in the picture “Napping with Floyd” there is a gun on the coffee table. I love old pictures and have a weakness when I see them for sale. It’s not the fantasy of a better time, but a curiosity of who those people were, what they did, and where they are now. What made that event special that a picture was taken? What does the rest of their world look like. I’m the type of person who loves looking in peoples windows when I drive down the street at night. I just have a huge curiosity for the way people live and have lived. Thank you for sharing!
Verla Bruner says
Love it, what a fascinating journey through time,please continue to dream in Black and white!