“Light Trails Over the David,” from Touring Tourism, 16” x 20” C-print, 2022
Megan Bainbridge
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“Light Trails Over the David,” is a 16" x 20" color darkroom photograph from my "Touring Tourism" series. This photo series explores my experience as a German American studying abroad throughout Europe during Summer 2022. I created it to encourage others to alter how they approach traveling. Read on to learn more about the "Touring Tourism" series and this photographic art piece.
In my "Touring Tourism" series, I explore my role as a tourist traveling from the United States to study abroad throughout Europe. I chose to photograph both recognizable attractions and lesser-known locations.
In my artist statements, I provide context to explain my thought process and experience traveling in and around Barcelona, Spain; Rome, Italy; and Prague, Czechia. I explore observed cultural differences and the habits of tourists.
The purpose of this body of work is to invite the viewer to reflect on how they travel and act as a tourist. In particular, I aim to promote the concept of ethical tourism and encourage travelers to be mindful of how their actions impact the residents of the regions that they visit. Through anecdotal narrative, I reflect on how much more enriching travel becomes when authentic connection is prioritized.
I am passionate about this topic for multiple reasons. On the academic side of things, I studied Sociology in college, obtaining a Bachelors in the subject alongside my Photography BFA. Personally, I have a dual-national lens when looking at how people from different places act. This is because I grew up navigating the difference between German cultural attitudes that my mother taught me and the societal norms of my home in the United States. In addition, I grew up in a coastal city in Southern Maine that is impacted by tourism every summer and can relate to how residents of a travel destination view tourism.
I use experimental darkroom techniques for this series, creating dual exposures by layering negatives, as well as collaging multiple 35mm negatives into the circular silhouette of the darkroom enlarger head.
With all this being said, here is the artist statement for “Light Trails Over the David":
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On a weekend trip to Florence with my classmates, we took a trip to the Accademia Gallery, an art museum home to Michelangelo’s David (pictured). As an artist studying sociology, I have an interest in how people interact with art, such as this couple sharing a moment gazing at the David statue.
I have found that in many ways, people interact with art as tourists do with locations of interest. They photograph the work, or themselves with the work. It makes me wonder, how important is the work or location itself to the viewer in comparison to the importance of snapping a photograph with it? With the increasing interest on image and the self in today’s society, I wouldn’t be surprised if it leans toward the latter.
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If you felt particularly moved, inspired, or educated by this piece, consider supporting the work that I do by purchasing a print, t-shirt, sticker or magnet from the megarten.shop. My business is small, queer and woman-owned, and artist-run. Plus, all of my artwork is human-generated. You can learn more about me as an artist here.