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| Image from the photographic series, ‘Senseless’ by Masters in Communication Design graduate, Laura Thompson, will feature on the GSA’s 2015 Graduate Degree Show publicity material. |
An image of a mirrored “yeti-like creature” by Communication Design graduate Laura Thomson has been selected for the GSA’s 2015 Graduate Degree Show publicity material. Laura, who was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, moved to Scotland in 2007 and has recently completed a Master’s degree in Communication Design (photography) at The Glasgow School of Art.
‘Senseless’ is a photographic project, which is based on anthropological and scientific theories associated with human dislocation from the natural environment and the subsequent dulling of our senses.
The sociologist Richard Sennett states that urban sprawl and technological advances in transportation are some of the many ways in which our ‘progress’ has made us more and more detached from nature and even other people, creating a passive culture that has led to the deprivation of our senses. Anthropologists such as Lévi-Strauss have also noted the opposite occurring in cultures that are still living and participating in a natural environment, particularly those cultures with roots in mythology and animism. Their belief of the connectedness of everything on earth has made them especially in tune with their senses, and as such have a much more heightened awareness of the world around them.
“I began to look into various mythologies from around the world and also the costumes associated with them and observed most involved the covering of the face and many times the entire body to transform the person into a mythical being,” says Laura. “At the same time I was looking at urban legends and hoaxes such as Bigfoot and people’s obsessive fascination of these elusive beasts.”
“What interested me most was that many seemed to be based on existing mythologies and the fact that many of these creatures, seemed to be trapped between two worlds. Bigfoot being the prime example is not quite human or animal so wanders on the fringe of both, not really belonging to either”.
“From this research, I began to create modern day mythological narratives in which I explore themes associated with the dislocation of our senses. The images are centred on five constructed ‘yeti-like’ creatures, which are made up of hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of individual items, such as, disposable manmade plastic forks, earplugs, vinyl gloves, car air fresheners or compact mirrors. With each creature representing one of the senses with the proposition that they have become consumed by these modern, materialistic items and as such can no longer sense anything at all. Neither human nor animal, they wander between worlds fitting in nowhere, yearning to be part of a world they no longer belong to, and in so doing have become creatures of myth.”
Laura Thomson’s work will be on show in the Reid Gallery, Reid Building at GSA Graduate Degree Show from Saturday 12 – Friday 18 September 2015.
Open Monday – Friday 10am – 9pm; Saturday/Sunday 10am – 5pm (last admission 30 mins before closing). Entry free.
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Further information:
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
Notes for Editors
Laura Thompson was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California and moved to Scotland in 2007 to attend St Andrews University. She graduated in 2011 with a degree in business and international relations, but realised she wanted to do something more creative, so in 2012 attended the London College of Communication where she received her diploma in photography. A year later, Laura began at The Glasgow School of Art and recently received her Masters in Communication Design. She currently lives in Glasgow.