The Untitled Project is a series of photographs
of urban settings accompanied by a graphical text layout. The photographs
have been digitally stripped of all traces of textual information. The text
pieces show the removed text in the approximate location and font as it was
found in the photograph. The Untitled Project is rooted in a base interest
in the nature of power. With the removal of all traces of text from the photographs,
the project explores the manifestation of power between large groups of people
in the form of public and semi-public language. The absence of the printed
word not only draws attention to the role text plays in the modern landscape
but also simultaneously emphasizes alternative forms of communication such
as symbols, colors, architecture and corporate branding. In doing this, it
serves to point out the growing number of ways in which public voices communicate
without using traditional forms of written language.
The reintroduction of the text takes written language out of the context of
its intended viewing environment. The composition of the layouts remain true
to the composition of their corresponding photographs in order to draw attention
to relative size, location and orientation. The isolation of the text from
its original graphic design and accompanying logos, photographs and icons
helps to further explore the nature of communication in the urban landscape
as a combination of visual and literal signifiers.
--matt siber www.siberart.com