IDENTITY Nan Goldin. Self-portrait on the train, Boston - New Haven 1997 WHAT MAKES YOU, YOU?

IDENTITY There are two main types of identity these are: 1.INDIVIUAL IDENTITY 2.CULTURAL IDENITY

Individual identity : Identity in psychological terms relates to awareness of self, self-image, self- reflection, Self-expression and self- esteem. Charles Taylor* argues that the modern identity is characterized by an emphasis on its inner voice and capacity for authenticity — that is, the ability to find a way of being that is somehow true to oneself. Identity can be seen as the construction of ’self’, in which people give direction, meaning, value and purpose to their life. Through identity people relate to the world, to other people and to themselves. Identity is mediated through language, artifacts, social institutions and culture. * Charles Taylor is a philosopher, who has made significant contributions to political philosophy, philosophy of social science, and the history of philosophy Nataliya & Misha, Trapeze Artists from the series Circus by Anderson & Low (detail), 2006

BRAINSTORM: What makes up personal identity? creations choices values Beliefs appearance ethnicity Practices and habits Work and hobbies Friends, family and history Interests Objects and possessions

Tracey Moffatt Self Portrait, 1999 Hand-coloured photograph 33.5 × 22cm Question: does a persons identity change or is it remain a constant?

Gulpilil

Conversely Moffatt’s portrait is highly contrived, with Gulpilil acting out a role in the image itself. This is characteristic of Moffatt’s style and deliberately constructed images and as the artist herself observed, ‘I am not concerned with capturing reality, I’m concerned with creating it myself.’ 2 Clothed in brightly coloured board shorts and holding a stubbie in one hand, Gulpilil is portrayed in the guise of the stereotypical Australian surfer, traditional patterns painted on his face in the place of sunscreen. In doing so Moffatt forces the viewer to confront their notion of Aboriginal identity and as Gael Newton noted in 1995 in an essay on the artist, ‘ His [Gulpilil’s] relaxed pose ironically overturns our history in which sun bronzed Aussie surfers have displaced the original inhabitants from our shores.’ 3 Thus on one level it may be seen as a portrait of Gulpilil, however as an image constructed outside reality, it may also be viewed as a work that simply reflects the photographer’s own ideals. 2 3

Performing identity Identity can be in flux, it is performing constructed versions of itself in different situations. This includes your online identities, how many of you have my space pages or face book, are your identities on these real or have you constructed them? there is a certain contextual fluidity to identity. - we are different people around different people. That isn't to say we are all being false, rather that identity is an intensely complex construct and we don't have it all on display all the time. Certain situations and people bring out certain aspects of who we are and that version of you is simply one facet through which people perceive the whole. FLUX: constant change or instability

Cindy Sherman adapts her “look” and her identity to differing situations. She transforms herself into characters, then inserts herself into social situations into which the character would normally suit. Then she photographs herself. She does not stereotype groups she studies them and fits herself into them as an individual, she befriends them, and becomes an entity within them. Cindy Sherman

Performing identity Identity is in flux, it is performing constructed versions of itself in different situations. Cindy Sherman. Untitled (Woman in Sun Dress), 2003 colour photograph. Cindy Sherman shrewdly examines and challenges the “image” of the female and her identity and the female body in contemporary culture. It looks at how society embraces the cliches. She tries to decode and deconstruct the conventions and visual codes of gender.

Social/Cultural identity. Cultural Identity results form a network of independent forces that define roles, reward status, govern behavior, order power relations for all members of the community. Identity results form a network of independent forces. Cultural identity is determined by differences & similarities: Belonging to a group that shares he same values and moral codes. Any culture defines itself in relation, or rather in opposition to other cultures. Relations are never relations of equality. When looking at social and cultural identities ask your self Who am I as a member of a group? There are three ways that you may have a cultural identity; 1.Categorization: (labelling) 2.Identification (association with groups) 3.Comparison Social and cultural groups may include: Gender, race, ethnicity, school, home-group, photography class, sporting, after-school recreations, etc…

Multi-culturalism: Emphasis on and recognition of differences between cultures. Identity is formed through social interactions and shared histories. Identity is learned in certain settings. Potential for “Alternative collective histories” (Coco Fusco) Like we saw before when looking at Cindy Sherman, Individuals may identify with different groups in different situations. Being an individual within a cultural group allows people to; Gain an understanding of their distinctiveness challenge dominant oppressive stereotypes Strive for greater self-determination Develop a social identity for group members

MAX DUPAIN BEACH SERIES Most of Australia's population lives close to the coastline and the beach has long occupied a special place in the Australian identity. For many Australians the beach is a place of work. Australians make use of the coast as a destination for relaxation and fun.

Ray Leighton, Boys and the boards, Manly beach, New South Wales, , photograph: gelatin silver. Thousands of trained volunteer surf lifesavers keep Australia's popular swimming and surfing beaches safe every summer by providing beach patrols and first aid services.surf lifesavers

The dream of making a 'sea change'

WHAT MAKES YOU, YOU? Activity: Make a list of things that are connected to / best describe your sense of identity. Use nouns, verbs, adjectives, proper names, etc. You may want to think about the relationship between your social/cultural identities and you personal identity/s and mythologies?

This is a good website focuses on two photographers that focus on identity…