Sal: Surfing in Rockaway

A street sign pointing to Rockaway Beach. 
Photo Credit:  Sbazzone (Own work) [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons.  Picture located at
joedicondina.com.

Sal entered the year intending to continue studying the topic of his 10th grade Personal Project:  happiness.  Wishing to examine the intersection between joy and photography, he researched TED Talks on emotions, planned a test evaluating the aesthetic of happiness, and reflected upon his own pleasures:  his photography, his artistic influences (e.g., Darren Ankenman, Robert Mapplethorpe), and his drive to capture the mood of NYC through art.  Not long after declaring his topic, however, Sal waned in his effort.  He entered a period of indecision during which he occupied his attention with research into surfing.  He had long relished the ride and the codes of conduct for surfers, so he passed the time by exploring Rockaway Beach (located in Queens, NY), a shoreline boasting both a surfing subculture and Manhattanite values.

Soon Sal transformed the quasi-interest into his topic proper.   Almost overnight, for instance, the Edge Team discovered him spending the majority of his time in the campus's dark room with a worn surfboard.  When asked what he was doing, he replied that he wished to restore and plane the platform.  Sure enough, after a few days as well as mounting collections of styrofoam dust, the board began to boast meticulous curves and the outlines of slats.  Sal complemented his hands-on work, too, with comprehensive research.  He doubled his efforts to follow professionals such as Mick Fanning (@Mick_Fanning), and he constructed a timeline of board designs beginning in the 1960s.  He analyzed the literature, music, and art of surfing sub-cultures in California by reading William Finnegan's memoir, and he explored posts on surfers' social media profiles.  Finally, he channeled his writing and photography to reflect upon his evolving understanding of surfing.  Indeed, he applied these skills in a multimedia assignment that we share with you now. (NOTE:  In order to present Sal's words in their unadulterated form, we The Edge Team have not modified the piece beyond those revisions we conducted with him.)

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For a life long surfer, living in landlocked Amenia is hard, especially when Instagram is flooded with pictures of the north shore. But there is a ray of hope from 2:01 to 3:39, my Edge time. Edge is a program offered to 11th and 12th grade students that allows them the freedom to work independently on a topic of their choosing. I end my school day doing something I love, whether it’s reading surf articles or working on shaping my surfboard. For the last 2 periods I’m able to immerse myself in everything surfing (besides “really” surfing). I am hand-shaping a surfboard, with no real instruction, I use my sandpaper and a plainer, that's it. Going over the same spot by hand over and over trying to achieve the perfect board it's hard but extremely satisfying. Everyday I learn something new about surfing and everyday I look forward to 7th and 8th period Edge.

When I'm not caught up in my surfing, I'm looking at photography, a hobby I picked up when the waves were flat. Sadly, on the east coast, that is most of the time. I started taking pictures of what interests me, naturally the beach is one of my big interests but I also like to document the towns and neighborhoods that sit next to the beach.

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As we look back at his journey, we believe that Sal recognized - on some level - that the study of emotions proved too sterile for him.  He modified his pursuit, personalizing his investigation by asking himself the question that he wished to pose to others, "What causes you happiness?"  Such a step, bred from a moment of confusion and doubt, was all that he needed to begin to flourish.  We at Edge are grateful to have you as an Edge Maker, Sal, and we applaud your diligence in editing and helping us publish another student-led blog post!

Have a thought on Sal's journey? A resource for his investigation? Please post in the comments below!

Jacob Riis Park (Rockaway, Queens). 
Photo taken by Sal and shared
 with the Edge Team.

Block 148 (Rockaway, Queens).

Photo taken by Sal and shared with

the Edge Team.

Beach 148 (Rockaway, Queens). 
Photo taken by Sal and shared
with the Edge Team.

FINAL: Jonathan - Geometric Designs, Exhibit, and Portfolio

Jonathan did not relent in the final months of school.  By systematizing those conditions that allowed him to develop his artistic eye and organizational system, he assured himself a strong end to an already productive year.  

After attending One Spark and co-writing a blog post with the IP faculty, he began to conclude two of his pursuits:  his geometric drawings and his photography.  Regarding the former, he produced such designs by secluding himself within "The Makers' Space" for hours on end.  As his art teacher and IP advisor Ms. Charlap remarks:

It was fascinating to watch him engage in his process of activating a picture plane with thoughtfully chosen geometric forms created along a horizontal grid.  His approach was organized and systematic, yet he managed to produce images that felt intuitive and organic. Each drawing became the catalyst for the one that followed. He sought out and was open to critiques of his work, taking in outside opinions while ultimately trusting his judgment.

Jonathan produced this series deliberately and precisely, and we hope that he will continue to expore his geometric sensibilities - as well as his need for precision - as he enters college.

On his own initiative, Jonathan also spent significant portions of time cataloguing and organizing his photographs.  He demonstrated his interest in that process throughout the year, tirelessly combing through - and editing, where appropriate - shots that he had taken the previous day or week.  Now, however, he found additional reasons to conduct such work.  First, he organized photographs for a one-man exhibit in "The Makers' Space" during Founders' Day.  Although he was unable to attend the event, students, family, friends, and faculty responded to his work positively.  In addition, he selected and sequenced photos to create an online portfolio via Blogger.com (@Blogger).  This portal will allow future peers, employers, and any interested individuals to appreciate some of his most representative work without the restrictions of location or time.  To check out these pieces for yourself, please click here.  Be sure to check back, as Jonathan will doubtless expand the page in the months ahead!

The Edge /​ IP faculty are proud of Jonathan for his gains in organization and maturity, and we are inspired by the effort he exerted - and continues to exert - in preparation for his freshman year at Columbia College Chicago (@ColumbiaChi).  We invite you to celebrate his work with us by posting in the comments section below.

Description of image:  Top left, a photo of one of Jonathan's geometric drawings.  Middle right, a screenshot of Jonathan's online portfolio (jonathanevansphotography.blogspot.com).  Kildonan and its Edge /​ IP program claim no ownership over the graphics above.

Jonathan Attends One Spark

IP has seen no shortage of students attending conferences.  Indeed, inspired by Trey's travels to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) 2015 Show and Max's visit to the New England Magic Conference (NEMCON), Jonathan recently decided that his turn had come.  Determined to learn about crowdfunding and large-scale artistic projects, he drew up a proposal - entirely on his own initiative - to travel to Jacksonville, FL for One Spark (@BeOneSpark).  He consulted various vendors in search of employment too, securing a volunteer photography position with One Spark itself.

Due to his careful deliberation while securing permissions, Jonathan received the total support of the IP faculty.  For the rest of the story, we invite you to consult Jonathan's own words below:

One Spark is an event for artists, entrepreneurs and innovators in art, education, health &​ science, social good, music, and technology to get their ideas and projects funded by everyday people. It gave me a chance to learn about the projects in each of the categories and what good that each creator had to offer and the difference they are trying to make in the world. I went down to One Spark to photograph the event directly and to get experience in photographing an event. For the time that I was working, I was learning a lot about what the vendors had to go through while working at the event. I also learned that working at an event like this can be a lot of fun and a lot of photography experience.

I didn’t have a specific assignment; I took pictures of vendors, people, and the Food Village on certain streets. The event was spread out over a lot of streets, and I had to do Food Village (a center with restaurants and food trucks). I gave many of my photos to One Spark, which is going to use them for future advertising. I hope that mine are going to be used in the social media and promotional advertising. I was taking pictures for One Spark (with them in mind) and for the fun of it. This isn’t a different venue than others I’ve done before, but there were a lot more people there.

What do you think of One Spark and Jonathan's experience? Please post in the comments section below.

Description of images:  Shots of the One Spark convention.  All photos taken by Jonathan on-site.

Jonathan: Alejandro Cartagena &​ Snow Series

Though he does not like to admit this himself, IP has changed Jonathan.  Although he began the year uncertainly, skimming the surface of various topics and feeling unsure of how he might direct his focus, he has gradually become a veritable workhorse.  Having carved out a corner niche for himself in the upstairs studio, he spends most of his time taking new photos, combing through them using a television positioned on his worktable, and manipulating the photos' finer details using Adobe Photoshop.

Currently, Jonathan is working on two projects.  First, he has found a new mentor in Alejandro Cartagena.  Born in the Dominican Republic and now working in Monterrey, Mexico, Cartagena creates photography series that "employ landscape and portraiture as a means to examine social, urban and environmental issues. His work has been exhibited internationally and is in the collections of several museums..." (passages taken from the Bio of Alejandro Cartagena's website).  Jonathan finds himself particularly fascinated with Cartagena's Carpoolers series.  While analyzing the photo at right, for instance, he noted an interesting contrast:  American pedestrians would suffer a ticket if they hitched a ride in the back of a truck, while for Mexican residents, this practice is a normal and accepted part of life.  Jonathan is engaging Cartagena's work not only on an artistic but also on a cultural level.

Jonathan has also capitalized upon the many snowstorms still sweeping through the Hudson Valley by developing a photography series focusing on snow.  During the past several closures, Kildonan community members have frequently seen Jonathan scaling snow drifts for the perfect shot, a scarf wrapped protectively around his camera.  His photos are evocative of rich textures and the muffled stillness of a storm.  Those that resonate most with me, however, succeed for their peculiar capacity to capture the paradox that is Nature:  its orderliness and chaos, its wildness and delicate beauty.

What are your thoughts? Do you have insights on Cartagena or Jonathan's snow series? If so, please post in the comments section below.

Description of 1st image:  Two pieces within Cartagena's Carpoolers series.  Photo located at inhabit.com.  Kildonan and its IP program claim now ownership over the above graphic.

Description of 2nd and 3rd image:  Original images belonging to Jonathan E.'s "Snow" series.

Jonathan: Psychology of Photography

Jonathan: "I Can't Breathe" Protests in NYC (12/​13/​14)

America is suffering from a crisis of race.  The deaths of black men such as Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Akai Gurley, and Tamir Rice have inflamed this instability, of course.  Some argue that these men died for reasons other than their race, that they possessed criminal records, for instance, that necessitated forceful reactons by white police officers.  But even if these deaths did not arise from racial considerations, the fact that they have come to encapsulate U.S. race relations is indisputable.  They highlight triumphs and traumas of black inclusion in the U.S. that began, arguably, with the racialization of Native Americans during the 17th century.  They echo the voices of American authors - contemporary and traditional, black and white - who have long confronted and continue to highlight the topic with varying degrees of agonized cries and silence.

These riots, unavoidably, are "an issue"...but they are saddening particularly because they have BEEN an issue for centuries.

Tens of thousands of protesters have flocked to city streets across the country to protest the killing of black men by white police officers.  Activists have launched large demonstrations particularly in Washington, D.C. and New York City with signs reading "Black Lives Matter" (#BlackLivesMatter) and "I Can't Breathe" (#ICantBreathe), echoing Eric Garner's last words.  Many of these protests have proven peaceful, but increasingly participants are calling for, and actually attacking, police (such as in NYC and near UC Berkeley.

One of our IPians, Jonathan, happened to attend a protest in NYC last weekend.  Exploring #photojournalism as his topic in IP, this situation gave Jonathan the organic opportunity to continue his research.  All photos attacked to this post are his shots of the scenes and participants he witnessed.

What are your thoughts on these photos? Are these ongoing protests likely to effect change, especially as some of these devolve into violence? Please post in the comments section below.

For a brief video of the NYC protests (12/​13/​14), please click here.

Jonathan: Shooting Robert King (2012)

In Jonathan's exploration into how photography affects people, Robert King (@Thefotoking), his work, and the documentary Shooting Robert King (2012) play no small role.

At 24-years-old, King finds himself in Sarajevo in 1993.  As the website for Shooting Robert King explains, he is:

... a graduate [aiming] to be the youngest ever Pulitzer Prize winner. He’s got 800 bucks in his pocket, has never been to a war and his ambition is proving tough. He gets shot at on the front line, fired by his agent and sets light to his apartment – all within his first month. Despite everything he is funny, charming, engaging and continues to be optimistic about his life’s possibilities.  

Since King sees two other wars over the course of fifteen years, however, is he able to retain this sense of charm? Or does he devolve into despair and madness?

Shooting Robert King, the website goes on, 

... explores the complex web of motivations that drive someone to extremes: the insecurities and aspirations, the striving for excellence and acknowledgement and the seemingly conflicting need to be at peace and yet near danger.... This film addresses the two questions that are always asked of those who report wars: Why do you do it? How does it affect you?

Some follow-up questions by the IP faculty:  how will this film and King's vision of photography inform Jonathan's work and his own interpretation of the art?

For the website for Shooting Robert King, please click on the following link:  http://us.shootingrobertking.com/#2.  Please consult the video below for a brief trailer of the documentary.

(Robert King, pictured above.  This photo belongs to memphisflyer.com.  Kildonan and the IP program claim no ownership of the above image).