Eric Batke
Senior Staff Writer
In an effort to gain some insight into the colorful, yet oft misunderstood, world of creative Independent Studies, Senior Staff Writer Eric Batke sat down for an interview with studio art major Will Ehrenreich ’12. Ehrenreich elaborated on the methods and thought processes that come with a photography-related IS.
Eric Batke: What is the title of your IS?
Will Ehrenreich ’12: “Extended Family.”
EB: What exactly does that constitute? Like, what’s the subject matter and theme behind the IS?
WE: It’s a series of photographs of lawn ornaments and other types of yard art taken outside of the boundary of the yard.
EB: How did this subject come to you? Does this topic have any personal significance to you?
WE: It has evolved as a progression from my junior I.S. For my junior I.S. I photographed people’s lawn ornaments within the context of the yard. While shooting for that project I became interested in how one would respond to seeing some of these objects outside of the yard so that any scrutiny attached to the idea of these objects became void when considered in a different context.
EB: When and how did you first become interested in photography?
WE: I’ve always enjoyed photography as a hobby but it wasn’t until I came to Wooster and took a class called Conceptual Strategies in Photography that I decided I wanted to major in studio art while focusing on photography. Shout-out to Professor Josh Jalbert.
EB: Does your photography have any particular influences, both IS-wise and in general?
WE: I.S.-wise, lawn ornaments have been my particular influence. In general, and in terms of creating a series, simply exploring until you find a subject that you think is interesting enough to create a cohesive body of work out of.
EB: Can you explain what a photography I.S. entails? What are your requirements apart from just taking a bunch of pictures?
WE: There is a paper involved, and orals, but the concentration is on the finalized body of work that is displayed in the gallery.
EB: Who is your advisor? What is the process of working with an advisor on a photo I.S.? Is your advisor hands-on with the project or are you relatively free to do your own thing?
WE: Bridget Milligan. Our meetings are discussions reflecting upon any new work that I have to show her. She is hands-on in the sense that she doesn’t hesitate to give me suggestions, but I feel relatively free to do my own thing.
EB: What inspires you?
WE: Fake deer, a lack of things to do around campus, plastic flamingos, [finding] simple remedies for there being a lack of things to do around campus.
EB: Is there a particular statement you are trying to make through your project?
WE: I’m still formulating my conclusion so I don’t really want to say anything here that might contradict what I will have in my paper. As opposed to a statement, it’s more about seeing how people will respond to seeing these objects in a different context. With the animals particularly, people have them in their yards as aesthetic reminders of the natural world. Taking them out of the yard, and placing them in different environments where they appears seemingly more natural, but are arguably less natural, creates an interesting conflict that I’m excited to see how people respond to, and am still trying to reconcile myself.