THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2008
56 In Harmony: Portraits To Remember
By DENISE FLEISCHER
Lifestyle Editor
What began as photography teacher Laura Matzen's project for a graduate class evolved into a tribute.
The Chicago artist, who grew up in Northbrook, has created a photographic documentation of first generation teens' origins' of birth in her book "56 in Harmony." What makes this book interesting are the 56 Maine East High School students that posed for her.
"When I learned the assignment was to document a subject matter photographically, I knew I wanted to document the diverse portrait of America found at Maine East High School in Park Ridge where I currently teach photography," said Matzen, who just finished her eighth year at the Park Ridge high school. "I wanted to capture the unique environment that all of us at Maine East encounter everyday."
Matzen had to come up with a way to express her idea. The students could have posed in ethnic costume holding an object from their heritage. Matzen knew the most important aspect of Maine East's diversity was the "sense of unity and the celebration of their individual differences." So she focused her project on students who were born in other countries.
Her first step was requesting a report of the recorded origins of birth for the student population during the 2004-2005 school year. Of Maine East's 2,100 students, she found that 56 countries were represented. To represent each portrait, she found each country's flag, which symbolizes "a way of life, a background, a culture."
Matzen's artwork is more than a visual composition of elements, of point of view and light. To create the final pictures, she used both new and old technologies---35mm and digital cameras and computer software.
"For me, the beauty of portraiture photography is the simplicity of the moment that is captured through the lens," said Matzen. "I wanted to capture the way in which projected light falls across different skin tones and facial features. Using an antiquated slide projector, I cast the image of the flag from the country of birth across the individual's face to create a unique light portrait. Then I digitally photographed the image."
She wanted the expressions to be powerful and serious.
According to Matzen, the book is about where their life began. It's a tribute to the diversity of America. Some of the students moved to the United States when they were young and had to assimilate into another environment. There was yet another beginning.
During Matzen's free time, through one-on-one interactions, she took nearly 60 shots of each student, which led to their interest in the project and photography. Some of them signed up for photography class as a result. One hurdle she had to get over was that some of the students didn't speak English making it difficult for them to pose correctly. The majority of the students were proud to be featured in the book representing their countries of origin.
Two pages are devoted to each country. One features the image of the student with their flag's projection. The other shows the country's location on the map, flag its history, background, geography, population, nationality, ethnic groups, agriculture, capital, economy and labor force.
The entire production of the book took two and a half years, according to Matzen. The limited edition first print run, published in 2007, was for 100 copies.
"I'm ecstatic with the end result," Matzen said. "It's about harmony, that it's possible.
Cathy Creagh, an English teacher at Maine East who respects Matzen's work, spoke with some of the students in the book.
Marides Serranno and her parents were proud that she was chosen to represent the Philippines.
"I was flattered. I had never done something like that for my country," said Serranno, who considers the United States her country, as well. She contributed to the project because she trusted her. "She loves what she does, and I respect her."
Matzen received her B.A. in Visual Arts Education and Fine Arts from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She received her Masters degree in Photography from Governors State University in south suburban University Park.
She has exhibited her artwork in the Chicagoland area, including the following galleries: Spertus, NAB, 33 Collective, Little Black Pearl and EXP. She received honorable mention for her "56 In Harmony" images in the Visual Arts Gallery in University Park.