Activity: Photographic slideshows
Host: Moray House Trust
Date: Thursday 29th October 2015
“Facades: The Diverse Guyanese Identity” started with the moderator, Karran Sahadeo, speaking briefly about the complexity of the concept of Guyanese identity and transitioned into how photographers should use their subject matter (and not the technical aspects of their cameras) to create art which can aim to make sense of such complex social concepts.
Jermana de Freitas was the first speaker. She started off her presentation with humour which captured the audience’s attention. Titled, “Memories of the Demerara Shutter,” this study was solely focused on Colonial Architecture. This young amateur photographer expressively spoke of her sparkling interest in these structures. She admitted her ignorance and lack of knowledge of the history of these forms before her research and worked out her attraction to them came from a nostalgic connection, having spent some of her early childhood living in a Colonial House.de Freitas then detailed the uses of the various features from the practical to the decorative. To conclude her presentation, Jermana de Freitas called on the public and encouraged them to document and preserve these structures both in their physical embodiment and by using photographs has historical and educational artefacts.
Laron Gulliver’s presentation, “Afrocentric: The Miseducation of Laron Gulliver,” analysed the representation of women of African descent. Gulliver’s study was a form of motivation in order to improve her self-esteem by understanding her African culture and roots. Gulliver highlighted that the media’s interpretation of how an African woman should look, dress and behave was inaccurate and stereotypical; focusing on a fair complexion, thin lips and noses, and straight hair. She then went on to show the photographs she crafted which counteracted these media biases and in doing so, she found the beauty within her own natural features.
Both photographers were commended for their presentations during the questions and answers segment. Dialogues ranged from the role religion plays in establishing a particular identity to how to correctly archive historical architecture and make the data publicly available.