Todd Fairchild // unsuitable content

Gift

The content of the gift is a rainbow decal that was intended to be given to a friend who I had not bought a gift for. Though it was vintage and nostalgic, it only cost a dollar and certainly falls in the category of a ‘thought gift’, the last minute and impersonal fulfillment of the gift exchange obligation - the unsavory side of gift giving. This photograph was taken at the end of January and remains at this time un-given.

Also subjects in the photo are crumbs, a bowl with oatmeal remains peaking over the rim creeps in from the side, a glass pedestal creeps in from the other side — a prop from my first try at this photo which did not work, the pattern of the table dominates the image, competing with the subject, other untidy and unplanned elements are shown as possible unsuitable elements, which I would normally remove from a composition.

All non-subjects compete with the subject and also point to half-assed domestic etiquette, which is the real subject of these compositions.

too much of the mantle so the emblem (the non-subject) dominates the frame, and sickly light making the awkward scene unpleasant. The nail exposed also indicates that something was there before which was removed because it was unsuitable.

Gift The content of the gift is a rainbow decal that was intended to be given to a friend who I had not bought a gift for. Though it was vintage and nostalgic, it only cost a dollar and certainly falls in the category of a ‘thought gift’, the last minute and impersonal fulfillment of the gift exchange obligation - the unsavory side of gift giving. This photograph was taken at the end of January and remains at this time un-given. Also subjects in the photo are crumbs, a bowl with oatmeal remains peaking over the rim creeps in from the side, a glass pedestal creeps in from the other side — a prop from my first try at this photo which did not work, the pattern of the table dominates the image, competing with the subject, other untidy and unplanned elements are shown as possible unsuitable elements, which I would normally remove from a composition. All non-subjects compete with the subject and also point to half-assed domestic etiquette, which is the real subject of these compositions. too much of the mantle so the emblem (the non-subject) dominates the frame, and sickly light making the awkward scene unpleasant. The nail exposed also indicates that something was there before which was removed because it was unsuitable.