Gattuccio, MiKayla

I shuffle through long boxes of worn postcards and aged photographs at the local antique store. My eyes follow the shapes and designs of each individual’s handwriting, noting the pen colors, pressures, and styles. I begin to see the writings as fingerprints, none two the same, marking an identity. I see the emotions of people’s faces and bodies, the depth, happiness, and sadness expressed through film. Why would one discard or sell these invaluable memories? Why am I so intrigued and curious about their stories? They engage something inside of me and trigger a creative presence that I cannot ignore.

This series of work explores the recontexualization of found materials, granting them a new contemporary purpose. I have brought new life to misplaced memories and also a new life to a dying medium, the Polaroid.

MiKayla Gattuccio is currently studying fine arts at The Pacific Northwest College of Art, and will be graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography in December 2009. She lives and works in Salem, Oregon.

Diction Tone Voice My companion my friends $224 Pain body $130 Reflection Impression Unlocking Memories