black and white

To my partner, thank you for encouraging me to pursue photography

black and white

Exploring the duality of existence

In this exhibition, I propose to explore the concept of duality through the symbolism of black and white By focusing on the dichotomy of black and white, I aim to convey the idea that in life, as in black and white photography, things are not always simple and clear; there is an absence of grays This lack of gray reflects the reality for many people who struggle with mental disorders such borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder For them, life is presented in terms of extremes, without nuances in between

The topics I aim to explore with this project are

Duality and Extremes Through contrasting black and white images, I depict the duality of human existence, from euphoria to despair, and from loneliness to connection.

Vulnerability and Authenticity. By using my own body as the subject of the experiment, I delve into vulnerability and authenticity, exploring how these characteristics manifest in a public and socially challenging environment, influenced by the difficulties presented by my social anxiety

Art as Therapy I investigate the potential of art as a form of therapy given that I have been committed to working in public spaces, challenging my own social anxiety, and capturing the authenticity of the human experience in everyday settings.

To capture these ideas, I have used a digital camera to emphasize the contrast between black and white

My goals for this project are to

Raise awareness about the experience of living in emotional extremes

Highlight the importance of art as a means for expression and healing

Foster empathy and understanding towards those struggling with mental health issues

Some mornings, I'd wake up with an inexplicable loathing for them, a bitterness that seemed to surface from the depths of my subconscious. The mere suspicion that they might harbor animosity towards me fueled a visceral disdain within me, a resentment that brewed and simmered beneath the surface It's a feeling that often spirals out of control, an overwhelming sense of mistrust that festers within me The thought that they might secretly despise me becomes an obsession, compelling me to preemptively detest them It's as if I must steel myself against the anticipated betrayal, safeguarding my fragile trust by preemptively withdrawing it The fear of being the target of their hidden contempt consumes me, leaving me with no choice but to shield myself with preemptive hostility

People didn't understand this sudden contrast of emotions; perhaps it unsettled them, as it defied their expectations To them, it didn't make sense how I could shift from affection to animosity in the blink of an eye They struggled to comprehend the depths of my turmoil, the tangled web of suspicion and resentment that gripped my consciousness But for me, it felt mechanical, as if I were observing the gears of a mechanism turning with relentless precision It was as if my inner workings had been calibrated to anticipate betrayal long before my conscious awareness could process it, and so I reacted with a calculated self-defense mechanism In a world where trust was a fragile construct easily shattered, my guardedness became my default mode, my armor against the unseen threats of deception So while others recoiled in confusion at my abrupt shifts in mood, for me, it was simply the automatic response of a mechanism navigating a hazardous environment

Lita