Thursday, December 9, 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

Kids and Nature

I keep on about how kids spend to much time indoors watching tv and on the computer.
Here is an article on why kids need nature.
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=10208
my own project can be seen here : theshrinkinghorizonsofchildhood.blogspot.com
Mike O'Toole




Saturday, September 18, 2010

The 2010 Berenice Abbott Prize

"Congratulations!! You are amongst some very talented photographers.
I took notes throughout the process and here is what David Fahey(http://www.faheykleingallery.com) said about your work: completely different, unique approach to familiar subject matter.”

The 2010 Berenice Abbott Photography Prize winners:

Christopher Capozziello, Hamden, Connecticut

Project Title: For God, for Race and for Country, a project about the Ku Klux Klan in the South

10 Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order)

Alexandra Strada, Brooklyn, New York

Jukka Male, Helsinki, Finland

Kendall McMinimy, Appleton, Wisconsin

Lisa Wiltse, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Marjorie Salvaterra, Los Angeles, California

Michael Frahm, Antwerpen, Belgium

Mike O’Toole, Kildare, Ireland 














Pej Behdarvand, Los Angeles, California

Ryan Spencer Reed, Ludington, Michigan

Teri Havens, Marble Colorado

You can see my project here http://theshrinkinghorizonsofchildhood.blogspot.com
and read about it here:

“The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood”     
Mike O’Toole’s series “The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood” was developed from reading an account by Reins Michels, a Dutch football coach about how he saw a family pull up their car near a woods in Holland.The dog ran out immediately but the children did not run out and explore the woods.The children did not see the woods as a place of play, of freedom or adventure.
Alas this has become the norm and today local children know more about the wildlife and environment of the Rainforest than of their own country.
Like most parents O’Toole worries about how much time children spend indoors, using modern technology and about health issues such as obesity in childhood.
In this work he contrasted the fact that the children were staying indoors while it was sunny outside, using the reflections on the windows to bring nature indoors while playing with the idea of the underlying tension and the culture of fear that surrounds childhood.
Although the outdoors are no more dangerous than at any other time in history, parents worry about what ‘might happen’ outdoors. Apart from the dangers for children outside, children themselves are being seen as a ‘threat’ to society by playing football in the streets or simply being out and about.
We bring adult ideas of how children should be, control their activities and over-schedule their lives insofar as there is little agency or autonomy for children themselves, in short we don’t trust children.We keep them “safe” in their glass boxes like exotic birds from the Rainforest.One parent in America wrote to me about the removal of recess at her child's school. In other areas recess coaches are being brought in to show the children how to play !

Tim Gill a writer on childhood says “I see the benefit of time away from adults as an important way for children to grow up as engaged, self confident, resilient people with some control of their own lives. What's needed is frequent,unregulated,self directed contact with people and places beyond the immediate spheres of family and school and the chance to learn from their mistakes. Part social commentary, part fiction, part autobiography, this project is the start of a series on issues around childhood. 
What interests O’Toole is a new kind of social documentary photography, less about reality and more about reflection. 
The best photography approaches something of a dream,Its through photography that illusion becomes reality.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood MA Exhibition

Light Sensitive (MA Group exhibition)
http://www.lightsensitive-maps-2010.co.uk/lightsensitive/home.html

I will show four 40x30" prints from my project The Shrinking Horizons Of Childhood
at this event in Baker St London this September. Note This Project now has its own Blog:
http://theshrinkinghorizonsofchildhood.blogspot.com

The MA Text
Mike O’Toole
The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood

Mike O’Toole’s part fictional part autobiographic series explores the tensions and culture of fear surrounding childhood. The children seem to be wavering between being objects of voyeuristic observation and willingly acting out roles in some vague performance.   

The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood deploys the aesthetic of confinement, contrasting the supposedly safe indoor space and the vibrating light coming through the windows posing no apparent danger, but still inaccessible. Surrounded by intangible, derealized images of nature reflected on the windows, the children come across as over-protected, locked in from whatever “might happen” outside and at the same time posing a threat to the established mechanics of society just by being out and about.

The photographic image functions an imaginary documentary, less preoccupied with reality than with fiction, echoing the essentially representable, imaginary reality learned from books and the internet the children tend to take for granted in their forced spiritual disconnection, and the socially imposed collective narratives of childhood, too vividly imprinted in their parents’ minds.    

Monday, August 2, 2010

Rhubarb-Rhubarb 2010















At Rhubarb I Showed my project The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood to Pat Lanza from the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles
 I also showed a broader range of work that I hope to exhibit at the Alliance Francasie in Dublin.
Over two days I had 15 meetings to show my portfolio and I left each person a limited edition mailer (see below) that was put together by Scott Burnett, at AAD.You can listen to him talk about creativity and the responsibilities of working as a graphic Designer here:http://vimeo.com/13492475

 These review events are a great opportunity to show work to a range of people (each person picks the reviewers they want to make meetings with over one to three days)
Then on saturday night at what was called the Portfolio Promenade,we then laid out our work on tables and both the public and ALL the reviewers came to see us .


“We believe that formal portfolio reviews like this are among the most proactive and efficient ways for serious, career-oriented photographers to meet many international photography experts and colleagues in a professional atmosphere,” said Jim Casper, publisher of Lens Culture. “Photographers connect directly with people who can help them with artistic and business goals. Its great for the reviewers too- they discover new talent, as well as the latest work of photographers who are already established.”

 
One of the best reviewers at Rhubarb, was a Dutch man Marc Prust from Paris Photographic Institute Spéos, another was Mary Anne Camilleri from The magenta Foundation in Toronto, she was direct, original and very interesting in her review of my work.
I met Tim Paton photo agent from Balcony jump London, David White from Duck rabbit, Jim Casper from lensculture, Maarten from Schilt publishing, Emily from contact editions, John from source magazine, Ute Noll from http://www.on-photography.com
Debra from Klomp Ching Gallery in New york, Bill Kouwenhoven from Hotshoe, Anna Reid from Pavilion, David from DMB media, Steven Mayles from V2photo, Simon Bainbridge editor of the BJP, Max Foxhall from Genesis, Anna Nordstrom curator at the George Eastman house.


Photographic artists I met , saw their work or drank with at the bar included: Richard Kolker, Ikuhisa Sawada (came over from Japan for it) Matthew Conduit, Stephen Vaughan, Olivia and Alison, Hin Chau, Nicky Walsh, lena Aliper.


Good face to face contacts were made, opportunities explored and I gained some new perspectives on my work which I am still processing.
This is an event I recommend to everyone for next year.
On the 630am flight over  I met an amazing man studying the five element principles of the art of Acupuncture, a story for another day...

Monday, July 5, 2010

The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood











My writing on photography is not academic, neither referencing psychoanalysis or semiotics, but it has a philosophy, it addresses key ingredients of my practice that are part of me and part of our culture such as disconnection, longing, lonesomeness and potential (either future or lost) “The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood” is part sociological account but it operates as a sort of personal, social and cultural commentary rather than a critical analysis using photography.I am interested in a sort of imaginary documentary, through photography illusion has become reality.

“The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood”     
Mike O’Toole’s series “The Shrinking Horizons of Childhood” was developed from reading an account by Reins Michels, a Dutch football coach about how he saw a family pull up their car near a woods in Holland.The dog ran out immediately but the children did not run out and explore the woods.The children did not see the woods as a place of play, of freedom or adventure.
Alas this has become the norm and today local children know more about the wildlife and environment of the rainforest than of their own country.
Like most parents O’Toole worries about how much time children spend indoors, using modern technology and about health issues such as obesity in childhood.
In this work he contrasted the fact that the children were staying indoors while it was sunny outside, using the reflections on the windows to bring nature indoors while playing with the idea of the underlying tension and the culture of fear that surrounds childhood.
Although the outdoors are no more dangerous than at any other time in history, parents worry about what ‘might happen’ outdoors. Apart from the dangers for children outside, children themselves are being seen as a ‘threat’ to society by playing football in the streets or simply being out and about. The childrens commisioner commented “England is one of the most child unfriendly countries in the world”.
Sir Al Aynsley Green, who quit after five years in the job, said that the British public's hostility to young people had made his job as children's champion very difficult. 
We bring adult ideas of how children should be, control their activities and over-schedule their lives insofar as there is little agency or autonomy for children themselves, in short we don’t trust children.We keep them “safe” in their glass boxes like exotic birds from the rainforest.
O’Toole was conscious to make work that avoided the cliched imagery of children depicted in lifestyle campaigns or the harrowing looks of children depicted in charity advertising.
Avoiding the use of artificial lighting which is part of the high production values of fashion, movies and TV and with the language of light is associated with the idea of ‘re-illumination’ He choose instead to use natural light, which is the visual representation of freedom and natural impulses of man.
Tim Gill a writer on childhood says “I see the benefit of time away from adults as an important way for children to grow up as engaged, self confident, resilient people with some control of their own lives. What's needed is frequent,unregulated,self directed contact with people and places beyond the immediate spheres of family and school and the chance to learn from their mistakes. Part social commentary, part fiction, part autobiography, this project is the start of a series on issues around childhood. 
What interests O’Toole is a new kind of social documentary photography, less about reality and more about reflection. 

Friday, June 25, 2010

Decisions

Today I made some tests prints on Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk (a fancy name indeed) and I was very impressed with the results. Yesterday I tested out Fabriano Digital Art papers and loved the very smooth and very dull Matt quality of the images.
A few days ago I went into my darkroom and printed up some 20x16 multigrade prints with warm tone developer. Before that I printed out on Hahnemuhle Fine art Pearl some A2 prints as tests also. 
This is part the life of the photographer, choosing the right camera and film or digital equipment and afterwards finding the best paper or developer or look for a project.
The questions about which prints,framing,right portfolios, and best scans all add up to what seem like hundreds of choices that have to be made.
Then the choice of project, choice of approach, where to publish, its goes on..

Hazel 

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Cervantes Dublin






New Frontiers, New Territories

 a photography exhibition organized by the Institute Cervantes in Dublin.
I have been asked to take part in a seminar to discuss this exhibition of spanish documentary.
I will also take part in a group exhibition "Tools of the Trade"as part of the FotoIreland festival In Dublin.
http://www.photoireland.org/2010/programme/event/talk-7-photography-in-contemporary-Spain

My Workbook (2009)











































Monday, May 31, 2010

Child with Net


I was just leaving the beach at Achill and I saw this boy with his net by the edge of the sea. He was sort of fencing with the wave.I was packing up but I pulled this old MPP press camera from my car and shot one frame, holding it up and setting the focus to infinity.
Strange for a photographer but I hate cameras. So,when i was asked to contribute to the "tools of the trade' exhibition at south street studios in July this image was first to mind. After many years of working with almost every available camera and format I believe the camera is not important. Photographers with basic equipment still manage to produce great work. Now I travel light and only bring to a shoot what I may use, no extra lenses or anything, i tailor to suit the job at hand.  Today I don't think I would take this image of an unknown child, due to the changes of how we perceive photographers photographing children.
That said, it feeds into my current project which is about childhood and the way in which we watch over children. Now I use my own children sally and Hazel or my friends children as subject material.

Friday, May 28, 2010

My man in China

My ex assistant Dan filmed this in China.
He's now working in Beijing.
Beautifully shot.

http://vimeo.com/11203583



Saturday, May 8, 2010

Childhood Horizons














                                                



Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they ever find? Samual Johnson [1780]

Mike O’Toole’s interest lies in using photography to make comment about the changing horizons of childhood In this series children are the subjects of his voyeuristic observations or willing participants in some kind of performance. Part social commentary,part fiction, part autobiography, O’Toole’s work plays with the underlying tension and the culture of fear that surrounds childhood. “Never have children been more restrained and watched-over than today”says O’Toole.
(Short version)

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

PhotoParley Dublin

Photoparley
 Photoparley Dublin, is a real place where Photographers who are serious about their photography can meet to discuss and debate issues relating to their own work and gain valuable feedback and support from others.The first meeting was this week and the energy and ideas were flowing,it was fantastic.

Here is how Photoparley will work
One evening ,six times a year, eight Irish based photographers will meet to show our current work in progress,to six other Photographers plus two other non photographers, such as a filmmaker, a storyteller, artist or curator or graphic designer to discuss their project and any issues relating to the development of those projects.
http://photoparleydublin.blogspot.com/2010/04/revolution-no9.html

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pool image

I shot this the other day over at Chris and Joe's house.
I love it when i just see something that interests me and I make an image like this .
Pictures like this seem to come out of nothing,just a few moments of seeing and capturing it so it looks like one of mine.

Hazel is the model.

Friday, April 2, 2010

The Exploding school



Ok, Its back to my project. Being outside nosing around as a photographer,one place leads you to another ,only this time it was through reading and then research on the internet, that I found out about this idea of the exploding school.
Inspired by the ideas put forward in the 1960s book Streetworks,the exploding school,is an inspiring and challenging idea
To to focus on the environmental education of the non-academic urban child. Having noticed a recent upsurge in public interest in town and country planning and the physical environment, the two Authors of the book Streetworks set about rethinking environmental education.
My own project on children and free play etc has brought me into contact with many excellent writers on Children's issues
and the environment from the physiological to the psychological aspects of the connection between the space and the child's
Use of that space and the child's agency with how to best use the little unscheduled time available to them today.
I guess I want to make a connection between the way the photo project is constructed and the methods of research now via the internet for a photographer and how people use whatever means available to imagine and enter some place of mystery and imagination. The desire for wonder and fantasy are I believe a need as deep as belonging.

In fact ancient people had much more respect for the otherworld and i think when we over schedule and over prescribe
Things to our children we take away some important and deeper interconnection between our self and our soul or spirit.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Portfolio Workshop By Mike O'Toole



This is the third Annual talk to graduating students at IADT about putting together
their portfolios. The workshop and discussion will focus on everything from various ways of presentation, to marketing and promotion, for commercial and fine Artists.A number of Photographers and Artists portfolios will be on display for discussion.
The talk will include issues such as finding your direction and what a powerful portfolio can do for your career.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Can we go outside?

A project about childhood, play,learning and adult fears...






I see the benefit of time away from adults/parents as an important way for children to grow up as engaged, self confident,resilient people with some control of their own lives. What's needed is frequent,unregulated,self directed contact with people and places beyond the immediate spheres of family and school and the chance to learn from their mistakes.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Started new project today !

Its about children and how we have created this unnatural lifestyle for them,tethered to the computer and sitting in front of the Tv. We have given no thought to free spaces for children to play and explore .We adults decide everything for them and thats a bad idea if you ask me.
What they need is frequent,unregulated,self directed contact with people and places beyond the immediate spheres of family and school and the chance to learn from their mistakes, on their own.
Inspired by Colin Ward, the 1970's anarchist's book Streetwork,the exploding school and Last child in the woods by Richard louv

Friday, January 29, 2010

What Photography means to me


What photography means to me
It's about noticing things around us that we don't notice.
It's about awareness
It's about the thingness of things
It's about creating connections
It's about showing the joys and the sadness of life
It's about a sort of transcendence photography forces us to connect to the larger universe, by providing an appreciation of beauty, a sense of hope , the humour and playfulness associated with being in the flow and being grateful .
Photography connects us with humanity, our peers and subjects.
To be a photographer is to take up a Nobel way of life that requires bravery , persistance and courage to make a living.
For me it's very much about learning and growth, through photography you learn about all manner of things just by increasing awareness . A photographer must be curious and open minded.
mike