Photo and writing therapy project on the web
Posted by Francine on 5/17/2004, 6:24 am I am a 44 year old Canadian photo based artist living and working in Montreal. Please let me introduce you to an on-line photographic installation called I want to get it off my chest! and the writing/art therapy project connected to it. First, a bit of background. I have had 4 cancer occurrences since turning 40 in the year 2000, two of them being Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. I have learned that every bit counts in a healing and health program and found myself integrating the cancer experience in my art making. I WANT TO GET IT OFF MY CHEST! PHOTOGRAPHIC INSTALLATION JUDY WEISER AND THE PHOTO THERAPY CENTRE GETTING THE WORD OUT TO OBTAIN TESTIMONIALS Art therapists and their clients may want to see the on-line exhibition out of personal interest, but also they may want to invite their clients to participate in it as well. Since I dedicate a web-page to each person that submits a respectful testimonial, they are given the opportunity to share their cancer experience through a safe and public forum. I am planning to show I want to get it off my chest! in gallery settings across Canada many more times by the end of this decade as well as continue to show it 24/7 on the web even beyond my passing. It would be fantastic to have testimonials from each continent and as many countries and languages as possible and at the very least from coast to coast in Canada. The next city to host the real-life exhibit will be Toronto most likely in 2005. I am asking for your help in getting the word out about this writing/art therapy cancer project which I am now opening to all types of cancers. A personal recommendation to your collaborators, members and sponsors, an announcement in an e-bulletin, web site, bulletin board, press release or in any other media or means at your disposal would all make a difference. Please feel free to contact me at anytime. I would be delighted to answer any questions you might have. Sincerely, T: 514-762-4654 I want to get it off my chest! English Description: Description française : My website Women Artists in Canada
Link: Francine Gagnon's Photo Based Art
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Re: Photo and writing therapy project on the web
Posted by Lori DeMarre on 5/24/2004, 1:16 pm, in reply to "Photo and writing therapy project on the web" Your work is beautiful, powerful and brings to light a subject that is still too many times taboo and secretive. Thanks for being out there doing such healing work and images. I work in different cancer organizations in Seatte, Wa and will pass on information about your photo and writing therapy project. I'm not clear, however, if your project is for people with breast cancer only or includes all types of cancers. Please let me know so I can pass your info to the appropriate folks. I am currently working on a project sponsored by Verbena titled "The Vision & Voice Project". It is on on-going body of work in which the process of co-creating these photographic images are just as important as the end result. In this project, I facilitate lesbians, bi-sexual and transgendered folks who have or have had cancer to create a "visual story" literally or metaphorically of their experiences. I give up photographer's control and they choose the images that best portrays their "voice". If you are interested check it out at: http://www.verbenahealth.org/vision_voice.html Thanks! Warmly, Lori DeMarre
Link: http://www.InnerEssence Photography.com
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Re: Photo and writing therapy project on the web
Posted by Francine Gagnon I went to see Vision & Voice and find it quite interesting. I am an open minded person and even though I have many acquaintances and one close friend that are either lesbians or bisexual, I am not that familiar with the non-hetero culture itself. We, them and me, go through the same life experiences except with them it is with the same sex. I was struck by the normal look of the women in Vision & Voice. Too often, lesbians are being tagged with the butch look and attitude written on their forehead and readily perceptible as soon as one looks at them. They are the visible ones who give the impression they need to put their foot down. I do understand that lesbian women who do not look it would feel the need to have a voice of their own, but their process could very well be just like a hetero process. My thirtysome testimonials collected so far have led me to conclude that no matter the cultural differences (coutry, generation and sex (menVSwomen)) the cancer experience is quite similar in terms of human experience (emotion management). Some differences exist in the way people react or are treated, but I think it is more a matter of personality and beliefs than culture (with a few exceptions of course like The Phillipines where treatment is not available to most people because they cant afford it). The fact that you surrender photographers control is also of particular interest. Lending yourself to them like this has got to be very rewarding for all. Great idea! It is wonderful to meet you.
Link: Photographic Installation and Virtual Exhibit
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