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Photography is a solitary enterprise, it is often said. Even at a
newspaper like The Tech, where many people come together
for a common goal, all too often you pick up the assignment, shoot
and then drop off the film to be developed by someone else. It
was many months into this year before everyone knew everybody
else's name. there are other communities of photographers on this
campus, yet we hardly know each other, let alone show or discuss
our work. If we want to apply the oft sought-after label of "Art"
to what we do, then first and foremost we have to share our
thoughts, images and visions.
MIT probably has more darkroom space per student than any other
institution not dedicated to the visual arts. Many of the
darkrooms sit, alone and dusty, used for storage or nothing at
all. The advent of the electronic age has thinned the ranks of
MIT's photographers, drawing people instead to Athena or the
computer at home. Despite this, a few dedicated individuals
remain, in small groups, each isolated from the other. The
history of artistic achievement is typically portrayed as the lone
struggle of individual genius. However, a closer look reveals
that most great art springs from a community that creates both
cooperation and friendly competition between its members.
The best foundation of such a photographic community is a forum
that stimulates the creation of images. This is a publication
that values photographs for their own sake, rather than as
documents of an event, a portrayal of MIT or just an adjunct to
the literary art. We hope that everyone will enjoy the Gallery
and that it may bring the fragmented photographic community closer
together. Finally it is our earnest hope that you see at least
one picture in the book that not only makes you think "I could do
better than that" but inspires you to do so. We look forward to
seeing your pictures next semester.
The Editors
Edited By: Gábor Csányi, Greg Kuhnen, Rebecca Loh,
Indranath Neogy
The Gallery is published by The Tech Photography
Department
Send submissions to: Photo Editor
Printed on 80lb Fortune glossy paper with 200lpi
Copyright © 1998 The Tech Gallery |