GIOVANNI ROMOLO


BROKEN SHORELINE

Stigmatic memoirs represented in a formal document. The stigma in this context is a psychological mark of disgrace. Derived from memoirs of childhood abuse residing in adulthood, can be jolting and problematic in attempts to lead a life of normalcy. When one’s childhood is infected, it develops into a virus leading to a dysfunctional adulthood. Those moments of normalcy in a child’s life, most people in society get to experience and cherish denied, thus leading adults broken psychologically and emotionally. Dysfunctional moments leading to handling these re-occurring traumatic events in adulthood are unwanted shackles of rape culture. Regressing moments not beneficial to leading a normal life, this re-victimizes, returning subconsciously and vividly as the initial occurrence.

Broken Shoreline is a metaphor, where a shoreline is symbolic to society's notion of ideal, associations to the sublime. Broken, is the purity and innocence, and by virtue has contaminated this pristine, transitory moment in time. In adulthood, victims of abuse re-live those traumatic manifestations from early years. Those exact occurrences are played subconsciously, without notice those exact memoirs are triggered by live events. In adulthood, reliving those moments and the re-victimization occurs, sometimes days later or months, never the less it will resume, without notice.


CAMERA | FILM

MAMIYA RZ67 | PORTRA 160

IMAGE SEQUENCE


1.   INCEPTION

2.   EPISTEMOLOGY

3.   BESOTTED

4.   PENANCE

5.   RECITAL

6.   PATRIARCH

7.   DEFEATISM

8.   SACRIFICIAL

9.   ATONEMENT

10.  GENUFLECT

11.  TERMINUS

12.  MEMOIRS

  • INCEPTION 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • EPISTEMOLOGY 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • BESOTTED 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • PENANCE 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • RECITAL 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • PATRIARCH 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • DEFEATISM 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • SACRIFICIAL 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • ATONEMENT 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • GENUFLECT 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • TERMINUS 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

  • MEMOIRS 16x16" CHROMOGENIC PRINT

In society, the topic of child victimization is still taboo, the thought of deviant behavior and sexual acts being performed on children is unfathomable. As mature adults, we the victims have first-hand accounts of what has transpired and understood the gravity of the subject and encompassing factors. As a visual artist, taking ownership of the history of transgressions and present it, for all to witness our vivid nightmares in stimulating a dialogue. Therefore, the healing process can begin as society views an insight into our suffering. If the imagery becomes disturbing then the audience has insight into our experiences. Individuals ignoring or looking away shows how collectively a society allows crimes and perpetuates rape culture.