Shanna Merola, Untitled, 2011, Archival Pigment Print, 20x30
Departmental Philosophy
The Photography Department at Cranbrook cultivates artists to practice in a manner that is both non-traditional and interdisciplinary. Critical discussions originate from issues in contemporary photography that are inspired by documentary, tableau, or performative practices. Using these dialogues as a starting point, we look to historic as well as contemporary works to assess the direction of the medium. We evaluate production value, content and its formal translation, and the nature of practice as we establish models of critique and production that can be sustained beyond the academy and into the profession.
Program
At the MFA program in photography at Cranbrook, approximately 15 students work closely with their artist-in-residence to find their subject matter, explore the function of form, and produce a refined and sustainable practice that generates artworks. In addition to regularly scheduled group critiques, the artist-in-residence engages the students in individual meetings and assigned readings. Part of the curriculum is generated by the students as they are expected to do field and literary research throughout their tenure at Cranbrook. Each student shares her field and literary research with her peers by conducting a seminar in which she leads her cohort through a field trip and selected readings. The program is supplemented by regular visits from outside artists and critics.
Laura Ginn, Found Shelter, 2009, conté crayon on photograph, 19” x 14.5”
Facilities
Each MFA candidate is awarded a studio space. Cranbrook Photography houses both digital and wet labs. The digital lab includes processing, scanning, printing and viewing stations. The processing area includes several iMacs equipped with the latest version of the Adobe Design Suite. The scanning station includes an Imacon scanner for negatives and a large-scale scanner for opaque and transparent media. The printing station includes a Mac Pro tower, a professional monitor, the latest Adobe Design Suite, Colorburst RIP software, and a large format Epson printer. In addition to the facilities in the Photography Department, the Central Media Lab houses a studio with infinity walls, and provides digital cameras, video cameras, lights and sound equipment for check out.
Brittany Nelson, Mordancage2, 2011, Pigmented Ink (Gelatin Silver Mordancage),60" x 60"
James Carrillo, After Hopper, 2010,Archival Inkjet Print , Variable size
Ron Thibaud, Vibrate, 2010, Single channel high definition video
Lauren Payne, Gateway to the Cosmic Ocean, 2010, digital print, 40” x 60”
PD Rearick, Polemic Exercise, 2010, digital gelatin silver print, 40” x 40”
Jordan Long, Box Shipment #2, 2011, video, 09:01