Ethan Jackson and Camera Obscura

I find the use of camera obscura to be one of the most interesting forms of art because like Jackson explained, everything is left up to chance; the artist has literally no control. In "Panopticon 1," Ethan Jackson explained how he was forced to let go of all his previous intentions. He had to let small changes or intuitions take place, whether he wanted them to or not. He did also say that most of the time he enjoys the changes that are made and that with the variations of light, something can be made much more beautiful. Comparing this to the use of a regular camera Jackson said that with a camera, he can control variables and everything is very much about control. The limitations of photography show him just how little he can do.
In some of the cloud installation clips he showed, he explained how in the room, you could feel yourself shifting because of the actual movement in the clouds. It was the same effect that one would get when looking at a body of water, but more fast paced. When the mirror on the outside of the lens would rotate, color was picked up from the mirror twice, altering it. The color of the clouds appeared realistic and natural, I wouldn't have known they were changed. I would have loved to see the real installation of the clouds because it seemed like one could be engulfed in clouds, kind of like a dream state for me. They were beautiful on the rippled cloth and they looked as if real clouds were coming at you from every corner.
The instillation shown today(wed. 14) of the street traffic and people walking was fun to watch because at first, it was confusing. It looked as though the people and cars were coming or fading in and out, then disappearing. Trippy. The color was dull but that made it realistic, kind of a dull day today. The repetition of the same image was cool because even though I knew what was further down the wall, I skimmed every part of it.
The way Jackson creates a dark empty room into an alive square of imagery is definitely something worth seeing. It's also interesting to know that so much went into making the piece. Actually just a light ray, small opening, mirror, and a dark room. The continual projection of images makes it like the viewer is experiencing an optical illusion or magic trick. The visual effects and varying light make the camera obscura experience show the ordinary world in a new way. I think this is a good example of how watching Jackson's work is such a different experience from looking at a photograph or watching a video. We are looking at the same material that could be seen in both but the camera obscura and the different angles result in a new experience. Its like looking at a moving photograph or a video of the outdoors but all around you.