Hand-embroidered collage with promotional lithographs. 10 x 8 inches.
three of which I cut up and re-configured for this piece. I enjoyed altering the paper–more pliable than the card stock I’ve been working with, it offered a satisfying give and take of the thread and needle.
Silver gelatin print. 20 x 20 inches, edition of 3.
As with the most of the other works in my ongoing series of self-portraits, this photo was taken immediately after finding solace in the mirror of my bathroom and seeing (or perhaps sensing) that all was as it should be. Knowing these moments are not mine alone, I hope to capture some semblance of them to share my experience. I hold on to the feeling as I prepare – camera, film, tripod, shutter-release cable – and continue to ponder the chain of thoughts which brought me there. In this particular instance, it was the sting of the mouthwash I had originally hoped to capture. However, as I continued through the roll, spitting and pouring anew with each advanced exposure, the pain left my mouth. Dulled there, I soon found a lingering burn in my eyes. In this final shot on the roll, I continued to pour an excess of the stringent fluid, allowed it to trickle past my jaw and onto my chest. Only then, as both the burn and relief reached different parts of my skin, did I come back to that place, where was I fully reminded that everything was ok.
This sort of moment might not immediately strike many as being erotic- but upon close inspection, the process parallels many aspects of a sexual encounter with oneself–an intriguing moment puts in motion an instinctual series of events; sometimes frustrating, other times emotional, always aiming for climax. (Hell, even afterwards there’s the cleanup and occasional remorse.) Sharing this moment can be voyeuristic, even if it is only a representation of a moment.
Special thanks to Erin for her exceptional darkroom skills on the print.
Silver gelatin print. 20 x 20 inches, edition of 3. 10 x 10 inches, edition of 3. Collaboration with Erin Frost.
Short and sweet artist statement: Erin Frost and Shaun Kardinal share combined interests in self-portraiture, film photography, the human form, and each other. This is their first collaboration.
Visit erinfrostphotography.com for Erin’s gorgeous work.
8:15 VIdeo Loop. Collaboration with Erin Frost.
Filmed through the viewfinder of Erin’s Hasselblad, we traded control of the shutter-release button. We loved how the released shutter masked the view, in direct opposition to the reveal it provides against film. While there were flaws in the first take–the camera shifts, the light changes drastically–we felt that the first take captured everything we’d hoped for, and more; these flaws were really just part of the whole and we welcomed them.
Displayed on a made-in-’85 motel TV, our video looped continuously throughout the festival.
Visit erinfrostphotography.com for more work by Erin.
Graphite, cut paper, cut and sewn record sleeves. 16 x 22 inches. Collaboration with Joey Bates.
After finishing my collaboration with Troy Gua, I’d been keen to make some larger collage work. Challenged with only a few days to complete my task, I cut up several old record sleeves (Tabu [III] by Santana and Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones) and set to work. The collaborative series was included in his March 2010 show at Some Space.
Visit joeybates.com for more from Joey.
![Tabu [III] by Santana](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/santana-iii.jpg){kind=link}
