Betul Cakir
Still Life
Prompt: For this project, we were asked to create a visual piece that brings together at least 30 still images from our daily lives—things we've seen directly or made ourselves—and pair them with text. Inspired by artists like Sophie Calle, Nan Goldin, and Chris Marker, the goal is to explore how image and text interact: whether they tell a story, create contrast, or add unexpected meaning to one another. We're expected to consider things like composition, sequencing, and aesthetics, and to think about how the visuals and writing work together formally. The final project can be presented as either a book or a moving image work.
This project responds to the assignment by pairing over 30 original photographs from my daily life with short texts to explore the relationship between image and language. Inspired by artists like Sophie Calle, Nan Goldin, and Chris Marker, I focused on capturing quiet, transitional moments that reflect on time, memory, and emotional presence. My intention was to create a visual rhythm—fragmented but connected —where text adds layers of meaning without directly explaining the images. I chose a simple, linear book format to mirror the flow of everyday life. The process was grounded in observation and walking, using natural light and minimal editing to keep the work honest and grounded in the present.