Us Alone: An Exhibition

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

For the past 2 years I have been photographing portraits of young couples living together in Paris, London and Brighton. I looked into the lives of others to explore how people relate on an intimate level when living side by side, day by day. I entered the homes of real couples and asked them to be part of a story, to narrate a moment within two lovers’ lives when the communication falters and the unity separates. I photographed the sadness, the tension, the boredom which can be present in all couples’ lives at some point. I grew up with the illusion that being in love was the ultimate answer. This project was my own quest for understanding and chance for others to glimpse into hidden worlds which may reflect their own.

With this series, my artistic development has progressed both conceptually and aesthetically. Now completed, ‘Us Alone’ has gained recognition and some important awards. I now need to keep up the momentum, take it to the next level and show the work.

I have been given the opportunity to exhibit 'Us Alone' in my first solo show at the Latvian Photography Museum in Riga, in August 2012. Whilst they are helping to organise the shipping of my work, I need to cover the costs of printing and mounting the photographs. Once achieved the work will be ready to display in further exhibitions. I am asking for your support in order for me to have this series exhibited and to make this amazing opportunity a reality.

 

ARTIST BIO

Laura Stevens (b.1977, UK) is an English photographer currently living in Paris. She received a Master’s degree in photography from the University of Brighton, England, in 2007. Stevens’ work has recently been recognized in a number of awards, such as, the Magenta ‘Flash Forward’ Emerging Photographers 2012, the Lens Culture Exposure Awards 2011 and the Julia Margaret Cameron Award 2010. Last year her work was shown in a number of group exhibitions, such as the ‘Foto8 Summer Show’ and ‘Peaches and Cream’ in London, The Centre of Fine Art Photography, Colorado (winning Juror’s selection) and The Greenlane Gallery, Paris.
Some of her clients and publications include: The Times, The Saturday Telegraph, Readers Digest, The British Journal of Photography, Together and Depaul International.

See her work online at www.laurastevens.co.uk

 

WHAT YOUR MONEY WILL HELP TO PAY FOR

I need to raise £3500 for the printing and mounting of artwork to prepare for exhibition. I have 22 images in the series which will be printed at 30”x20” on archival paper by a professional lab in London. All funds will go directly towards covering these costs.

Additional funds

If this project raises more than my stated goal, I will use the extra money to help develop a new series of portraits across Latvia. The time I will spend working on this project will depend on the amount I raise.

 

THE REWARDS

I will be hosting a special weekend event to help support this project. I am inviting couples to come and be photographed by me in a hotel room in Paris, for a unique price of only £100!! You will get a private 1 hour shoot with someone you love (lust/tolerate!) in a beautiful, romantic and very Parisian room, in the same style as the series ‘Us Alone’ (though more amorous, if you so desire!) PLUS an A4 archival signed print from the shoot. This will take place on the weekend of 7-8 July (Saturday + Sunday 12pm-12am)

If you would like to have a photo taken in your own environment, or cannot make this particular weekend, then I can arrange to come to your home in Paris. Also, I will travel to London/Brighton during a specific weekend, which will be arranged after the funding has ended.

If you are not interested in having a portrait taken, but would still like to contribute, there are lots of other rewards available such as postcard sets, or photography workshops… and any contribution is very welcome!

PLUS..all participants who contribute at any level will be sent an invitation to the private view in Riga (although travel and accommodation is not included!). AND.. will be automatically entered in a prize draw to receive a FREE copy of the Us Alone book!

If you have any questions about the rewards, do not hesitate to leave a comment or send a message.

 

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Please help me get the word out!

Even a £1 contribution from a distant and sympathetic supporter will help to make this a reality! After pledging your support, please help to spread the word. Recommend it to friends, associates and organisations by sharing this link through facebook, twitter or email. www.sponsume.com/project/us-alone-exhibition

Stay in touch

Follow the projects progress through “liking” my Facebook page.

Or follow me on twitter.

 

Thanks for your support,

Laura

 

With thanks to the Ermitage Sacre Coeur Hotel