"Sorority Girl" art exhibit
 

I just read this really interesting article in the local Athens, GA newspaper about a new photography exhibit that opens today. A new art professor at the University of Georgia was unfamiliar with Greek life, so she decided to make it the subject of a series of photographs.

Article:
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2...pes-greek-life

I found this to be the "best" line of the entire article:

Even though she was never Greek, I think Jones understands more than most (from what I can tell from this article and the few pictures I've seen). This entire line kind of sums up the "from the outside looking in, you could never understand it.. from the inside looking out, you could never explain it" thing.

Here is a link to the actual portfolio:

http://www.kellykristinjones.com/#/s...ct/portfolio/1

I agree. To me, it proves that sorority "girls" are just like many others in the same age group. NEWS FLASH!

From the article, I don't think she was going for a unusual insight or beauty. To me, and let's remember that all art is subjective, she was mystified by the entire sorority culture, and decided to see if she could dissect it. Instead of seeing a bunch of beautiful, spoiled girls, she saw the actual women behind the letters. I'd love to see the whole exhibit.

I think that's the point of it. You're Greek, so you understand that we're "just like everyone else." Most people don't understand that.

Ditto. I think my favorite image (of the few I've seen) is the main one that's highlighted in the article. The SK is laying in what normally might be perceived as a "sexy" pose, but she's in shorts, a Sigma Kappa t-shirt, and running shoes. Right above her on the wall is a composite, with all the young women dressed the same. That image alone says a lot, IMO, about perception vs. reality, and how sorority girls can "pull a 180" between recruitment and everything other day of the year.

Yes, art is subjective so there are no right or wrong answers. Personally, I see girls who look sad, lonely, bored and unhappy. I also see subliminal messages in some of the photos.

Take the one of the girl holding the cat. Poor kitty's leash is short and being held so tautly. Does that represent being confined and choked? What about the girl in the gold dress with her hand bent backwards against the wall? Is she pushing away from sorority life -- her expression says she doesn't want to go to whatever she's all dressed up for. And the three "sisters" on the sofa? They look like they'd rather be with anyone but each other.

I would probably benefit greatly from captions.

I saw the expressions more as a push back against the constantly-smiling sorority girl image--and most "neutral" expressions make people look unhappy.

None of these photos evoke much of any emotion. Then again, I'm no expert. I just don't feel anything while looking at them.

What was that picture with the non-opaque tights and leopard undies sitting on a rather ugly bedspread?? I'm sorry, I don't get what that has to do with sorority life. That isn't how sorority girls (or any sane women) dress...girls didn't even walk/lounge around the house like that. I'm just really unimpressed with this. It's mostly pictures of sorority girls wearing normal day clothing and staring blankly at the camera. Also, the girl with the cat on a leash isn't a typical sorority thing either. I've never seen anyone walking their cat around campus, so I'm not sure why she wanted a picture of that.
As someone who goes to this school, in a sorority (not in these pics, thank goodness), I feel like this doesn't represent anything about sorority life at all, and doesn't provide a new insight into anything. It's just some lackluster photographs. The only one I think is decent was the girl in the teal SK shirt.

What some of us have found problematic with the photos is that this is a missed opportunity to show universal themes between NPC and NPHC sororities. At said school, even if the two communities don't mingle, there is some universality to the artist's statement in regard to the "constructed" personalities, for example "pretty girls" and "divas."

But that's secondary to the overall complaint that many of us have had with the exhibit. As others have said above, it really doesn't impress when it comes to technical merit. It seems as though the images were shot either on a point & shoot camera or on the automatic settings of a digital SLR.

In fact, some of the images are vaguely disturbing. Specifically, the image of the young women in the shorts on the sofa, beneath the composite, is reminiscent of the Calvin Klein CK jeans ads of 1995.

It's a cool idea for a project for sure, but I was hoping for something more provocative. The photography is pretty blasé.

I agree completely, this was an enormous missed opportunity. A shame too, since the idea is compelling.

I loved the idea when I read about it but was rather "meh" when I saw the photographs.

One that stood out for me was the one that appears to be a sister or maybe a rushee with her mother. Maybe I liked that because I'm going to have daughters going through rush in the future.

Also, I liked the one that just showed a girl's hands holding her ADPi Badge and guard. I liked that her nails weren't freshly manicured and she had a small scratch on her wrist. Just little things like that make a person seem more "real" to me. Of course, the big, ol' Rolex on her left hand made her seem a little more "out there" but maybe it was her dad's or something.

Also, regarding the girl in the leopard undies and pantyhose. Did anyone notice that she had a snag on the back of the pantyhose? That was kind of endearing to me. I remember during rush my sisters and I would always look as perfect as we could on the outside but at any given time someone had a hidden snag, a sundrass strap that was safety pinned into place or a scuffed shoe that we just colored in with Sharpy pens!

The photographs said to me "sad" and "lonely". Neither of those words would describe the collegiate experience of any sorority woman I've ever met.

I COMPLETELY agree. My sorority experience is definitely not reflected in those photos. It is a VERY interesting concept. And I do feel that in defining the sorority experience, there certainly could be some somber, lonely photos, but they would be 2 or 3 photos out of a 100 photo collection.

Hey all, I'm the photographer.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for looking at my photographs (both online and in person at the LDSOA gallery). I'm still in the very beginning stages of this project... still learning about Sorority life and still learning to capture those truth-telling moments. I'm so sorry that some of you didn't find the work very compelling. I appreciate the critique. So, how can I do better? How can I do you right and better show and understand Sorority Life?

Seriously, I welcome any feedback on this and would be honored if you would share more of your thoughts.

All Best,
Kelly

Kelly, you rock for posting! Kudos to you for tackling a difficult subject, and then asking for critiques. I don't dislike any of them, but they make me feel a little sad. Yes, they are normal, average college girls. But the way they are staged makes them feel so.... isolated. I don't think a single one of us would ever call our Greek experience "isolating."


If I were you, I would ask some of the houses if you could come and take pictures of their daily life at the house, during philanthropy events, during sporting events, etc. Find the girl who is up to her elbows in dirty dishwater (if they exist! Could be unheard of down South! ;) ) Tackle the subject as "sisters." Then tackle the subject of the individuals that make up the sisterhood, much as you already have during Recruitment. At work, at the library, while doing house chores, etc. Tell the girls you will not showcase anything "typical." (The "Sorority Pose" comes to mind, with hands on hips, plastic smiles, etc. I hate that pose.)

Hi Kelly-- so glad you joined us! I am a sorority alum who initiated many years ago and am now mom to a college student. There are many alumnae out here who are still involved with sorority life, perhaps as a chapter adviser or as someone who just helps out behind the scenes during the busy recruitment season. My sorority has played different roles in different seasons of life, but it is always a facet of who I am -- and I still have reunions with many women who were in my pledge class back in the late 1970's! The connection is strong and far-reaching. I am a firm believer of, and witness to, sororities building strong women, equipping them for many challenges and opportunities in life and allowing them to be part of something that is much bigger than themselves.

An article said that you were intrigued after seeing such large numbers of young women pursue sorority recruitment at UGA. Their interest begs the questions: What do they hope to find? Why is this important to them? Who are the women behind the letters on those houses? What has contributed to the strength and longevity of these organizations? What is it about the experience that keeps alumnae interested and involved even decades later? Why do they hope their own daughters and granddaughters will pursue it?

There is an expression about Greek Life that says" "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it; from the inside looking out, you can't explain it." There is some truth to that, but I think I would take photos that try to offer insight into the above questions. IrishLake's suggestion of capturing everyday life is excellent. I would love to see photos of sisters studying together, sharing a meal, expressing emotional support, engaging in conversation, helping with tasks and just relaxing together.

On another note, sororities have causes they support and many raise thousands of dollars annually for charitable organizations. It would be lovely to see photos that express this important element of sorority life. As for events that are strictly social, those also represent part of the experience, so I would include photos of that nature too.

As for the individual sorority woman -- who is she? She is the one hurrying to class with multitudes of other students. She may be studying to become an educator, physician, journalist, social worker or stock broker. She might be in love, dream of travelling abroad, pray for a better world, worry about failing finals, miss her dog back home, work part-time to help pay her dues, enjoy debating politics and social problems and choke up during Hallmark commercials...despite the stereotypes placed on her, she is like so many other young women in her age bracket.

In addition to their own organizations, sorority women are also part of the Panhellenic community. The vision of the National Panhellenic Conference is "Advancing the sorority experience together." Perhaps some photos of different sororities interacting and supporting each other's causes? It would also be neat to see a photo of current undergraduate members interacting with alumnae, showing that women of different generations still wear the same pin -- a shot of different age groups admiring a photo of the founders would be cool.

Well, this is rambling, but just some thoughts. I love your concept and think it's a great opportunity to show the different elements that sorority life embraces. Again, glad you joined us!

It's wonderful that you posted here. The thing I think is missing in your photos is the true small moments of sisterhood we have every day. Sure rush, formals, philanthropy events and stuff make a big show, but it's the other times every day that most of us are in it. It's about being around the tv and acting goofy and funny together because now there are twenty other people who like your show and watch with you and get it. It's having a bunch of people who will go out late at night with you to get froyo because you have to have it now and then you make a side trip to the store and dance in the aisles because it's fun and silly and you're so happy. It's coming home with bad news and having a huge circle of people to wrap you in comfort and love. It's looking across a huge lecture hall and seeing one of your sisters and knowing there will be someone who will understand how ridic the class and professor are and who might be able to help you understand a concept you don't get before the next exam. It's having people to celebrate the good too. It's what you can't explain to those outside and the quick sisterhood moments that you can't capture with a camera. That's why I think it will be hard to get a true perspective of what it is really like. You have to live us to really understand us. Does that make sense?

I agree that the photo subjects appeared sad, lonely and isolated. While anyone can have those feelings at anytime in life (even sorority girls ;-)), those are not the first feelings/experiences that come to mind when I reflect on my collegiate sorority experience. To me, the girls who were the subjects of your photographs might be any college age young woman, unless that was your intention-to show that sorority members are just average people (who do amazing things, except the amazing things were not shown), which is a valid point.

Makes PERFECT sense to me! :) I love this, Old_Row.

7, 1, 3, 2, 5, 8, 6, 4, 9, 5 (same girl), 6 (same girl), 10, 11

Reorganizing my response