Human Being Andrea Modica

May 10 - August 17, 2003

Andrea Modica's photographic series, Human Being, is an exquisite collection of more than 40 platinum photographs made from the more than 100 skulls discovered in a secret graveyard on the grounds of the Colorado Mental Health Institute (Colorado Springs). Discovered in 1993 during ground breaking for an addition to the institution, the skulls were unearthed a century after their burial. Modica read about the discovery and gained approval to photograph the skulls. Working with a cumbersome 8 x 10-inch view camera and printing in the 19th century platinum technique, she photographed each skull, using as a backdrop the cardboard box in which each were placed when they were excavated. Her images are supplemented by forensic anthropologist Michael Hoffman's observations about each specimen. Together, Human Being offers an intriguing inquiry into these forgotten individuals.

Funded in part by the National Advisory Board of the UW Art Museum.

Images:

Top: Andrea Modica, 20:male, 61 years old, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10 inches, 2000, on loan from Edwynn Houk Gallery

Center: Andrea Modica, E14: male, 34 years old, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10 inches, 2000, on loan from Edwynn Houk gallery

Bottom: Andrea Modica, d17: female, 37 years old, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10 inches, 2000, on loan from Edwynn Houk Gallery