The Many Projects of Stephanie Newcomb
Name: Stephanie Newcomb
Where are you from? Where do you live?
I am originally from Costa Rica, born and raised in San Jose. I escaped Costa Rica after I graduated high school and moved to Pittsburgh for college. I traveled a bit while in school and after. I have been living in Los Angeles since –almost- two years ago.
What is your main artistic practice?
I graduated in architecture and continue to pursue a career in the field but it takes a while so I diverge into other side projects. The side projects are usually a combination and intersection between photography, art installation and video work.
What led you to take photos in Costa Rica?
I go back to Costa Rica every year or two. I mainly back to make the obligatory parental visit but in in all seriousness, I am really close to my friends there and it is an amazing place to call home. I take my camera with me everywhere so it’s only natural to do the same when I’m back there. I mostly document my visit there which usually involves a few days around downtown and a couple of weeks around the coast. (This question should really be why did I ever leave Costa Rica). Last time I was there I had recently acquired this really cheap panorama toy camera I’ve been experimenting with. It’s great because it’s really a ‘point and shoot’ and has absolutely no settings to play with but it’s also very light. Also I don’t have to be scared of it being robbed anywhere because it looks like a cheap plastic toy! I went from San Jose to Guanacaste and all the way down to Puerto Jimenez and took it everywhere especially when hiking in the Peninsula de Osa.
I enjoy experimenting a lot with film given the frame limitation, it makes me think more of the moment I want to shoot, especially with really old, expired or discontinued film. I mostly shoot a lot of one vantage point perspectives within landscape. I have a deep fascination with the term of ‘genius loci’ which translated means ‘spirit of place’. The term is often used to describe phenomenological character of a place. Using photography as a medium I usually seek out these types of moments, experiences and compositions as a way to document a place that is obviously limited by time and space especially places and ecosystems as fragile as Costa Rica.
What are you working on next?
Architecture wise I am working on designing a creative office space in Marina Del Rey. (It’s really cool because I’m using a mirrored stainless steel panel that mimics a lot of my fascination with space blankets and reflective materials). Otherwise I’m starting a design book website with my boyfriend where we want to archive all the design books we go through. I am also starting a project with one of my friends in New York that deals with claiming public space. It’s too early to tell what shape these new projects will take but I’m really excited for both of them.
Where can we find your work?
Photo blog: http://onestraightshot.tumblr.
Real website: www.stephanienewcomb.com
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