084902/Z/08/Z: PHOTO/ID: Photographers and Scientists Explore Identity

Project Summary:No doubt you're sure about who you are (and you probably have a pretty good idea about your neighbour as well). But how did you arrive at that knowledge about your identity (and hers!). The way in which identity is constructed is a complex process. At one level, how you choose to describe yourself (and others) might combine information about age, gender, appearance, faith, nationality, ethnicity, language, accent, occupation, status, family and where you come from. On another level, how you feel about being 'you' might embrace more complex issues like personality, mood, mental state, illness, and relationships. Some of these factors are genetically influenced while others are probably not. At yet another level, your identity may reside in your name, a driving licence, a passport, a photograph, or genetically related biometric data such as fingerprints, iris scans or even DNA profiles! Can identity really be displaced or lost? Some of these complex issues of personal and social identity will be explored through Photo/ID, a major exhibition in The Forum, in Norwich City centre, throughout August 2009. It will present the work of nine specially commissioned photographers, who will each visually explore the idea of identity, within a context that explores how recent information about our human genome affects how we, and others, will think about and use identity in the future. It will be freely open to the general public, and will be accompanied by a full programme of ancillary educational activities, a book and a website.

Grant Holder:Prof Keith Roberts

Organisation:Norfolk Contemporary Art Society

Financial Year:2007/2008