Hollywood Asylum Collage

This piece of work forms a series of work that explores the human connection, want and need of institutions and the fine line connecting them all, the starting point being the Hollywood institution. The photographic film stills (Series of 12 images) represent the fine line between each institution and the individuals enrolled, registered, signed up, admitted or enforced there. Being a soldier, prisoner, a hollywood star and a patient. And its impact upon our behaviours, decision making, identity and ability to contribute to society. In the 1930s and 40’s Hollywood was seen as the Golden Age of film stars and glamour. But the darker side to the industry has slowly come to light. As a child star Judy Garland talks about how the film studios demanded she’d take “pep pills” to suppress her appetite and keep up her energy. Then, at the end of each shooting day, the film studios would supply the child stars with sleeping tablets. The medium is intrinsic in nature as it is towards celebrity easily accessible and throw away the inkjet printer.