Derived from personal experience, Ethan was created to blur the line between perception and reality. I have always wanted to be a storyteller, and I believe the importance of narratives, both fictional and non-fictional, lies in their ability to convey history, culture and perspective. Although I consider this installation a fictional narrative—a story beyond the surface of recorded fact—elements of my own character and thought processes are present throughout. Along with my use of text and imagery, the representation of the procedures involved in wet plate collodion photography are intended to characterize Ethan’s behaviors and his perception of himself.  

As fiction relies heavily on truth in order for it to be a successful narrative, photography is dependent on reality in order for it to convey meaning or emotion. This installation represents a trace of truth and reality. It is not necessarily a forum in which the past can be remembered or relived, but rather one where the life of an unfamiliar individual can be created.