Telephone #5 –  (Zine, 2020)

No.5213

GAJOOB Review by Bryan Baker:

“Telephone #5”, the brainchild of Andrew Shaw and a group of global collaborators, is a fascinating experiment in visual translation. Akin to a game of Telephone, each participant was tasked with interpreting a photograph using their phone’s camera, resulting in a series of images that are as diverse as they are intriguing.

The concept behind “Telephone #5” is truly unique. Drawing parallels between image translation and literary translation, the zine explores the complexities of conveying meaning across different mediums and cultural contexts. Just as a translator must decide what aspects of a text to prioritize, so too must each participant decide what elements of the original photo to capture in their own interpretation.

The images themselves are a testament to the diversity of the participants’ environments and perspectives. From Salt Lake City to Miami, from China to Kauai, each photograph offers a glimpse into the world of its creator. The array of different styles and subjects is a joy to behold, making “Telephone #5” a zine that you can return to again and again.

What makes this project particularly remarkable is the sense of community it fosters. Despite being physically separated, the participants are united by their shared goal of translating the original image. The result is a collection of photographs that feel both personal and universal, capturing the essence of our shared human experience.

“Telephone #5” is a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity.

Media: Zine.

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