The Methodical Mistake Technique: a technique to decompose reality
Photography’s invention in the 19th century revolutionized art, allowing it to transcend the mimetic representation of reality. Once dismissed as a mechanical tool, photography gradually emerged as a medium for abstract and conceptual exploration. This shift was catalyzed by movements such as Dada, Surrealism, and Metaphysical Art, which emphasized the mental act of creation over manual execution.
Visionaries like Marcel Duchamp and Francis Picabia challenged traditional notions of artistic value, inspiring photography to redefine its language. Pioneers such as Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, and Ansel Adams advanced “straight photography,” emphasizing clarity and tonal precision, while others, like Man Ray and Ugo Mulas, embraced imperfections as an aesthetic choice.
Building on this lineage, the Methodical Mistake technique emerged from a serendipitous error in film winding. By partially overlapping frames, this method fuses multiple moments or realities into a single image, creating dynamic juxtapositions and defamiliarizing familiar subjects. Rooted in Viktor Shklovsky’s theory of Defamiliarization, the technique transforms chance into artistry, offering a fresh lens through which to explore metaphysical dimensions.
In an era dominated by mass photography and artificial intelligence, the Methodical Mistake reclaims the camera as a creative tool. By embracing imperfection and experimentation, this approach invites a deeper reflection on reality, challenging traditional boundaries and reimagining photography as a true art form.
On Becoming A Wolf
On Becoming A Wolf is the first project created using the Methodical Mistake technique, offering a visual exploration of personal growth and the rediscovery of feminine strength. Inspired by the works of Annie Ernaux and Clarissa Pinkola Estés, the series delves into the journey of reclaiming a wild, authentic self long suppressed by societal norms and patriarchal traditions.
The photographs depict an inner world shaped by fears, anxieties, and fragmented realities—distorted landscapes and fleeting moments captured on film. Through this process, the work reveals characters of an unwritten narrative, embodying a feminine essence reconnecting with its primal nature.
At its core, On Becoming A Wolf is both a narrative of liberation and an experiment in relinquishing control. By embracing unpredictability, error, and imperfection, the project reclaims photography as a medium for intimate and intuitive expression. It invites viewers to reflect on the infinite layers of meaning in reality while emphasizing that the truest understanding lies within our inner world.
This body of work is a celebration of autonomy, strength, and the wild spirit of a woman rising from the constraints of history a transformative journey of rediscovery and empowerment.
