JESSICA HOSMAN photography

Chaos Project

2005–2012

In-camera multiple exposures on 35mm film. After exposing a single image onto each frame, I roll the film back into the canister, reload it into the camera, and expose a new round of images over the same film. After developing the film, I examine every image, hunting for interesting relationships and patterns that might emerge.

Chance, experimentation, and play are my guides. I don't track the individual images I've taken, or try to plan ahead for harmonious compositions. The results are unpredictable but sometimes appear eerily purposeful.

Working this way shifts my role between creator and participant, scientist and subject, magician and archaeologist. I will the images into existence, then search them for treasure. To me they illustrate the chaos of life—the many seemingly unrelated experiences we encounter on our journeys through life, which layer one on top of the other in our memory, to create the rich tapestry that we call our "self."

Black and white multiple exposure image of a head with plants growing horizontally out of one side. Black and white multiple exposure image of a person's body embedded within an ancient Mexican stone wall. Black and white multiple exposure image of two arms and hands extending out of the earth and delicately holding a flower. Black and white multiple exposure image of a face with three eyeballs. Black and white multiple exposure image of textured sparkling water with two arms reaching into the water. Black and white multiple exposure image showing a closeup of the top half of a face. Black and white multiple exposure image of a hand reaching out to push on an old wooden door. Black and white multiple exposure image of a face with closed eyes. Black and white multiple exposure image of sunset over a melting lake. Black and white multiple exposure image of a woman floating on top of textured tree bark. Black and white multiple exposure image of a head and torso overlaid by water ripples. Black and white multiple exposure image of a floating torso protruding from a large deeply shadowed leaf. Black and white multiple exposure image of a rock wall topped with a face looking downward into the stones. Black and white multiple exposure image of two large tree trunks with a headless torso connecting them. Black and white multiple exposure image of a blurred figure looking upward. Black and white multiple exposure image of a blurred figure crawling on hands and knees.