The Judith Howard exhibition showcased many different aspects of 20th century life in the United States of America. Walls decorated with many television screens while clips of what seems to be home movies play in a dark room illuminated by these videos. Many of the videos show the everyday life of these Americans in an intimate way. It feels as if the viewer is partaking in the family sitting around the living room, sorting through old home movies. All of these monitors have one common thread. The videos they show are sharing the identities of the people showcased in these films. There are small nuances in the way that they walk, act, or interact with others. It is a view into their private, mundane lives however, that is what makes it familiar in a sense. As the viewer looks on at these videos, they can find themselves inside of them. They instantly get reminded of their families and how they interact with others, they start questioning their identities and their relationships with the ones closest to them.
There is something special about home movies. It is the vulnerability and intimacy that they have that make it comforting. It captures the true self in a candid way showing all the imperfections that create your identity. Compared to artistic and commercial cinema, these are not planned out of premeditated in any way. This is raw, unfiltered and uncut. There is no room for takes, or repeats, or anything. Those home videos are a moment in time in the life of someone. One film that comes to mind is Russ Meyer’s Home movies 1938-61. It shows a young mother and her child walking through their front garden in what is presumably their home. That scene shows a gentle moment between a parent and child. They are bonding just by simply enjoying the fresh air and nature. That must be a very fond memory that has stuck with that child ever since. For all we know, that could have been a common event in that household, in turn every time they see a garden they think of their parents. That child could have even grown up and bonded with their children the same way the mother did, carrying on that tender moment. Little things like that can shape the way someone feels about certain things and the relationship with those moments, in turn shaping their identity.
Another home video that shapes identity would be the Christian Boys/Clergy c. 1948 by an unidentified filmmaker. This shows family in a separate way than maybe most of the movies. This shows family and relationship not bound by blood, but by their faith and ideals. Many identify themselves with their religion or belief systems. That has been the cause for many groups of people and sometimes even civilization. Many find solace and belonging in religion and in turn they meet others that may be different or the same. People who might not have blood ties can still find a family or companionship through this. That is just another form of bonding with others and the relationships they share. This group of boys must seem very tight nit mainly because of their conformity. However, that is not to be used in a negative context, conformity more as in traditional and ceremonial purposes. Tradition forms bonding and bonding forms culture in turn forming identity.
The final video that comes to mind would be the Lindsley families’ Home movies 1947-55. Simple enough this just shows a group of four young women, presumably sisters,
walking down a neighborhood street. You can see how close they are with each other by how they link arms, smiling and laughing while talking. These are the same bonding moments that happen through every single one of these home movies. This is also very reminiscent of social media in a way. Many feel as if social media is mainly used to take photos centered around one’s egos however, many of those pictures on social media show the tender moments between family and friends. It is no different than these home movies. Sure society has grown more advanced and more self aware of their image but the basis is still there. People still go out and have fun, go to the state fair, amusement parks, and outdoor activities. All of that is just forms of bonding made more prevalent due to technology. The construct of an identity is the relationships you form with the people around you and the activities you do. The best way to form these relationships and in turn identities, is to bond with the ones closest to you.
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