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Pati Hill: Beyond the Surface – A Reassessment of Her Xerox photography

Pati Hill, a writer, poet, and artist, is increasingly recognized for her pioneering work with the photocopier in the 1970s and 80s. While her literary contributions were celebrated in her lifetime, her photographic explorations, particularly her use of the IBM Copier II, have undergone a significant reappraisal. This article delves into Hill’s unique approach, her artistic philosophy, and the enduring relevance of her “Xerox photography.”

The Writer Turned Image-Maker

Pati Hill’s journey into visual art was an extension of her literary practice. Born in 1921, she established herself as a writer, publishing novels and poetry that explored themes of perception, memory, and the everyday. However, a chance encounter with the IBM Copier II in the early 1970s sparked a profound shift in her creative focus. She found in the photocopier not merely a tool for reproduction, but a medium capable of transforming and revealing hidden aspects of the world.

A Shift in Perspective

Unlike traditional photography, which relies on light and chemical processes, Hill’s “Xerox photography” operated through direct contact. She placed objects, both mundane and precious, onto the copier’s glass plate, capturing their essence in stark black and white. This process yielded images that were not mere representations, but tangible imprints of reality, imbued with a unique textural quality.

The Mundane Elevated

Hill’s subject matter was deliberately ordinary: shoes, flowers, clothing, household objects, even her own body. She sought to elevate these everyday items, revealing their intrinsic beauty and the subtle narratives they held. By isolating objects and presenting them in a new context, she invited viewers to reconsider their relationship with the familiar.

The Poetics of the Photocopier

Hill’s work transcended the technical limitations of the photocopier, transforming it into a tool for poetic expression. She approached the medium with a writer’s sensibility, imbuing her images with a sense of narrative and metaphor. Her use of repetition, sequencing, and juxtaposition created visual poems that explored themes of time, memory, and the nature of perception.

The Power of Repetition

Hill often created series of images, repeating the same object with slight variations in position or lighting. This repetition, reminiscent of the seriality found in poetry, allowed her to explore the nuances of form and texture, revealing the subtle changes that occurred with each reproduction. It also emphasized the act of copying itself, highlighting the inherent instability and transformation inherent in the process.

Sequencing and Narrative

Hill arranged her images in sequences, creating visual narratives that unfolded across multiple pages. These sequences often lacked a clear beginning or end, inviting viewers to engage with the work in a non-linear fashion. This approach mirrored the fluidity of memory and the fragmented nature of experience, reflecting the themes explored in her writing.

Juxtaposition and Metaphor

Hill’s use of juxtaposition was equally significant. She frequently combined disparate objects, creating unexpected visual relationships that generated new meanings. For example, she might place a delicate flower next to a worn shoe, highlighting the contrast between fragility and resilience. These juxtapositions served as visual metaphors, inviting viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated things.

“Equivalents” and the Pursuit of Essence

Hill’s work can be understood as a search for “equivalents,” a term she borrowed from Alfred Stieglitz. Like Stieglitz, who sought to capture the essence of emotions and ideas through his cloud photographs, Hill aimed to reveal the inner life of objects through the photocopier. She believed that the copier, with its ability to capture the surface texture and form of an object, could reveal its underlying essence.

Beyond Representation

Hill’s “Xerox photographs” were not intended as faithful representations of reality. Instead, they were interpretations, filtered through the unique lens of the photocopier. This process of transformation, she believed, allowed her to capture the “soul” of an object, its unique character and presence.

The Tactile Quality

One of the most striking aspects of Hill’s work is its tactile quality. The copier’s ability to capture the texture of objects resulted in images that invited touch, even though they were flat and two-dimensional. This emphasis on texture underscored the materiality of the objects, reminding viewers of their physical presence in the world.

The Ephemeral and the Eternal

Hill’s work often explored the tension between the ephemeral and the eternal. She captured objects that were inherently transient, such as flowers and clothing, and transformed them into lasting images. This process of preservation, through the act of copying, suggested a desire to hold onto the fleeting moments of life, to capture their essence before they disappeared.

A Reassessment and Rediscovery

For many years, Pati Hill’s “Xerox photography” remained largely overlooked. However, in recent decades, her work has experienced a significant resurgence of interest. This rediscovery is due in part to the growing recognition of her innovative approach and her prescient exploration of themes that resonate with contemporary concerns.

The Legacy of the Photocopier

Hill’s work anticipates the widespread use of digital imaging and the blurring of boundaries between photography and other art forms. Her exploration of the photocopier as a creative tool paved the way for subsequent generations of artists who have embraced the potential of technology to transform and redefine visual culture.

Feminist Perspectives

Hill’s focus on domestic objects and everyday life has also resonated with feminist art historians, who have recognized her work as a significant contribution to the feminist critique of traditional art hierarchies. Her elevation of the mundane and her exploration of personal narratives challenged the dominant narratives of art history.

The Enduring Relevance

In an age of digital saturation, Hill’s work offers a refreshing reminder of the power of simplicity and the beauty of the everyday. Her “Xerox photographs” invite us to slow down, to pay attention to the world around us, and to find beauty in the ordinary. They remind us that even the most mundane objects can hold profound meaning and that the act of seeing is itself a creative act.

Conclusion

Pati Hill’s “Xerox photography” represents a unique and significant contribution to the history of photography. Her innovative use of the photocopier, her poetic approach to image-making, and her exploration of themes that resonate with contemporary concerns have secured her place as a visionary artist. As we continue to grapple with the complexities of visual culture, Hill’s work serves as a reminder of the power of art to transform our perception of the world and to reveal the hidden beauty that surrounds us.

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