Publication Date

Spring 5-2-2025

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Labatte,`Jessica

Second Advisor

VanValkenburg, Amanda

Third Advisor

Rizzo, Nina

Degree Name

M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts)

Department

School of Art and Design

Abstract

Danielle Koenig's photographic practice is an exploration of time, memory, aging, and the inevitable transitions of life. Through the use of digital photography, she creates a visual narrative that captures the complexities of these life stages, revealing the universal experiences that tie us all together. Her work explores how time influences our identities, how memory connects us to the past, and how the constant presence of change highlights the fleeting nature of life.

As both an artist and a mother, Danielle's work revolves around the lives of those closest to her—particularly her children—capturing their growth and change while reflecting on my own progression through various life stages. As she observers her children move from childhood to adolescence and beyond, she is faced with the bittersweet reality of change. Each photograph is an attempt to hold onto a moment in time as it slips away, while acknowledging the relentless passage of time. In this process, she is reminded of the fleeting nature of time and confronted with the reality of her own mortality.

The act of photographing her children is not only a way to document their physical changes but also a means to reflect on the emotional journey of motherhood—balancing the desire to preserve moments with the need to let go as they grow. Danielle also looks at generational cycles within her family, considering how memories and experiences are passed down or transformed. As an artist and a mother, the struggle of letting go of her children to let them form their own identities mirrors the challenge of releasing her art into the world. Recognizing that others will form their own perceptions of her children is similar to understanding that once her photographs are shared with the world, they too will be open to interpretation.

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