Broken Promises: Internment at Manzanar Photography Book
A four-color printed book that delves into the haunting photographs of Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange, capturing the Japanese internment camp at Manzanar. The primary objective was to create a sophisticated design that not only engaged readers but also challenged them emotionally through the strategic use of imagery, color, and typography.
Time frame: May 25th – June 10th 2021
Media: Printed book
Methodology:
The book serves as a visual narrative of the shattered vows embedded in the Constitution—promises of protection, welfare, and happiness that were regrettably broken during this dark period of history. The front page, adorned with red stripes overlaying an image echoes the red stripes on the American flag.
Color Scheme:
In order to evoke shock over the treatment of American citizens, the book employed a color scheme of red, white, and blue. The color palette aimed to subvert expectations, as these colors typically symbolize freedom rather than captivity, underscoring the undeniable Americanness of the individuals subjected to internment. The deliberate juxtaposition of sentences extracted from the Constitution of the United States of America with quotes detailing the hardships endured during internment was a calculated move to prompt reflection.
In essence, "Broken Promises" is more than a book; it is a design endeavor that confronts historical injustices through a blend of visual elements and textual narratives, compelling the audience to engage with the emotional complexities of this significant chapter in American history.
