Jessamyn Lovell's project, 'Dear Erin Hart,' is dedicated to the woman who stole her wallet, and subsequently, her identity back in 2011.
When Lovell discovered she had become the victim of identity theft, she decided to pour her rage and resentment into a project that, in some ways, violated Hart's privacy and identity just as much as hers had been. Lovell tracked Hart down upon her release from prison and, as a form of vigilante justice, began to document her comings-and-goings. She describes the project as "touch[ing] on contemporary concerns of surveillance and selfhood within the information age."
To achieve closure, Lovell exhibited the series in the same place she had her wallet stolen: the SF Camerawork Gallery in San Francisco. She hopes to one day deliver Hart a letter, forcing her to acknowledge the person behind the credit card.
Identity Theft Photography
Lovell Confronts Her Robber in 'Dear Erin Hart'
Trend Themes
1. Identity Theft Photography - Opportunity for artists to explore themes of surveillance and identity in the digital age through photography.
2. Vigilante Justice Documentation - Emerging trend of using photography as a form of personal justice and closure.
3. Art Exhibitions as Confrontation - Rise in using art spaces as platforms to confront and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Photography - Artists can leverage identity theft photography to create thought-provoking and socially relevant artistic works.
2. Cybersecurity - Growing market for innovative solutions to combat identity theft and protect personal information online.
3. Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice - Opportunity to explore new ways of documenting and tracking individuals involved in criminal activities through surveillance and photography.