Michael Hanna

Assemblage

The assemblages contain unedited photography, sea glass, crushed glass, satin, ink, matboard, adhesive, varnish on canvas, and silver aluminum frame. Combines creative writing, photography, and material composure all in single pieces of cohesive works of art. 

Coral and Aquatic Foliage (Unedited Photography)

A collection of unedited photographs taken at Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, Adventure Aquarium (previously known as the New Jersey State Aquarium) in Camden, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. 

Enchanted Chalices (Unedited Photography)

Synopsis on Conceptual Still Life Photographs Containing Wine Glasses, Crushed Glass, Sea Glass, and Satin Fabric:

Conceptually, these works could be interpreted as contemporary mythological chalices. A fountain of youth...but with a catch. Broken glass has connotations with danger, yet the sparkling of the glass and liquid begs the recipient to take a sip...or even a gulp. The mythological drinks are hazardous to drink but simultaneously promise rejuvenation. In essence, I am creating my own sense of fantastical dichotomy between perception and reality.

These photographs are a conceptual scenario of becoming a superhuman. Chalices which are a conceptual commentary on vanity and seeking contemporary mythological glory of self-enhancement akin to replicating Ancient Greek heroes such as Heracles, Achilles, Atalanta, and Perseus.

Film

Various short films capturing aquatic life and shorelines. None of the films have any digital effects or enhancements applied and contain raw footage edited with text and music added. 
Beasts of the Abyss by Michael Hanna
Needless Validation by Michael Hanna
Nihilism of Digital Realms by Michael Hanna

Glowing Coral (Unedited Photography)

This collection specifically reveals photographs of coral and aquatic foliage with glowing and neon qualities. These photographs are unedited and were shot under UV light, which is why they have a blue and purplish tint to them. These enchanted environments may remind the viewer of fantastical stories and films, such as the books of Jules Verne or the film Avatar

Jersey Shore (Unedited Photography)

Various documentary photography studying the texture of ocean water as well as capturing the land areas near these beachfronts. 

Photographic Assemblage

These photographic assemblages are based on original unedited photography and formatted into a montage in Photoshop. Conceptual philosophical and ironic texts then becomes applied to enhance the combination of the images and have the viewer ponder on raw imagery with a deeper purpose. The photographic assemblages are a satire on meme culture, which usually uses low-brow or artificial messaging for instant gratification. Also, the texts in the works have the intentional appearance of being similar to closed captions in a film. By redefining a conceptual approach to incorporating text in visual substance as well as assemblage, the unretouched photography serve as advanced forms of direct communication. Each photographic assemblage is printed in a limited edition of one, so they are all one of a kind. 

Sealife (Unedited Photography)

Arthouse documentary photography of various aquatic life captured across several different aquariums. 

Sensory Experiences (Unedited Photography)

This series of photographs is referred to as Sensory Experiences and focuses on how light, shadow, and texture becomes the focal point of a room or area, instead of just a fixture or accentuation towards another subject. Such an intense focus on the aura of light and atmosphere creates an intimate tension or imagined narrative and induces a sense of mindful awareness. Within the perimeter of the subject, we will find the ordinary and mundane fine-tuned into the extraordinary which can lead to a deeper poetic understanding of found settings. 

Video Stills

All of the video stills have no digital effects, enhancements, or alterations and contain raw footage. Video stills derived from arthouse documentary short films. The films can be described as either film or video, since they blur the line between the formats.