Lumen, My MFA Thesis Exhibition

Lumen: A Game of Photographic Terminology
MFA Thesis Exhibition by Carol Record

Roundhouse Gallery, Jacksonville State University
September 28th-October 20th
Opening Reception: October 1st, 6-8 PM

I did it! I was super nervous about my thesis reception but it turned out great. My thesis installation included a display of my game, informational panels, wall panels featuring cards from the game which viewers were encouraged to interact with by placing stickers on the wall next to their favorites, an instructional video, tables set up for playing the game, and a computer survey set up to collect feedback on players experience with the game.

I wasn’t sure how many people would show up, but I counted 33 in attendance throughout the night which was the perfect number to fill the space comfortably. The crowd was a nice mix of classmates, faculty, family, friends, and a few new faces. A few of my friends surprised me with their presence by driving all the way from Huntsville, AL, and Tennessee. I was, and still am, super flattered they drove so far for my show. It was such a delight to see them and so many other friendly faces that I haven’t seen since before the pandemic began.

People enjoyed interacting with the exhibit and the majority of those that attended had the opportunity to play Lumen. I worried that I might have to pair people up to play the game but everyone grouped up on their own. It was fun and encouraging seeing both friends and strangers interacting with one another in a playful setting, and I received a lot of positive responses to the game. Everyone I spoke with said they really enjoyed it. Many said they’d like to buy it and encouraged me to look into getting it published.

I gave a short talk around 7 PM about the game and my inspiration for it. I was really nervous but I managed to say everything I had planned without falling apart for which I am very thankful. The rest of the reception passed in a blur. A lot of friends lingered so we didn’t break down the reception set up until after 9 PM. It was a really wonderful night and the culmination of a lot of hard work. My only regret is not taking more photos of the reception and with my guests. If I could do the night over again I’d hire someone to document the event for me, but hindsight is 20/20.

Artist Statement

Lumen is designed as a teaching tool for introductory photography students. The tabletop card game format introduces players to professional terminology useful in both critique and discussion, while also encouraging critical thinking, debate, and analysis.

To play, each player is dealt seven photo cards. At the beginning of each round, the judge reads a terminology card and players submit the most appropriate photo card from their hand. The judge then picks a winner and explains the reasoning behind their choice. Players then draw new cards to replenish their hand, and a new judge is selected for the next round. The process continues until a player wins five rounds.

Critique, the assessment and analysis of one’s work, is an essential step in any creative process. When conducted with curiosity, honesty, and respect, critique becomes a rich environment for reflection and growth. However, the critique experience can be a source of high anxiety for new students. From my own teaching observations, I noticed students hesitating to speak, out of fear of embarrassment. While many were unfamiliar with industry terms, students were also unsure of the expectations and objectives of these discussions. This would lead to a breakdown in the critique process, leaving many students feeling confused, ashamed, and dejected. This vicious cycle of insecurity and subsequent withdrawal fueled my desire to create a more effective solution to spark engaging conversations. Lumen fosters a casual, game-based environment with the hopes of reducing student anxiety leading up to class critiques.