What’s Going On • Brianna Scott

What’s Going On

Brianna Scott (b. 2003)

Upon seeing this collection by Ansel Adams, I knew immediately I wanted to touch on the feats yet horrors of innovation. What’s Going On is a piece that dives into the complicated nature of machinery and innovation, how it’s a double-edged sword with impossible feats and dangers of unknown. I was first drawn to the lady strapped to that poor chair and all I could think of was her saying “What’s going on?”– hence the title. That started the tumultuous journey of the cost what come with legendary feats of science. This piece takes you through a deceptive journey that will descend into complete chaos by the end. A false sense of security for a time filled with uncertainties and new changes. Like all new discoveries, there are ups and downs that come with it. What’s Going On explores the darker nature of innovation in a sci-fi psychological horror journey.

Images (from left to right): Ansel Adams, UCB.25, October, 1966/2024. Scan from original negative. Collection of the California Museum of Photography at UCR ARTS, 1987.0027.4.UCB.25

Ansel Adams, UCB.27, November, 1966/2024. Scan from original negative. Collection of the California Museum of Photography at UCR ARTS, 1987.0027.4.UCB.27

Ansel Adams, UCB.66.12, December, 1966/2024. Scan from original negative. Collection of the California Museum of Photography at UCR ARTS, 1987.0027.6.UCB.66.12

Ansel Adams, UCSF.2, August, 1964/2024. Scan from original negative. Collection of the California Museum of Photography at UCR ARTS, 1987.0027.4.UCSF.2