To Capture a Moment: An Interview with Brendan Hogan
Last Thursday I sat down with fellow Husky and appreciator of the humanities, Brendan Hogan. We spent the time reflecting on the human condition conversing over the topics of social media, social justice, how we navigate our dynamic world, and the versatility of art. You’ve probably seen him around campus with a camera in hand giving students impromptu interviews on their lives and experiences on campus. That being his work with Humans of UConn. This Arts and Humanities website is inspired by the iconic Humans of New York photography project designed to connect the public by telling the stories of ordinary people. Brendan is a first year Political Science & Psychology double major in the Honors Learning Community. He’s also a member of UC Run, Pre-Law Society, and HarCo. Above all, he is a young man aspiring to bring positive change to the world through law and photography.
To Brendan, photographs are more than groups of pixels. Each is an opportunity to connect with a moment, a feeling, emotion, or idea, all of which transcend visuality. He is drawn to the ability to capture a memory that would otherwise be lost in time. “The power behind photography is beautiful and devastating,” he says. This power is central to his passion. He aims to change the trend of social media from a vapid wasteland, my words not his, into a more community based hub for all to contribute to. It should be utilized as a way to show and see the world. Members of Humans of UConn do their work to remind others that we’re all in this together and we’re all going through things. “A collection of the amazing students at UConn,” is found as the page description. The effortless beauty of Humans of UConn is its design to walk up to anybody and give them a voice, re-humanizing them as an individual with a story rather than just another face in the crowd. Immediately after our interview, I liked and followed the page on Facebook. If you enjoy heartwarming stories and quirky posts that connect you with your fellow Humans of UConn, I urge you to do the same.
Brendan’s passion is matched only by his drive for change and fear of monotony. He spoke on the “looming thought” of being stuck behind a desk job, unable to explore the world and be otherwise productive. Photography appeals to both the aesthetic and moral nature of Brendan as it is an art which can be used to illuminate important issues in a way that words and numerical data cannot. When I asked if there was a specific moment or photograph that inspired this viewpoint, he recalled a trip to South Africa. While there, his safari tour guide emphasized how climate change will ultimately devastate the wildlife populations. The idea that he could be taking one of the last photographs of a species inspired Brendan’s interest in conservationist photography. For instance, he plans to spend the summer establishing a project for an Idea Grant centered on the synthesis of photography, politics, and conservation on which he would his Honors Thesis. Additionally, he will participate in Honors Across State Border program to volunteer on his time off and hopes to use the art of photography to shed light on their work.
Despite his Political Science major, he does not want to be a politician; at least not in the colloquial sense. He is a realist, not a fabrication of opportunism nor a fashion of statecraft. He wants to change humanity for the better. He wants to improve the image of lawyers. I advised him that it would be better use of his time to hold true to his values and thus change the minds of those he encounters rather than taking on the multifaceted entity that is public opinion. If all the stars align in his favor, Brendan will be rewriting constitutional law and giving back to the community through activist style photography projects.
After spending some time on his goals and aspirations, I asked Brendan how he would describe himself. “Very outgoing, funny at times, adventurous, studious, loud in my opinions and my voice,” he answers, employing some of our favorite adjectives. He prides himself on being willing to have a conversation with anyone and consider their perspective. An underrepresented quality in this day and age where conversations seemed to have regressed into a style of collective monologues. A regression that many, including Brendan and I, would agree has been partly facilitated by the onset of social media.
While neither of us is anti-social media, we both find that the platform’s potential has been reduced to a conglomerate of ego and vanity. “Instagram has become a popularity contest,” he remarks. People seem to only carry about who has the most followers and likes or who will make the top ten page. Even for someone like myself who does not have an Instagram, I see how some people can become obsessed with attaining these forms of validation. Whereas other utilize social media to promote a foundation, movement, or business. Sticking to his values, Brendan combats this by using his personal accounts to post his own captured moments, highlighting the beauty of the world we often fail to appreciate.
After reading this, I hope you take the time to revamp your understanding and use of social media and photography. You might find a new passion or develop a new outlook on the world and your place in it.
Thanks for reading!
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Link to Human of UConn Page: https://www.facebook.com/humansofuconn/
