Plucked From The News….
It didn’t take long after her wallet had been stolen at SF Camerawork that a photographer there became a victim of identity theft. Along with receiving bills for merchandise she had never purchased, Jessamyn Lovell, was also served with an unwarranted summons to appear in court on theft charges.
So what did Ms. Lovell do? She hired a private investigator to find the person responsible for stealing her identity. The private investigator eventually tracked down the culprit, a woman by the name of Erin Hart. From that point on and for two years Ms. Lovell followed Ms. Hart around and took pictures of her in public places.
Ms. Lovell used her talent and put together a phot project titled, “Dear Erin Hart” which displayed 34 images of her identity thief.
This exhibit was held at SF Camerawork, the same gallery where Ms. Lovell’s wallet had been stolen years before.
An invitation to the event was sent to Ms. Hart.
Do you think that this photographer had the right to do what she did?
~Plucking Of My Heartstrings~ 
Interesting question and in so many ways I love the creativity of the solution. PI tracked her down but was this woman charged or convicted of the crime? Seems to me that if the answer is no, it is walking an ethical line. The desire to take back control in a difficult situation must be strong, but what if you’re wrong and damage someone else getting retribution for yourself?
I thought the same thing myself, what if this was not the right person. I believe that one of the pictures was of Ms.Hart leaving jail after being in court for this situation and others.
This is beautiful! Absolutely, Lovell had every right to mess with Hart’s life like that. Hart had made Lovell’s life hell, and probably figured she’d get away with it. This way, she didn’t. Hart can try to sue Lovell, in Which case Lovell hands all the evidence over to the police. And the people who saw the show know what Hart looks like and where she hangs out, and what she did.
I think it’s a pretty creative way to get back at someone. But everyone has rights and I’m not sure if this photographer did something that could get her in trouble. I hope not!
Yes!!!!
That’s all that needs to be said..lol Thanks Ellen for stopping by!
I think that falls into the “two wrongs don’t make a right” category. The woman should have been charged with theft, yes, but this is akin to stalking. I’d feel uncomfortable going to that exhibition.
I wondered if it could be considered stalking too.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. I think she could have found a different outlet for her anger.
That is one of my favorite quotes! I think it was a creative way to go about things but I am on the fence as to whether or not it was right.
I’ll bet it curtailed Erin Hart’s thieving propensities! I’m sure Hart could have countered with a court suit, but probably didn’t want to call attention to her by anything having to do with the law.
I thought the same thing. I am sure that Hart didn’t want to take a chance of stepping into a courthouse.