The photography blog of Collective Visual Consciousness
Nactwey has his Pieta, I have my Rockwell...sort of.
I haven't spoken with Jim but I have no doubt when he saw that terrible scene he was immediately struck by it's visual similarity to Michelangelo's work or others like it. When I scanned the crowd of this meeting in Kenya and I saw this man I was immediately reminded of Norman Rockwell's study for "Freedom of Speech". I know my guy should be standing and he shouldn't have his hat on but perhaps that is what he will do. This is the photographic back-story to that famous illustration. Plus, I just had it in my head. The details weren't important. As I looked out and saw that face and that hat, Rockwell's work popped into my mind's eye.
Next thing you know I'm going to be stalking the suburbs for a pre-turkey-dinner shot.
Make pictures.
I haven't spoken with Jim but I have no doubt when he saw that terrible scene he was immediately struck by it's visual similarity to Michelangelo's work or others like it. When I scanned the crowd of this meeting in Kenya and I saw this man I was immediately reminded of Norman Rockwell's study for "Freedom of Speech". I know my guy should be standing and he shouldn't have his hat on but perhaps that is what he will do. This is the photographic back-story to that famous illustration. Plus, I just had it in my head. The details weren't important. As I looked out and saw that face and that hat, Rockwell's work popped into my mind's eye.
Next thing you know I'm going to be stalking the suburbs for a pre-turkey-dinner shot.
Make pictures.
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4 comments:
Hey Clay - not sure if you can if you are working for a client - but when you get back why don't you put together a blurb book for this and let people buy it? You images are always amazing but the series you are posting from this trip and truly amazing and I I would order the book.
Thanks dude - be safe!
Clay,
This work from Africa has been amazing and I've looked forward to your posts as they come up. Even before I saw this image I thought of the images from the depression era and the documentation of that time. Throughout this series I've been reminded of the images Lange, Parks, Albee and others. It seems to me you are documenting a way of life that is tough and hard but has a beauty to it that isn't easily defined. Keep up the great work.
Larry
Hi Clay
You may not remember me but you kinda got me motivated to do something with my photography.
Love the Africa shots. I am especially please to see that your approach is a little different, being African myself it is always annoying to only see images of devastation and conflict. Many thanks
Clay,
when I saw this shot the first image that came to my mind was Dothea Lange image White Angel Breadline, from the New Deal era. I think your image has a stronger visual impact for his starring eyes.
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