Alicia Goodman
Gallery Opening Essay
Viewer’s Point of View
Photography
is the best way for artists to let others see subjects as they see them and a
good job is done when the photo speaks to the viewer. As said by Ansel Adams “A
photograph is usually looked at- seldom looked into.” The three pictures that were chosen are all
black and white but they are ones that offer an insight to these photographers'
sense of humor, emotional connection and their viewing of the world around
them. They speak to the viewer in one way or another, “Innocence” conveys the feeling as titled, “Adam Texting Eve” seems to say even biblical characters have to
step into the new century, and finally “Other
Bag” gives a glimpse of the bag many women keep in the back of the closet.
They are three very different photos from three different photographers but
they all seem to portray a meaning that is speaking to the viewer.
I
love the fact that Rachel Hammond titled her photograph “Innocence” because on the surface it is simply a picture of a little boy. Yet after looking into the
boy’s eyes in the photograph you can see what is said in the title and that is
pure innocence. This child has a blank look on his face that seems to say he
has done nothing wrong. His eyes are saying he needs help because there is no
light in them, no sparkle, his eyes hold a certain sadness to them. The slight
downward curve of his mouth resembles a frown but it is not all the way there
yet, like there is still help and hope for him. Maybe his young eyes have seen
things that at his tender young age should not have seen or maybe there is love
and compassion missing from his life. We will never know by looking at just the
surface.
Kristen
Bryant’s photo of “Adam Texting Eve”
is a new age spin on a biblical story. There were no cellphones in biblical
times so to see Adam sitting in the middle of the forest sending a text to the
only woman in the world, at that time, brings a slight smile to my face. When
most people talk about the bible they are usually so serious and there is no
room for humor, yet this picture holds a hint of humor. Upon first glance you
can’t really see Adam sitting among the trees and he looks like he could
possibly be an animal but as you focus on the picture his presence becomes
clear and I think that adds more thinking to the photo. I can see the slight
smile on Adam’s face and it seems to say he is in love and sitting so freely in
the forest without a care in the world. This is a time without care or evil
before the serpent in the bush enticed Eve to taste the forbidden fruit before
the beginning of sin. If everyone could be this carefree the world would be a
much better place.
In
Piere Weber’s “Other Bag” viewers get
a glimpse of a woman’s fun bag, the one that is not carried day to day or to
social functions, but to late night rendezvous with a lover. The whips and
handcuffs bring to mind the love life of a dominatrix or a lady of the night.
This bag could also be the simple black one kept at the back of a housewife’s
closet so that the kids don’t happen upon it. I love the fact that a male
photographer took this photo because women should not be objectified or feel
that it is wrong to have an active sex life. This picture says be who you are
let go of the bondage that says it is wrong to feel or be sexy. There are many
different views that can be taken from this photo. The view that came to me
upon first look is that of a woman who is not afraid to be herself and the
picture reminds me of myself in that sense I have always loved being me and I
am not afraid to express that and I chose this picture because of that personal
connection that I felt to it.
Photographers
have many different ways to show the world as they see it. “Innocence” showed an innocent child, “Adam Texting Eve” showed a humorous more
in this century view of the Bible, and “Other
Bag” gave us a glimpse to a woman’s freedom through a simple black bag. The
three photographers of those photographs showed their view perfectly because
photography is the best way for artists to let others see subjects as they see
them. No two viewers are going to get the exact same view, as long as the photo
speaks to a patron then it is a job well done.
