Musings.

Strangers

Temple

Pt. 2

Pt. 3

Occupy Phily

Outfest

Pt. 2

Pt. 3

Places and Spaces

Anderson Hall

Tyler

Center City

North Philly- Derelict

Near CCP

Abandoned Beer Factory- Northern Liberties

Pt. 2

Northern Liberties

This image is powerful; it is a timeless image that serves as a reminder of American life. A war hero is pictured, presumably fresh home from war as the title connotes. The passion and intimacy of this image is clearly read as the man pulls his lover into himself, nearly knocking her off balance. Her foot and hand are blurred, showing how quickly all of this action took place. The photographer was in the right spot, had he not been there at precisely this moment, this scene and its raw beauty would have already transpired. The wonder of this image is its emotion; this man wanted everyone to see how much he loves his woman; he is kissing her in the middle of the street during a crowded part of the day. There is no hiding his lust. Images taken at this time are uncommon, there was more of a discreetness during such an era. This adds to the novelty and importance of this picture.

Joel Peter Witkin; Las Meninas

This image invites the viewer to a realm where the distinction between reality and fantasy is blurred. The photographer employs many strange elements that invoke a sense of revulsion. A girl with no legs sits atop a cage with nails; a man is sprawled across the floor with cuts on his chest. Various references to other artworks are posted around the room, giving a sort of provenance to this new image. This piece, though sharing the same title as Goya's Las Meninas, has entirely different connotations. Instead of a familial portrait made for royalty, Witkin shows a near freak show. Everything is distorted and grotesque, giving the viewer a reminder that not everything is as it seems. There is a darker side to everything we view at surface level.

Sandy Skoglund; Walking on Eggshells

This image shows two women in a sort of bathroom. These women are the only non-stagnant beings present. The bathroom is untraditional, however, seeing as the floor is created from eggshells. Instead of windows and other items common to such a space, the viewer sees snakes, rabbits, and tiles with strange unidentifiable symbols. The snakes and rabbits, though not real, are positioned in proximity to each other. There appears to be no light source in the room, leaving question as to how such an area is lit. The two women seem content with their surroundings as they interact with prop bathroom fixtures, no item in the space is useable. Broken shells mark the spots where they walked. The path they create is the only space not occupied by the animal sculptures.