"Stalker"~ Bless Daniel
Susan Sontag Reaction: " Photographs are perhaps the most mysterious of all the objects that make up, and thicken, the environment we recognize as modern"
"To photograph is to appropriate the thing photographed"
On Photography by Susan Sontag is one of the most interesting pieces I have read so far. Above are the two quotes I have chosen due them catching my interests but one honorable mention is the when Sontag wrote, "Photographs, which package the world, seem to invite packaging." First and foremost, the current generatoin we live in glorify the action of capturing the moment as it gives people like me and others a sense of marking our stance in history. The previous quote aforementioned coupled with the idea when Sontag mentioned how appropriating the object in question being taken as a photo is the true meaning of taking a photo gives more insight to how our current generation perceive the world. Everything has to be perfect or aesthetically pleasing now In todays world whether it has to conform to society standards or the ideals or close loved ones.
Furthermore, with the first quote that speaks on how photos is one of the most mysterious objects in our modern world is a statement I agree with. Although we can see what is in the photo, we hardly see the emotion of the feelings behind each other we may see on social media. There are a few photos I have from years back that I look back on that gives me chills as I can remember how I felt in that moment whether I was sad but hid it with a stoic demeanor or was hungry but was enjoying myself due to the company I kept.Every photo percieved always has a secret agenda whether its there to entice others, make many jealous or to encourage many to improve in their lives. Sometimes those intentions can be missed which leads on to the mysterious of the photos. Although the intent is important in the now, years from now a future society will question the mysterious and the "why" of the need to take a photo as such.
BOTH CARRIE MAE WEEMS READINGS:
" is on the cover of Morgan Parker’s poetry collection “There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé.” (Speaking of Beyoncé, Weems has been cited as an influence on the videos for “Lemonade.”) Any day now, surely, someone will name a flower after her."_Megan O'Grady
"She was 20, and it was a birthday present from her boyfriend, Raymond, a Marxist and labor organizer."-Megan O" Grady
"how life emanates from the small space we occupy in the world."-Jacqui Palumbo
"Viewers may not be able to see the world outside of the kitchen’s walls, but her characters are trying to navigate it all the same. "- Jacqui Palumbo
The First two quotes are from the article , " How Carrie Mae Weems Rewrote the Rules of Image-Making" ad I have chosen these quotes specifically due to the fact that it gives a sense of hope and awe. Before reading this article, I was unaware of the fact that Weems have even inspired Beyonce, an artist that is still revered today is pretty intriguing to think that a simple photo can inspire a singer to convey their message of their lyrics based through inspiration of a picture. Obviously Carrie Mae Weems is an amazing photographer but man it was awe inspiring just to see how a simple photo with a kitchen table top can get her honor from not only her colleagues but one of the most successful singers of our generation. Furthermore, she was only 20 when she gained the opportunity to take photos through a birthday gift. I am not too far off from that age being 19 years old so hearing that gives me a sense of hope and reassurance that one day if I take the right photo or if I make the right step, I too we have that much honor and respect, not for the glory but for people to be inspired by my own work.
As for the last two quotes, they are from the article, "Revisiting Carrie Mae Weems's Landmark " Kitchen Table Series" and I have chosen these two due to deep meanings. Similarly to the Susan Sontag piece, it has some introspective words that makes you reflect on the world we live in today. I really like quote , "how life emanates from the small space we occupy in the world" as I view many photos taken on social media in this light. I saw many take pictures of spectacular areas but yet we can only see a small glimpse of the whole experience. Viewing Mount Rushmore through a photo is significantly different from actually being there to witness it in person. Additionally , with the last quote written adds to this sentiment as many would view Weems's photo feeling a little claustrophobic as they are only confined to the walls of the kitchen but yet the characters themselves seemingly are trapped too. No matter who takes the photo, we can only see what the artist or the person in question wants to see and us as the viewer cannot change it, whether we want to change the angle or the lighting or who we see in the picture.
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