WangN+1RA

Week 5: Standards, Representational Trends, and Claims

1RA Draft

=Diane Arbus: Photography=



Albino sword swallower at a carnival, Md; 1970 http://www.masters-of-photography.com/A/arbus/arbus_sword_full.html



A young man with curlers at home on West 20th Street, N.Y.C.; 1966 http://www.masters-of-photography.com/A/arbus/arbus_curlers.html



A family one evening in a nudist camp, PA; 1965 http://www.masters-of-photography.com/A/arbus/arbus_nudist.html

=2/13/2012: CONTEXT=

Photograph #1: The Rhetor: Famous for photographing "circus freaks," Diane Arbus does not fail here with an image of an albino sword-swallower. There is a sense of freedom in this photograph. The sword-swallower has given permission to be shot, and is posing. Arbus sees freedom and empowerment in this subject. The sword-swallower is faceless and it is difficult to tell whether it is a man or a woman. The Text: The albino man/woman is photographed just outside of a circus tent and in front of what looks like a large trailer. The face is thrown back to allow the sword smooth passage down the throat, but the arms are thrown outward. The position seems to emulate flight and freedom, as well as empowerment. Even though the sword-swallower makes a living off being a "circus freak," there is power in how he/she embraces her differences. The Audience: The relationship between the viewer and the sword-swallower is similar to that of the carnival's purpose. The sword-swallower performs, and the audience looks on. The audience sees timelessness and ambiguity, as well as freedom. They see a freak embracing her freakishness with grace and poise.

Photograph #2: The Rhetor: Diane Arbus takes this photograph in the young man's home. It is with his permission. She is able to get close to him to see the details of his face clearly. Arbus wants to show this man in an honest manner. Even though his appearance brands him as a "freak" in society, the fact that she is able to take the photograph with his permission somehow manages to shame the audience for their dislike as well as inspire admiration for his bravery. The Text: The young man with curlers in his hair and long fingernails smokes a cigarette in his own home. This photograph is taken with his permission. He cares little for his appearance; his hair is not done, and his pock-marked skin is clearly visible. There is relaxation and some scorn in his features. At the time, there was little tolerance for homosexuals or transsexuals. If this photograph were taken in public, he might be more uncomfortable, or even afraid. He is bold and does not attempt to cover up his sexuality. He seems to be saying, "I care little for what you think of me. Here I am, like it or not." The Audience: While featured in a museum, a man once spat on this photograph. Reactions were strong and often negative because of the intolerance towards homosexuals and transsexuals at the time. Even now, in a more tolerant society, transsexuals and homosexuals are frowned upon. This young man's stark and bold expression, his lack of concern for his disheveled appearance, baffles the audience.

Photograph #3: The Rhetor: Diane Arbus is also known for taking photographs of nudists and other societal outcasts. Through this image of a nudist family, Arbus wants to convey ease and peace, as well as naturalness. The nudist lay in an open field of grass, with no buildings or other people. It is a quiet scene. On the right side, there is a car, presumably Arbus'. The Text: The family is posed so that no genitalia are showing. The image is not meant to be pornographic. The family lays on grass beside a small road, where a car is parked. It is unclear who owns the car. All three of the members of the family are overweight, but they seem at great ease with each other. The youngest, presumably the son or daughter seems to be wearing shorts or a towel to cover his/her lower half and thus protect his integrity. The mother is wearing sunglasses and none of the family members are smiling. However, they seem perfectly at ease with their nakedness and their surroundings. The Audience: The remoteness of the surroundings and the ease of the nudists could suggest that an audience is really a visitor, as Arbus is as a photographer. Once the audience recovers from the initial shock of seeing a nude family laying on a field, they can begin to see that these "freaks" really are not so different after all. They do not have perfect, supermodel bodies as one would expect from a nude photo shoot. Instead, they are relatively normal looking.

=2/15/2012: METAPHOR, IDENTIFICATION, ETHOS, AND PATHOS=

Photograph #1: __Metaphor:__ The sword is symbolic of power and strength. It is also considered threatening or dangerous because of its purpose. However, in this photograph, the sword-swallower neutralizes the negative connotations of the sword by placing it within her body. At the same time, he/she is ingesting the positive aspects, indicative of empowerment and inner strength. __Identification:__ Many people have experienced being the one left out, separated from other because of their physical appearance. This albino sword-swallower demonstrates comfort with her own "freakishness" showcasing a talent that has nothing to do with her physical appearance. __Ethos and Pathos:__ Is it ethical to exploit this man/woman for his/her "freakish" appearance and talent by playing him/her at a carnival? How does it affect the audience, knowing that this sword-swallower consented to being photographed in this state.

Photograph #2: __Metaphor:__ The cigarette stands for sex appeal and also has negative connotations for its obvious detriment to health. The curlers allude to relaxation and down time, since one would not normally wear curlers outside of the home. __Identification:__ I believe that people are at their most vulnerable and honest inside the comfort of their own home, or in a place of safety and comfort. I identify with this young man because I can always relate to being more of myself in my house. He does not try to hide his pock-marks or arrange his hair more appropriately in this photograph because his confidence is strongest in his home. __Ethos and Pathos:__ Is it ethical or right that this man has to be himself only in the safety of his home? This photograph also appeals emotionally to the audience because of his stark expression of scorn and confidence along with the relaxation. He shames the audience for judging him for his physical appearance.

Photograph #3: __Metaphor:__ The remote location indicates naturalness, peace, serenity, and isolation. The rear end of the vehicle shown on the right side of the photograph suggests that this location cannot be reached by walking--it is far off the beaten trail. The family is wearing no clothes, also indicative of naturalness and ease. __Identification:__ I identify with this photograph because I understand a sense of peace in isolation and remote areas. I also understand the contraints of clothing, both physical and financial. Even though I would not do what these people are doing in this photograph, I understand their desire to be free of unnatural encumbrances. I can also relate with this family because they are ordinary-looking. They are not supermodels laying about in nakedness. __Ethos and Pathos:__ Is it ethical to indulge in this "lifestyle" with a child? Is it ethical to consider these people "freaks" because of their lifestyle choice? This appeals to the audience emotionally because the photograph depicts this family as ordinary folk. They also seem completely at ease with each other. They are not smiling to put on a show because this photograph is about naturalness.