Between March 31, 1979 and October 25, 1997, the day of his death, Livingston took a single picture nearly every day with a Polaroid SX-70 camera. Livingston's work isn't artsy or mind blowing; he's no Nachtwey or La Chapelle. But he had a kickass idea, and never gave up on it for nearly 20 years. Jaime's 6600 polaroids record the life of an every day guy doing every day things, but his slow decay and outlook on life becomes incredibly clear as he approaches his death caused by a brain tumor. The man has been dead for over a decade, but his photographs remain familiar to anyone that views them, as they show a sad but true life. To me, the greatest challenge in photography is to have the ability to allow any viewer to relate to a photograph, and Livingston's 20 year project truly defeated that challenge.
Paul Politis
Politis is clearly a guy that is able to attack any person, landscape, or architectural object, and make it art. Though he has photographed people, it's easy to tell that he enjoys photographing pretty much everything else. I find that nearly all of his work displays a very passive and calming emotion. I particularly enjoy the contrast within the image and the texture he is able to display within his architecture photographs. Politis' photographs of abandoned places are particularly interesting as they maintain a depiction of his constant passive emotion, however, this remains unique to his habit, as many other photographers would approach and document such eerie places by simply grasping the simplest access of a dark and creepy image.
Daido Moriyama
Moriyama is known for his breakdown and challenge of traditional Japanese values in post-war Japan. Moriyama made it his goal to capture the unseen and unappreciated sections of the urban environment in Tokyo, Japan. In one of his projects, he recorded his attempt to show areas of the city being left behind during Japan's industrial advancements. A constant habit of Moriyama's that I have come to grow fond of is his high contrast, grainy, black and white photographs. After checking out a book containing Moriyama's photography, his constant odd-angled shots make him a unique, interesting, and inspiring photographer.
I really like The image you posted by Jaime Livingston. I'm also really glad you provided an explanation to go with the photo. It was really nice knowing the artist's idea behind this image. Even without that explanation though, I find the sheer magnitude of the polaroids, along with the two people to give you an idea of the scale both beautiful and inspiring
ReplyDeleteYamariah Walters: Out of these three photographers I will have to say that the photograph by Paul Politis catches my eye the most. To some it is nothing but a door but to others including me and the photographer it is much more than a door. It may be the gateway to someones heart or the portal to another world. To someone it can be an escape. Once he/she walks through it they are free. Free from abuse, from hate, from torment, or free fom themselves. I am also drawn in by the different texture and how the light is cast. In the midst of the bumpy brick there is the door(portal). It looks so smooth almost heavenly like it was placed there for a reason. Drawing from what i stated above the brick is the outside world, full of pain and sorrow, whereas the door is the escape even if temporary from the outside world.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Alison about Jaime Livingston. Even though the individual pictures might not be masterpieces, the complete work is amazing. Its not often that a person actually goes through with a project of that size. It really is impressive.
ReplyDeleteThis photo is moving because Paul Politis' high contrast imagery really highlights the character of the door. This photo isn't simply about an object, but the life the door has led. I view the wear and tear on the door the same way I would wrinkles or scars on a person.
ReplyDeleteTruly, this object has lived.