Monday, May 26, 2008

Owls at Noon


There's no-one better than Chris Marker for delving into the maze of what constitutes authenticity and what reveals or obscures intention. This is a found photo, so the intention is all in the selection and the surroundings. Here, we have no surroundings.
I was looking for a picture of happiness (as in the Icelandic girls from 'Sans Soleil') but came upon this, instead.
I don't know whether this face is happy, or anxious. So: it exists on its own terms, cut off from everything, contextless and adrift. Does that diminish its power in any way?
It's about time we started asking these questions again.
Happy Memorial Day.

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