In the remote farmlands near Buenos Aires, Argentina, Alessandra Sanguinetti produced a series of photographs entitled On the Sixth Day that centered on the symbiotic relationship between the farmers, their animals, and the land. While working on this series she first met Guille and Belinda whose families lived and worked on these farms. The two cousins were ten and nine years old when Sanguinetti began to photograph them. Sanguinetti sought to portray the psychological and physical transformations of these girls as they matured into adults. As opposed to a more traditional documentary narrative of these two girls growing up in this rural environment, Sanguinetti instead focused on the desires and dreams of their active imaginations. Sanguinetti writes, "I have attempted to interpret the ending of their childhood by entering their imaginary spaces. The time when their dreams, fantasies, and fears would fuse seamlessly with real day-to-day life are ending, and the photographs I have made intend to crystallize this rapidly disappearing very personal and free space." The resulting series of images, presented here under the title The Adventures of Guille and Belinda and the Enigmatic Meaning of Their Dreams, represents not only an elaborate collaboration between photographer and subject but an intimate relationship cultivated over a five-year period.
Questions:
- How does this group of photographs differ from the previous two examples, Tina Barney and Richard Billingham?
- What do the photographs of these two girls tell us about the nature of adolescence?
- How do you feel these images match Cotton's ideas (see below) of the relationship of intimacy between the photographer and the subject?
6 comments:
This set of images differ from the other examples through the way light is used and in the visual message delivered by the interaction of characters. In tina's photos, light was shown as a soft, illuminating, but not seen as a direct source. Sanguinetti show's light as it very clearly falls upon the subjects from a specific location that appears intentional for thematic elements. Also the characters have a different outlook on life and seem to be confronting life as oppose to Richard's photos that illustrate the opposite. This observation goes in hand with the idea that adolescense is in many ways (as shown here) almost spiritual in nature. the importance of life and dreams can be, i think, realized in this series.
To be able to capture images that seem to be special to these two individuals shows the connection and trust between the photographer and her subjects. the girls appear comfortable with the presence of the camera. as a result Sanguinetti is able to show us the beauty and selfless nature of these young ladies.
1. How does this group of photographs differ from the previous two examples, Tina Barney and Richard Billingham?
These photos show more of friendship than family. It is a different type of intimacy than the others. It seemed to show a progression of time. They were naught but kids in one picture, and the next showed one of them in a wedding dress.
2. What do the photographs of these two girls tell us about the nature of adolescence?
Adolescence is fleeting. These girls played and were happy through their youth, but it doesnt last forever. Sooner of later, they will split, form their own families and lead separate lives.
3. How do you feel these images match Cotton's ideas (see below) of the relationship of intimacy between the photographer and the subject?
In these pictures, the photographer seemed to be more of an observer than maybe a family member or friend.
Sanguinetti's series of photographs focusing on Guille and Belinda are extremely intimate. I almost feel uncomfortable viewing these photographs. It seems that the artist has captured an aspect of their relationship that is extremely personal; something that otherwise would only have lived in their memories. In some sense the artist has preserved these moments more rigidly than memories allow. The artist subtracts, from these two young ladies, the vague fantastical nature memory grows into over time. In that sense it is unnatural and surreal to me. I do not mention this in a negative manner I just find it a bit awkward because Sanguinetti does it so well. She has encompassed the intimacy of something so intangible as a memory. It's as if she photographed a dream and gave it form.
These photographs also reflect the freedom of adolescence, and a sense of exploration. Viewers recognize the strength in the bond between these two young girls. It's something that's greater than physical attraction, and more solid than love. The way they hold each other and just play is very free of judgment. It’s just these two girls interacting and having fun. The moments are very carefree. Then as they grow there is still a bond between them but it is no longer so imaginative. Their interactions become more formal with the coming of adulthood. Sanguinetti subtly implies a more serious nature with the latter photographs by incorporating darker tones; where as the earlier photos are more vibrant. The series starts off with an almost cobalt blue, then this hue gets dulled down into a gray, which eventually results in black. However the story between these two friends turn out, they will always have their childhood memories, genuinely preserved on a glossy two-dimensional surface.
-Shyma El Sayed
I liked these images. Most of all because I can partly relate with them. Growing up as a girl, you always have this crazy imagination where you would act out these ridiculous stories with your friends. You would dream up crazy things that you wanted to be, give yourself different names, different identities...some of the best memories I have as a child. I was, at least, able to feel an intimate relationship between the photographs, for it brought out these old memories of my own childhood. I think that Sanguinetti did a remarkable job of capturing these ideals in each of these children. She wanted to capture the desires and dreams of their ever rampant imaginations, and she did just that.
This seemed like my final photo project in a way. Kids they do things that can make a great picture. Each girls are fitting with their character. We are capturing a moment of a life time here. You will not see kids doing this later. They all grow up and change. I think what the artist is trying to show is that the characters and personality has a great impact on their life. It shows who those people are and what beauty they hold inside other than what is outside.
Post a Comment