Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Many of Sontag´s views seem to be based upon the impression that photography is an extension of photographic industry and practised by hordes of Japanese tourists. All the best! Raimo photos at http://personal.inet.fi/private/raimo.korhonen - -----Alkuperäinen viesti----- Lähettäjä: Apostolos Mamatas <a_mamatas@hotmail.com> Vastaanottaja: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Päivä: 09. syyskuuta 2000 8:47 Aihe: [Leica] in defence of sontag... >From what I've read, there seem to be at least two major schools of thought >on the Sontag issue. One may either consider a work of art (including >photographs, of course) in the context in which they were made (the >biography of the artist, the conditions under which he/she worked, etc.); or >one may consider the work by itself, in isolation, without knowledge or >interest of what the artist's intent was. Both views have their merits and >shortcomings. Here are a few: In the former view, there is an open >invitation to "photo snobs" (e.g. "she doesn't know shit about >photography/she's only a critic writing for the literati..."). There is, >however, merit in understanding the background of the photo, especially if >it is enlightening to the subject matter (like certain famous war photos or >those with historically significant themes). >The more important view, in my opinion, is the latter. In employing this >perspective, we may be better equiped to view photographs as history will >likely view all things eventually--with dim recognition of the lives of the >participants, and almost none but the most arcane of interests in what >equipment was employed. In brief, taken in its isolated state, a photograph >must speak for itself. It may be worth considering the viewpoints of Sontag >and Barthes, because of the way they illustrate the way photos impart >meaning to the observer. It is far more beautiful to watch a thing grow and >evolve through time (like the the menaing of a photograph), than it is to >sit in the presence of the tyrannical, unchanging "intent" of the artist. >Just because Sontag is not a photographer does not mean she is not human. It >does not mean she lacks a valid perspective. After all, all art needs at >least two people to define it: the artist and the observer. >_________________________________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at >http://profiles.msn.com. >