A harmless bit of satyr? No, really, what do people here think of Joel-Peter Witkin's photographs? Here are ten images from his website and his Love and Redemption exhibition. As he's so respected (in Europe venerated would be a better word) and is obviously a master of composition, the question of the ethical framework of his work is rarely discussed. The reason I'm raising the question here is this request, made on his website. Are your BS detectors quivering or does it seem OK for art's sake and all that?
[Warning: Some of his photographs are truly disturbing and, though not salacious or pornographic, would be difficult to explain at work.]
Posted by at August 26, 2002 08:01 AMNice pictures, but the one up there will definitely prevent me from viewing 9622 at work until it gets pushed further to the right.
Posted by: adampsyche on August 26, 2002 08:19 AMw00t! goatsex!
That is all.
No wait, more : "I am looking for a reasonably attractive blind woman 20 to 40 years old who I can photograph nude. Both her eyes must look totally dysfunctional. ... Will travel anywhere in the world, if need be."
leads me to this, with apologies to Shane McGowan :
A Pair of Brown Eyes
By Shane MacGowan (and StWC)
One summer evening drunk to hell
I stood there nearly lifeless
An old man in the corner sang
Where the water lilies grow
And on the jukebox Johnny sang
About a thing called love
And it's how are you kid and what's your name
And how would you bloody know?
In blood and death 'neath a screaming sky
I lay down on the ground
And the arms and legs of other men
Were scattered all around
Some cursed, some prayed, some prayed then cursed
Then prayed and bled some more
And the only thing that I could see
Was a pair of blind eyes that was looking at me
But when we got back, labeled parts one to three
There was no pair of blind eyes waiting for me
And a rovin' a rovin' a rovin' I'll go
For a pair of blind eyes
I looked at him he looked at me
All I could do was hate him
While Ray and Philomena sang
Of my elusive dream
I saw the streams, the rolling hills
Where his blind eyes were waiting
And I thought about a pair of blind eyes
That waited once for me
So drunk to hell I left the place
Sometimes crawling sometimes walking
A hungry sound came across the breeze
So I gave the walls a talking
And I heard the sounds of long ago
From the old canal
And the birds were whistling in the trees
Where the wind was gently laughing
And a rovin' a rovin' a rovin' I'll go
For a pair of blind eyes
That's what they call a remix, sistas!
Posted by: stavrosthewonderchicken on August 26, 2002 08:48 AMI like how, this early in the morning, it's usually just me, Migs, and stav lurking here, warming the place up for the left coasters. Of course, it's only morning for me, but still.
Posted by: adampsyche on August 26, 2002 08:49 AMWoa. Disturbing but strangely appealing.
Speaking of Shane McGowan, I think I have the same dental plan he does.
Posted by: KevinSkomsvold on August 26, 2002 09:10 AMWhenever I go to this gallery in New Orleans, I always make it a point to ask in a really creepy voice if they have anything by Joel Peter Witkin. When they say no, I look around conspiratorially and say, "What about some Jock Sturges?"
And I'm still probably less creepy than 90% of the people who go in there.
Posted by: ColdChef on August 26, 2002 09:36 AMThe last few times I've been there, though, they have too many Sandy Skoglund photos in there. I mean, I like her photos and everything, but they are HUGE!
Oh, well. At least they change them around a bit.
Posted by: ColdChef on August 26, 2002 09:39 AMForget it, Chef, I've been in that gallery. I asked for rare poker-playing dog daguerreotypes and they looked at me like I was some kinda weirdo. Yeah, well, I know where I won't take my business next time!
Posted by: octobersurprise on August 26, 2002 12:37 PMA note about posting images:
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