Mama was showing me some lovely works by Sally Mann, the artist who followed her childrens’ lives from birth to the present with photography and whose books have always caused a stir, especially recently, both pro and con, with their subject matter.
Some of the children are photographed nude. Some are half-dressed the way children often are who are left to their own couture choices, but what I would really like to do is not get into the yays or nays here, but instead put the link to her article from The New York Times here and see what you think of Ms. Mann’s discussion of her own art.
Frankly, I was fascinated as mama was telling me about her. She and her family lived in a rural setting, no one around, and her kids were brought up to say hello, shake hands, eat their food without complaint or whining or asking for special treatment, write thank-you notes for gifts and visits and sound to me, at least, like three very special kids, compared to what seems to be the norm nowadays.
How they feel about her photography is very important, and in the article it is clear that these are amazing children who can distance themselves from their mother’s work and feel comfortable with how she chronicled their lives in pictures.
But clearly, there are some who viewed Ms Mann’s work as possible stimuli for pedophiles and others who seek gratification at the expense of kids. An officer Ms Mann consulted in depth about this controversy expressed to her his view, which was that people can be turned on by just about anything—shoes, for example—and that there will always be someone out there who distorts any artistic endeavor simply because he/she sees through distorted eyes and perceptions of his/her own making.
Try to read this article if you have time away from snuggling your animals.
Mama and I would love to hear what you think about this courageous and creative woman. And the childrens’ views, now that they are older, are expecially interesting.
I’m off to ponder again, as is my wont, whatever that means.
I think that her photographs are a beautiful & dramatic testimony to childhood. Pure, innocent and they capture seemingly insignificant (if theatrical) little moments wonderfully.
The world has become so fearful, so angry, so determined to find badness. Sally Mann’s account of her art is totally credible.
That blacked out photo of Virginia forces the viewer(unwittingly) into some kind of sleazy, aesthetic hinterland, where the message of the original art is stomped on, deformed, perverted (sic)
It would be a very sad world if art such as Sally Mann’s was sullied into obscurity 🙁
That is a perfect analysis of her article and work and philosophy and thank you so much for your insights!
I remember well having the debate about Sally Mann’s images when I was in art school…and that was 25 years ago!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Noodle and crew
You are a wonderful ‘drawer’ — I saw your kitty drawing and would love to see more of them on your site. Do you have a site with art?
Have your humans adjusted to being home again? Have you forgiven them for leaving?
We’re guessing this post on photography has something to do with your mom being an artist. It is enlightening.
Yes, well, they are pretty nice to me now after all I went through and yes, she is an artist and that book was pure inspiration. For anyone’s way of thinking. She like how they thought even better than how they made art!