The visit to the UNM art museum was enlightening. Thr current exhibit covers technologies and works spanning the full history of photography. The premise behind the selection was that the definition of a masterpiece needs to be redefined periodically. Classic works were displayed amongst similar but unknown photographs. The result is striking.

     As an example, Ansel Adams' classic work "Moonrise over Hernandez, New Mexico" is no less striking than ever. When placed between two other crisp, striking outdoor images of similar size, new questions arise. Why is it so widely recognized as being a masterpiece? Is it twice as good as the others? Ten times as good? or perhaps just a little better? Or is there something about the image that strikes a chord inside that the others lack?

  All in all the exhibit is worthwhile. Just seeing the range of techniques used over the years, and understanding the differences between them would justify a visit. The range and quality of the works is a huge added justification.

I'm a big fan of fun. I'll always choose a comedy over a drama. I like happy endings and good stories. So much of the current content in the world is just too dark and serious for my tastes. This weeks assignment presented 3 different photographers who I found to be too depressing to spend much time pondering. Dwarfs, circus sideshows, human exceptions, alcoholics and overly tattooed people just don't inspire me to comment. I nearly opted to skip the assignment to avoid the experience.


I searched a bit deeper, however, and found this image. It is described by it's photographer, Richard Billingham, as his favorite shot ever. This is good, coming from an artist who has pondered the darker side of his own families issues for years. It depicts his son and his dog in a fleeting moment of recognition and curiosity. The black & white image shows a marvelous symmetry in the main subjects and in the background. The bay window compliments the two subjects, and the two potted plants reinforce the pairing. There is a slight blur from the rapid, spontaneous decision to shoot, but it doesn't detract from the idea captured in this image. 


I'm glad I kept searching, despite my natural bias. This one really is fun. 

This is a great photo by Alec Soth (rhymes with 'both'), titled "Desire to Run Away". I depicts a school bus and a horse out in the middle of a large, relatively barren field. The terrain is much like flat parts of New Mexico and West Texas, but it is not clear where it was taken. The sky, half of the image, is grey and overcast with only patches of light. This image is one of a series he produced over a 5 year period documenting American hermits. These isolated loners have created homes in many rugged, remote settings across the country. This particular one struck me because an old school bus is the classic vehicle for nomadic adventure. A furnished cave just doesn't meet the same need.

To me this represents the splendid isolation of the Western plains. I have criss-crossed the West since the 70's, and just love to be in the wide open spaces between cities. It provides the comforting illusion of freedom in the world. It would be hard to live like this, but the dream of getting away from it all flares up often. Just knowing it is possible helps keep the urges at bay.