Week 13

This week's readings focused on the writings of Michael Fried and the release of his new book, Why Photography Matters.  Fried identifies two modes of relation between figures in pictures and their spectators.  The first is the "absorptive mode" in which the subject figure of the work is absorbed in their own task and unaware of their surroundings and the presence of the viewers.  One such photography trend and example of this work involves our attachment and focus on our electronic devices.  Andrew Curtis created a series of work titled "Cell" in which the subjects are all focusing on their cell phones.

www.andrewcurtis.com

Another artist who uses this technique is Evan Baden and his series "Illuminati."  This project includes subjects on cell phones, waching tv, and playing video games.

www.evanbaden.com

Both of these series show figures who "appear not to be 'acting out' their world, only 'being in' it."  The subjects are so absorbed in their electronic devices that they seem to be completely unaware of the photographer.  

The second mode that Fried talks about is the "theatrical mode."  In this mode, the figure in the picture is performing for the viewer (and at the time the picture was made- the artist.)  While these two modes seem to be opposites, they are share in common that the act of the subject focusing on something in the image is a performance in itself.