Gordon parks created an exhibition of photos about migrant workers. He used his camera to expose the bad things of America such as poverty, racism, and discrimination.
The first piece that stands out to me is Gordon Parks Emerging Man, Harlem, New York 1952. Gelatin silver print, 8 7/16 × 12 7/8″ (21.4 × 32.7 cm). It’s a picture of a man coming out of a manhole cover. The reason why it stands out to me is that maybe this man is on the run and is using manhole covers to escape. It is also a possibility that they may live there since poverty is a big issue. The photo is in black and white and the subject is in the center of the composition. I chose this exhibition because I had designed a poster for it during the grace gallery. Scenes like these where someone may be emerging from a manhole cover are rare shots if it’s not staged. This picture is full of mystery since this man looks wary of the viewer. He doesn’t look comfortable but he does look like he’s been there for a long time and knows how to navigate.
The second piece that stands out to me is Gordon Parks Harlem Gang Wars 1948, Gelatin silver print, 10 15/16 × 10 1/2″ (27.9 × 26.7 cm). It’s a verticle composition of a couple of people fighting on the street. Gordon Parks used his camera to take multiple pictures of what life is like in a neighborhood with gang wars and some publishing agencies took these photos and printed them out. This photo is in black and white as well and it makes me remember that New York used to be a very dangerous place, and it still is. It makes me think that a lot of crime is not talked about as well. People don’t mention the gang activities that happen elsewhere in the school, nor do they look back at the somewhat recent lootings of Manhatten when riots broke loose. Without photographers like Gordon Parks, a lot of truth is buried since people rely on the news and their perspective too much. Photos to me are more of an unbiased thing that allows the viewer to make their own judgments.
Another one that stands out to me is Gordon Parks Untitled, Harlem, New York 1948. Gelatin silver print 10 5/16 × 13 1/4″ (26.2 × 33.7 cm). This one stands out to me because it’s a picture of trash on the streets. On the right side is a trash can that’s full and next to another staircase are two that are full with some litter on the floors. It’s not much different now and then with the trash on the streets. In modern life in New York, there is somewhat less trash depending on what location you are in but it does come across that not everyone cares about the city’s condition. The more trash a neighborhood has it gives off the idea of poverty, filth, and danger to me at least. I feel like an exhibition online is way different than when I visited the poster house for Alphonse Mucha. Seeing things for their real size lets you see all the little things added that you may have missed online unless you zoomed up and stared long at them. However, I do prefer the option of a virtual visit given the circumstance.
• For each of the three artworks you select, be sure to include the name of the artist, the size of the piece, and the medium (oil painting on canvas, bronze sculpture, print etc.). The subject should be discussed also–abstract or representational, etc.
• Color, type, texture, composition should all be discussed
• Discuss why you selected the piece and your response to it. It could be either a positive or negative response.
• You can also discuss how a virtual experience of an exhibit compared to visiting a museum in person and write about whether you felt the virtual tour was effective, providing a rationale for that opinion.
