International Center of Photography: Susan Meiselas
On that cold, rainy morning I arrived well before anyone else at the ICP. This gave me an opportunity to walk around the facility a little by myself before the rest of the class arrived. The numerous photographs on the first floor were produced by Cornell Capa. As I walked around to get a feel for the artwork, I took a peek down the long staircase. The exhibit downstairs consisted of Susan Meiselas’ works. I knew from the praise given by Professor Roslyn Bernstein, Susan Meiselas was the artist I wished to research and examine.
When the rest of the class and Professor Bernstein arrived, we were advised to choose either Cornell Capa or Susan Meiselas and focus on his or her work. I already had my answer before Professor Bernstein finished giving us instructions. As I walked down the steps leading to Meiselas’ exhibit, I noticed the unique way the pictures were displayed. Some were hung normally on a wall as if in a home or studio, while others were hanging from string in the center of the room. I thought this was an interesting way to display these works of art. I also wondered if Meiselas had any input on how the pictures were set up. Meiselas was best known for her coverage of political conflicts in Central America during the 1970s and 80s. Because of this short biography on the wall, I was expecting to see many pictures of America during these times. I was shocked to see that many of her most interesting pictures were of war in Nicaragua. Some of them were so graphic I was forced to look away. Meiselas truly knows how to shock her audience.
There were a few pictures that stood out to me the most while I examined the Susan Meiselas exhibit at the International Center of Photography. As I previously stated, the pictures Meiselas was able to capture were mind-boggling. I found myself constantly asking, “How did she get so close to the action and danger without getting herself killed?” This was a truly amazing feat.
The first picture that jumped out at me was titled “Sandinista in a home in Estelí.” This picture showed the cultural encounters between Nicaragua and the United States. The photo consisted of a man, worn from war and battle, smoking a cigar underneath a Coca-Cola poster. It seemed as if it was a thought bubble consisting of what the man truly wanted and what he was fighting for. He wanted American freedom.
The second picture that grabbed my attention was titled. “Cuesta del Plomo.” The title roughly translates to “Hill of Lead.” This picture was taken on a hillside outside of Mangua, a well-known site of many assassinations carried out by the National Guard. The irony of this picture is truly amazing. There is a beautiful view from a hilltop along with the burnt lower body of a victim of war. The spine of the victim is not far from the rest of his or her body parts. How can such a beautiful view be the scene of such a terrible and barbaric crime? This is one of the many pictures that show the brutality and devastation that went on during this time.
The third picture that affected me was titled “Sandinistas on daily rounds in Estelí neighborhood Nicaragua, 1978.” This picture was both shocking and disturbing in ways that only viewing it will support. It consisted of a man holding a gun up to a child as if it was a gift from out of town. This reminded me of when a traveling father brings home a gift for a child from a business trip. The scary thing about this picture is that the “gift” in this picture is a gun that causes death and harm to everyone around it. The cultural encounter between America and Nicaragua is evident. Is this what Nicaraguan men brought home to their children?
Susan Meiselas does an excellent job of showing the cultural differences between Nicaragua and America. War has become a part of life in Nicaragua and I am thankful that has not happened to my home country. Her pictures have taught me to appreciate the freedoms I have here in the United States. She has shown the terrible circumstances and outcomes of war. I am very lucky to live in this great country. I also have a new found respect for photographers like Susan Meiselas. They put their lives on the line to capture amazing pictures that teach audiences lessons, such as being thankful for where we live.
