I was shocked and amazed by this photo. This photo had the most impact on me. First of all, I never saw a photo so big before! The size surprised me at first since I never saw so many photos displayed in a massive rectangle. However, the frame was the thing that amazed me the most. It is a simple back frame but the color and the simplicity helped me understand the big picture of the photography. It helped me get the “click” in my head. Although people might not think that the frame has a big impact on the photo, ironically, it is very significant. It can influence someone’s interpretation differently like how it affected me.
The frame helps emphasize the mini of the many pictures as well. As I observed the photo from the bottom up, it shows the development of the city, which I see as Manhattan, from my perspective. It shows the process of the land developing into a city. The different windows show the different perspective and angles of different people from the same building. Not all windows show an image of the city though. There are closed curtains and people closing the curtains. I interpreted the curtains as people rejecting the city life or not wanting to see the development. The windows showing the city shows the beauty and the art of the city. Even some curtains show the city a little bit which shows how people can’t reject the beauty of the city. Like the professor said, it does look like a skyscraper which symbolizes manhattan. The way the pictures are put together creates a Manhattan image. The bottom part of the picture creates a Central Park image as well as showing the develop into the city. The water shows the water surrounding Manhattan as well. The pictures gives off the different perspectives of manhattan. I wonder what the photographer felt as he took the picture. Maybe it’s because I’m in New York, I see Manhattan.
What do the rest of you see?
I found it very interesting how you mentioned about the closed curtains representing the rejection of city life and development; I never thought about it that way! When I saw the curtains, I thought they contributed to the beauty of the picture, since each of the curtains were different shades of colors and I actually thought it meant the opposite; how people supported city development by putting up curtains which indicates that they plan to stay in the city and have the opportunity to look out the windows whenever they wanted to.
Karen, your view is absolutely valid. Its something I didn’t think about. Our different impressions are a cool thing about looking at art with other people–we can to experience multiple perspectives. Thanks for sharing!
Susan, I love the way you end your review with a question. The question suggests that you understand the social, or collaborative, aspects of seeing art and deciphering what it means. Nice work! I wonder how the urban images you see in what you’re calling the “mini” photos, can summons a connection to any city, especially since the immediate details don’t readily identify as New York?
@Karen Lau
Wow, I didn’t see that. Thank you for sharing Karen! I could see it from your perspective as well!
@Profeversley
Thank you professor! I guess it was because the only city I’ve been to is New York and I’m very New York centric? Also, the waters reminded me of the waters surrounding Manhattan so that’s how I made the connection and interpreted as from my perspective.