The Savagery of War
The International Center of Photography’s companion exhibit displaying the works of Gerda Taro and Robert Capa captures the crude reality of our world’s sometimes shocking and controversial events. “Driven as much by political sympathy as by photographic ambition,” their close partnership has truly set the benchmark for capturing war and all its grim details.
Focusing mostly on the Spanish Civil War, Taro conveys the brutal environment in which the war has left many civilians. In one particular photograph titled, “War Orphans seated in a circle, Madrid, 1936/37,” young boys sit with smiles on their thin, dirtied faces and seem unfazed by their misfortune. It looks as if their genuine laughter pushes all of their negative circumstances aside, in order to still have some fun like young children should. “Air Raid Victims in the Morgue, Valencia, May 1937,” is one of her more famous works, which consists of four close-up photographs of killed civilians. One specific photograph that sticks in mind shows three women lying side-by-side on the streets of Valencia. Ironically, the limp body in main focus has her eyes slightly opened with a crooked smile, which makes her appear alive. All produce such a graphic and gory mood, which complements with the grayish color scheme and foreboding shadows.
Now entering “This is War! Robert Capa at Work,” the difference in style and technique is apparent, yet Capa and Taro complement each other very well. Capa confirms his reputation as the most recognized war photographer with his uncanny ability to convey the intensity and raw reality of war. At the epitome of his greatness stands his legendary “The Falling Soldier, 1936.” This photograph has been reprinted continuously because it depicted a soldier’s final moment as he is shot amidst the hazy sky and the dried crop field. Though there is much controversy of whether or not this picture was staged, its message is still powerful and moving. In parallel to this renowned photo, he also approached the infamous D-Day from a variety angles, focus points, and styles. Some of his D-Day pictures focused on the casualties, using sharp focus. In others, the visual was blurred and in-motion, displaying soldiers running from explosions or medics rushing to those in need.
Without doubt, Taro and Capa can withstand the close proximity to the most horrifying and gruesome circumstances. Thanks to them, people all over the world have been able to get a glimpse of our history’s most traumatic events.