american dream 8

Part of a series. Comments welcomed.

Excellent, Congratulations...

In my opinion, this one is the strongest of the serie. I can feel something like the anger of the young girl against the flag. To me this represent the deep feelings of young Americans toward their country. They are close to their flag but in the same time the same flag is restraining them these day, for their own security they say. Because of it, they somewhat would like to take a bite in the flag to get more liberty, which this flag is supposed to represent.

I believe you nailed it.

the ideological umbrella... oh god... let some rain through it!...for god'ssake give me water i said!

Very compelling image. really powerful and tugs at the heart.

Good work.

Sums up alot about the world today and mostly tomorrow. The children will inherit the what is being done today.

...and how interesting to include a child... so symbolic for the only state in the world (apart Somalia) that executes its young offenders...

 

.. a child... the 'perfect' social construct of a promising future, as well as of deviance... in a state which still survives from the last oxygen fumes of democracy... cannibalism and alienation, a clown on the top and thousands at the bottom...

 

there is only one small element missing... religious foundamentalism, a cross with a perfect homo-erotic body on it could have been in the background...

I love the observations on these pieces. My feelings on organized religion and fundamentalist driven tragedies and wars would have to be an entirely different series. So far, all the feedback on these images has been supportive and encouraging. I'm afraid that opening up that religious can of worms might not be so welcomed.

Just some social comments Tiffany... (and nothing really new, as all has been said by several academics)... yes it's true, we might better stay away from a more detailed and rather heated analysis at the moment... nevertheless, as George Orwell said: 'At any given moment, there is a sort of all pervading orthodoxy, a general tacit agreement not to discuss large & uncomfortable facts"... sorry i can not close my eyes, but also thank you for acommodating me here... (i enjoy your work and hope have contributed some stimulus for thought... given how poor the political debate is at the moment, and how sadly people support it and avoid to think, i kinda find your work a natural place to express myself. thanks)

reading comments (like the ones on this series) are just as stimulating as creating the work. And in turn, the work itself can (hopefully) stimulate other artists to create. That's how I got started on this!

I think this is a thought provoking shot. I don't happen to agree with it, but I love the shot because it does make me think. Your ability to translate what's in your head to a photo is inspiring. I for one would LOVE to see your shots concerning religion. It's good to stir the pot. Everything would be so darn bland if someone didn't.

Thanks Tracy...maybe I will do a religious piece or series. Maybe, I can find a model through a born-again Christian agency. They all seemed to have found Jesus....my Jesus would have to be a bit more authentic looking...I might have better luck looking at one of John Ashcroft's hit lists, to find a model who looks like Jesus REALLY did (not blonde haired blue eyed, but more of a desert dweller)

And thank you, ESPECIALLY if you have a different opinion than the one depicted in this series and are still willing to offer an encouragement...that's really cool.

...and don't forget: you don't have to go extreme to find the ultimate religious symbol of contemporary american society, just look at its political agenda since the 'mutual benefit' evangelical alliance with nixon and reagan (oops, didn't they both leave descredited as liars? more followed...)... and listen to its current president's simplified, authentically religious (evangelical) and so perfectly stupid but 'useful' divisions of 'evil' and 'good'... then look around and recognise the rituals, the symbols, the collective effervescence, etc...

It sounds like you might have one or two political/ socio -commentary art pieces up your sleeve, too!

well.. i have few ideas, but wait until Homer gets to be the president... hmm... he already won the poll in 'radio times' here, as the right person for the job... :-)

Tiffany, I left the jokes aside and managed to complete a photo-work relevat to issues I've raised here. I'll be greatful for your critique if you feel like visiting the latest contribution in my portfolio, which will take on board in my futrher exploration of the issue. In any case thank yo for the inspiration!

I simply love this image. It evokes many feeling for me. Nice. really great shot. You have a way of mixing extremes like a visual elixer. Tender and harsh, light and darl spirits. For me this is very powerful. It makes me want ot shot more with children. -- Cheers

Lee

strong work...Impresses!!! Bravo!!!