Monday, October 12, 2009

Research: Larry Fink – Social graces

Born in Brooklyn in 1941 and studied in NY in the 1960s. Produced in the 1970's, the series provides intimate glimpses of real people and their all-too-fallibly-human lives. But there was a greater purpose in mind; he wanted to explore social class. The series compares two radically different worlds: that of wealthy Manhattans and that of rural, working-class Pennsylvanians. (From nytimes.com)






(i) Peering around a curtain at a birthday party. This is the sort of composition where you want to know what the figure is seeing. Anything could be going on and that is the beauty of it; the air of mystery. The hand is the centre of focus, holding the drape out of the way as he moves through. It really does say very little about the family and surroundings in which they live, but it does grab attention and stimulate imagination.





(ii) This is a very busy composition, with arms and bodies everywhere. This woman is trying to bring out a birthday cake without it being knocked from her and hand ruined. It is clear from the clothes and the quality of the building seen that this is a poor family, trying to the best out of what they have, determined to put on a good party and make sure everyone has fun. It is a snapshot, one moment of many that we all associate with birthdays, the serious preparation behind the frivolities.






(iv) This image is of two young women clearly of higher class. This is clear from the clothes; they are better quality, perfectly clean and the women themselves are perfectly presented, both with alcohol in hand. They share a pleasure that so many have enjoyed, trying to blow the biggest bubblegum bubble. It never ceases to amaze some.




(iv) This image is of two young women clearly of higher class. This is clear from the clothes; they are better quality, perfectly clean and the women themselves are perfectly presented, both with alcohol in hand. They share a pleasure that so many have enjoyed, trying to blow the biggest bubblegum bubble. It never ceases to amaze some.




(v) The delight on this young woman’s face is evident; she is out at a gathering with someone whose company she very much enjoys. The body language shows a clear attraction; the closeness and the placing of their arms. Everyone in the background is getting on with enjoying themselves without a care.

The images collated show a huge distinction between those with and those without. The types of events or gatherings that provide enjoyment do differ, manly to do with upbringing and money available. People without money make the most of parties as they are rare occasions for enjoyment. People with money often have contrasting views on what makes them happy, usually involving spending a lot of money, and being away from their home, somewhere different, somewhere exciting.

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