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What is she looking at? – was my first impression when I looked at the Canadian born artists photograph, In front of a nightclub. Looking a little bit closer to the image, I have realized that there are two girls who look interesting. Wait! There is a guy carrying roses too. What is it that creates this intensity?
Over the past three decades, Jeff Walls name could come up when we would talk about stage photography, huge prints, pictorialism, using light box or working with performers.
The paradox to create something from memory but wanting to be objective is what I found interesting in this piece of work.
In front of a nightclub is a mixture of staged and documentary style photography. The angle it was shot at and the carefully choreographed gestures suggest a constructed reality, which is often seen throughout Wall’s work. Although I couldn’t find any aesthetic influence in this particular image (looks almost like a snapshot), after a closer examination I have discovered some, like the (similar) position of the two girls in the right corner (in the original print), or dramatic pose of the man in the pink checked shirt.
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Comparing this image to one of his earliest photographs, the destroyed room (1978) it’s not as obvious that it’s staged. This fact can support the idea of objectivity in this work, however the “pizza slice 93c” sign made me distracted to believe this scenes actual existence.
There are obviously some main characters in this photo. These people are standing out for some reason from the others, which can prove the cinematography aspect of the photograph. The production was huge, as Richard Lacayo (2007) said: “it's an insanely conscientious creation that took weeks of effort, set building, costuming and lighting, all for the purpose of producing a false impression of slice-of-life instantaneousness.” Wall often practises (even using video) with the cast before the shot which makes the production as complex as a movie. That can be a reason why does he produce photos on average 4-5 a year.
But what is the point of this “pointless” (Richard Lacayo) image?
" The everyday, or the commonplace, is the most basic and the richest artistic category. Although it seems familiar, it is always surprising and new…” (Jeff Wall) These are his own words describing his artistic nature. Trying to recreate the “everyday” suggests objectivity, but his subjective vision, that makes the photographs alive.
Large prints have come to dominate the contemporary art scene. In front of a nightclub is a 226x361cm print, which is not unusual from the photographer, who often uses this large format to create a 19th century painting atmosphere to his work. This also to lets the viewer a closer observation of the “real”.
In my opinion this work is a really nicely composed representation of young adolescents around big cities. I haven’t seen anyone even smiling at this photograph. Its lack of joy can be seen as a statement by a 64year old man, on the 20th century party and drug culture. The idea of objectivity and subjectivity can both found here and that is what makes it a complex and meaningful artwork.
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Bibliography
· Arthur Lubow, (2007), The Luminist, available: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/25/magazine/25Wall.t.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5088&en=eb5fb4dde3888ec5&ex=1330059600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss (last access: 2010.oct.31)
· Jan Tumlir ,(2001), The Hole Truth – Jeff Wall – Interview, available: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0268/is_7_39/ai_75761314/ (last access: 2010.oct.31)
· Richard Lacayo, (2007), Up against Jeff Wall, available: http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2007/03/08/up_against_jeff_wall_1/ (last access: 2010.oct.31)
· Melissa Denes, (2005), Picture Perfect, available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2005/oct/15/art (last access: 2010.oct.31)
· KGL Photo Blog, (2007), On reality 6 preview: The Magic of Jeff Wall, available: http://ldesign.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/71/ (last access: 2010.oct.31)
· Contacts.2, (2000). Directed by Jean-Pierre Krief [DVD]. France: Arte France.
· Wall, (2006). In front of a nightclub [online image] available: http://www.grierhorner.com/blog_mar07.html (last access: 2010.oct.31)
· Wall, J., (2009). Jeff Wall The complete edition. London: Phaidon Press Limited
· Galassi, P., (2007). Jeff Wall. New York: The Museum of Modern Art, New York
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