September 15, 2006
Slate on that weird 9/11 photo ::
photos — tagged photos, social conscience and weird
10:00 am
Slate has an article written by the photographer who took that creepy photograph of young hipsters who appeared to be relaxing on the Brooklyn waterfront on 9/11 (the photo is included in the story). The photographer’s commentary particularly piqued my interest:
Four and a half years later, when I was going through my archive to assemble a retrospective exhibition of my work from more than 50 years, the color slide from Brooklyn suddenly seemed to jump at me. Now, distanced from the actual event, the picture seemed strange and surreal. It asked questions but provided no answers.
For me, the photo screamed cynicism, to a degree that was nearly unbearable. The photographer noted that as well. But at the end of it all, we really don’t know at all what was going on—the appearance of not caring could simply be an illusion. Ultimately, I think the photograph reveals one of the great shortcomings of visual media, rather than of people roughly my age.
