[Leica] Re: Diptychs

[lrzeitlin at optonline.net (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

On Sep 28, 2006, at 12:37 PM, George wrote:

> I'm with you Ric. This is one of the strongest bodies of work I've
> seen in a long time. Each portrait would stand on its own as a
> powerful representation of sub culture. The juxtapositions simply
> strengthen the contrast and similarities between sub cultures. And as
> body of work they speak powerfully of our human condition.

I disagree. While the portraits are strong, except for subject matter  
relationships and contrasts, most did not work as diptychs. Diptychs  
should have some form of connecting artistic unity and should enhance  
each other, mirroring shape and composition. Meaningful content  
contrasts are not enough. The diptych should stand as a coherent work  
of art independent of meaning. In this case art is sacrificed for  
social comment. The photos would be better presented as individual  
portraits and let the viewer assign whatever social meaning he will  
in his own mind.

Larry Z