Katelyn Curtis Weekley Post 4

            

           The Mythical Reality of the Suburbs: Bill Henson’s "1985"

                                                  By: Katelyn Curtis

                                     

                                    

                                   

1) What are the artist’s technical choices?

Henson mostly seeks chiaroscuro throughout his work through underexposing and adjustments to printing to create a sense of sensuality throughout his work. He also chooses to typically show his work in diptychs, triptychs, or other combinations of grouping to have the pictures combined to reflect off one another. Also, most of his pictures are compressed and vertical, which then starts to relate to a more personal involvement in the photos.


2) What are the artist’s conceptual and/or thematic intents?

This Australian contemporary photographer has dived into the life's of adolescents and portraying their struggles of growing up. He explores the sensuality of the youths and the repression of fertility throughout their lives.  Mentioned further in the article , "1985 shows how sameness and suppression result in a degradation of self" which is why he is so close to the individuals in most of the pictures. The viewer is forced into their lives and to see the obstacles they are overcoming.

3) How do you respond to these choices and intents?

Really enjoying the personal compressed photos, especially with the underexposed intent. Its as if all the struggles of being a teen is suffocating the photo. Their faces are filled with uncertainty. It would be even more interesting to see how the groupings are placed and how they relate. The narrative could be completely different every time based on the pairings to the viewer which makes it even more intriguing.