Semester B: Discourse Work
Duane Michals is a self-taught American photographer. I came across some of his work last semester and instantly became a fan of his unique and completely originial approach to photography. The way he never limits himself to just photography means he can create pieces of work that are full of emotion. In one of his books, "House I Once Called Home", he goes back to the house he grew up in which is now empty and falling apart. Yet this photo essay is not just about documenting this house, Michals photographs places that match his old family photos and the book is full of handwritten poetry and memories.
What I like about his work is his subject matter and ideas. Through his photographs he questions life and death creating these fascinating images. One in particular I remember is a series of his grandmother called "Death Comes to the Old Lady", in which a dark blurry figure can be seen getting nearer to her within each frame. It maybe a subject most photographers would avoid but Michals confronts it directly. It found it even more remarkable that he had infact used his father as "death". The idea that the younger generation is playing death and closing in on the old makes you think and question it.
Below is an image that reminds of it, although this one shows a young child and his called "The Bogeyman". To me it represents just what Michals is about. It portrays his love of photographing the unusual yet also shows he doesn't take himself too seriously as alot of his images are meant to be seen as comical.
Here are another two of my favourite Duane Michals images. On the left, the use of a double exposure has meant the subject matter has appeared twice in the frame. It also gives it that ghostly feel to it, especially with him being seen in the mirror, like he is looking onto the scene. The silhouette on the right is interesting, and I like the contrast of the black and white and how he appears to be disappearing.
I would suggest looking more at Michals work, and if you can you should watch the section on the "Contacts 2" DVD where he talks about his work.
Image Credits:
1. Livingstone, M. (1997). The Essential Duane Michals. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd
2. Livingstone, M. (1997). The Essential Duane Michals. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd
3. Michals, D. (Unknown). Joseph Cornell. [Online image]. Available at: http://www.pdngallery.com/legends3/michals/art/photos_large/joseph_cornell.jpg (Accessed: 10 May 2008).
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