A Question of Authenticity

mickyates Books, Coursework, Critical Research Journal, Critical Theory, ICWeek2, Ideas, Informing Contexts, Photography 1 Comment

In Camera Lucida, Roland Barthes states that ‘From a phenomenological viewpoint, in the photograph, the power of authentication exceeds the power of representation‘. (Camera Lucida: pg 89) In my first review of Camera Lucida, I found the work depressing. Whilst there are important points of great merit (punctum, studium), ultimately I found it an overly-personal and complex exploration of death, especially as …

Las Meninas

mickyates Aesthetics, Art, Collage, Coursework, Critical Research Journal, Figurative, ICWeek2, Ideas, Illustration, Informing Contexts, Photography, Realism, Surrealism 1 Comment

I am intrigued by the way that Velazquez’ Las Meninas has been used as inspiration through the years. The painting itself seems to meet most of Szarkowski‘s five point framework. Whilst clearly not a photograph, there is a realism about the image, reminiscent of a 17th century Dutch Realistic painting. Las Meninas is posed, has great detail yet a rather …