Gregory
Crewdson, “Untitled (Birth)”, from
the series: Beneath the Roses (2007)
Description:
The
photograph shows a house where in the inside, the viewer can see a woman and a
baby on the bed. There is snow on the outside and on the inside the baby is
naked lying on the bed where the woman is sitting and just watching it. There
are no vibrant colours and not so much light in the picture and the environment
it might be said to be ‘cold’
Interpretation:
In relation
to the way Crewdson captured the subject and the general concept of his images,
he stated that “My pictures must first be
beautiful, but that beauty is not enough. I strive to convey an underlying edge
of anxiety, of isolation, of fear”[1].
This picture reflects to the intentions of Crewdson as a viewer can feel the
above feelings. The point of view makes the viewer to feel that he is standing
outside in the cold night where he can see what is happening inside the house
through the window. Why is the woman just sitting and watches a naked baby
which it cannot be said if it is alive or dead.
Evaluation:
In my
opinion this is a beautiful photograph where Crewdson has succeeded in satisfying
his intentions of what a picture should be. As a viewer I can feel anxiety for
many reasons. I don’t know why the baby is lying there naked and why the woman
is so empty with an “impassive look”[2].
Moreover the feeling of anxiety and fear also results from the fact that there is
a mystery in the reason the baby is there and especially because it might be
dead. Just the thought of the assumption that the baby is dead makes me feel
sorry for both the child and the woman. I create scenarios in my head about the
past that this woman might had in order to be in such position. Finally,
Crewdson well chose this concept of low lighting, snowing, and no vibrant
colours as it helps with embracing the dramatic subject.
[1] Between Moments: Gregory Crewdson, Faded
and Blurred, Nicole Rae, <http://fadedandblurred.com/spotlight/gregory-crewdson/>
[2] Why Art Photography? By Lucy Soutter,
Routledge(2013).
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