Practices of Looking (chapters 3 & 4)

Continuing the discussion of Sally Mann's photographs of her children, I thought that the issue about the children being nude was ridiculous. How many of our families show off photos of their kids at the beach, and I just thought that the shock value of the photos wasnt really the lack of clothing but the intense look on their faces. The emotion expressed is disurbing, really, because while the peole from their town seem to be happy the kids have this look of intensity, not unhappiness, but a wariness or it seems like they've been through some ordeal. And the positions of her kids in some of the photos really are innapropriate for a child. But then that brings up the question is it really the inappropriatness of the positions, and sexuality exuded; or is it the age at which the children are publicized. In honesty, both. But onto the readings. I thought that one of the arguments to be very interesting, that the emergence of photography allowed for the introduction of impressionism into the art world. And I cant help as I read to ask why the heck are there so many "Guess" ads throught the chapters, there are other companies to focus on! The "reproductions" of artwork discussion made me think about all the copies of art in my room from museums, or the Cassat bag I have, but came to the conclusion the reproductions dont give less meaning to the original object but for me maybe even give it more significance. Because after carrying my "mother and child" bag around for years, finally seeing it in person I found to be a great experience. I completely agree with the idea that the "aura" around an object is given that ambience because of the "time and space" associated with it. The old family photos, thought they're worth nothing and I never knew the relatives, I find to have a special aura attached to them because of the historic events connected to the photos.