Man Ray: Indestructible Object

Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky) lived from August 27th 1890 to November 18th 1976. He was known for his artwork in photography, painting and film.

I was particularly interested in his piece called Object to be Destroyed. It is a metronome with a picture of an eye on the pendulum. He would tell people that the photograph was of someone who has been loved but is seen no more. The eye in his original version is of his ex, who was also his assistant, muse, and model. This piece of art was stolen when a crowd of students were protesting a Dada exhibition in Paris. After getting the money back from his insurance claim he went on to use the money to buy more metronomes and remake this artwork, re-titling it: Indestructible Object.

I like this piece because it draws attention to something simple, yet inspiring. The eye will always be there, while the rest of the person is no longer with him. I also like that he put the eye on something in motion, making it seem to me like this person will never be dormant in his mind.  I think that the eye represents the memory of this person. To elaborate on that, she loved her, and the thought of her will always be in motion, or never-ending in his mind. I think that that is a beautiful representation of how it feels to go through a break up. I think that it was iconic that it was stolen from him because often times when you're going  through a breakup, you become dramatically upset over it and need a wake up call. The piece being stolen may (unintentionally) represent him being told that he need to get over her. The metronome is known to keep rhythm for music and assists new musicians that may not comprehend rhythm yet. This breakup may have been a new experience for him or may represent new experiences. I think that the concept of the eye on the metronome is a beautiful piece of artistry.

Photography Changes Everything

I think that Marvin Heiferman brings up several valid points about how photography is viewed now that most people have camera phones and social medias to post pictures on. I also think that this essay draws attention to the facts that mundane images can be beautiful too. “Photography resists being shaped by any single set of imperatives or standards.” I agree with this statement not only because any photograph taken falls into the category of “photography,” but also because there can be beauty in anything. A simple photograph taken of something ordinary can mean much more than the viewer may realize initially. The viewer may not notice that a photograph of a flower is taken at a graveyard, or that a picture of a smiling person may be of someone who’s talents are yet to be discovered.  “In my work, I’ve often thought about how to talk about all those other images out there. Not the ones made by photographers and artists, but the less pedigreed ones that play equally important and vital roles in our lives—the photographs that don’t get framed, but which deliver news, sell clothes, get you a date, cause parking tickets to be written, and save lives.” I think that this sentence expresses the value in underappreciated pictures. This is important because most people don’t stop to look at images that are less than extraordinary, which is a habit that I think people should start doing. Even art that is originally not made to be admired, should be. Art is glanced over with the assumption that it is serving its purpose contains unrealized beauty. Overall, I think that this article emphasizes the need to appreciate art in this new digital age.