“The Maze”

 

Some amazing photographs by Donovan Wylie, Magnum photographer of NORTHERN IRELAND.

The Maze Prison. 2003.

“The Maze” records and preserves a unique physical structure that has played an important role in our recent history. (source)

In Granata 102 – there are additional pictures by Donovan Wylie, of the dismantling of this prison which are quite amazing. The symbolic meaning behind the tearing down of such a place – a powerful statement.

I wonder what visual records might be able to be made to exist in the public domain to remember the more recent political prisons of our time – right now – with an eye such as Donovan Wylie brings to something like “the Maze”.   Imagine the cultural value of the pictures of Abu Ghraib or of Guantanamo Bay for example – surely there would be value to attempt to record in a more systematic way – but perhaps the time is too soon, the story still unfolding – all too political. Perhaps it is naive to ask, but are we brave enough – secure enough in our beliefs – to withstand such scrutiny?

The Man of the Crowd

   It was well said of a certain German book that ‘es lasst sich nicht lesen’ — it does not permit itself to be read. There are some secrets which do not permit themselves to be told. Men die nightly in their beds, wringing the hands of ghostly confessors, and looking them piteously in the eyes — die with despair of heart and convulsion of throat, on account of the hideousness of mysteries which will not suffer themselvesto be revealed. Now and then, alas, the conscience of man takes up a burthen so heavy in horror that it can be thrown down only into the grave. And thus the essence of all crime is undivulged. – Edgar Allan Poe, (source)

Let it be obvious then, that some good pictures might also be more like some good writing.  It’s no mystery really, but rather the power of observation that matters most in achieving this elusive goal – good pictures that is.

Empty street corner - Night approaching - Matt Niebuhr, 2007

It seems to me that you need not go to the extreme of making up your own version of reality – not withstanding that fact that you can – if you are too impatient. But merely you must practice your own powers to observe what’s happening from multiple viewpoints – and then when the moment occurs – be as ready as you can…  What comes after a picture (or story) – is interpretation – which is the role of the observer – is something you can try to anticipate – but to my mind should never lead the way.