Gregory Crewdson Beneath the Roses - 1615 Words

Two Rooms, Two Truths â€Å"How are you?†, is a widely used greeting. It is usually one of the the first phrases one learns in any language, such as â€Å"Como està ¡s?† in Spanish and â€Å"Comment allez-vous?† in French. The individual automatically replies with â€Å"Fine†, â€Å"Bien†, or â€Å"Bien†. This question does not require a truthful reply. At times, it is easier to hide the truth and reply that one is fine, rather than to explain or go into detail as to why one feels a certain way. Gregory Crewdson’s â€Å"Untitled† from his Beneath the Roses photography collection introduces this faà §ade of masking personal pain and the eventual unmasking of one’s true feelings. â€Å"Untitled† displays a dimly lit bedroom in a typical home. The light from the blue moon†¦show more content†¦The rosebush’s location on the bed supports the idea that it is replacing a loved one. The rosebush is not located in the middle of the bed, but on the right side of bed, opposite of the pillows. The rosebush is replacing the individual with whom this woman shared the bed, the individual who is no longer in her life. The mirror on the bedroom wall examines the public perception of her private life. Looking only at its reflection, the audience cannot tell the room is in a mess; the rosebush and the dirt trail are not apparent to the audience. In the mirror, only the back of woman’s head is evident. Her face and her emotions are hidden from the mirror. It appears as if she is doing an ordinary task; she could very well be sitting on the bed, reading a book. She turns her back to the mirror and denies it a true reflection. The contrast between the bedroom and living room highlight the differences between public perception and private reality. Living rooms are often used to entertain and socialize guests. When entering a house, guests are often ushered into the living room, where they will then take a seat on the couch, become comfortable, and converse with others. The living room is a public room and open to guests. In contrast, the bedroom is a private room in the house. It is a place of rest in the night and relaxation during the day. It is for private and intimate activities, reserved for its occupant or occupants. Guests are often notShow MoreRelatedCareful Visual Observations Of Photography1578 Words   |  7 PagesCareful visual observations are key when distinguishing masterpieces of photography. The attention to the slightest details and uses of many various techniques are what distance Gregory Crewdson and William Eggleston from the norm. Though it is simple to discuss the contents of a photograph, it takes a trained eye to analyze the true visual art that the picture portrays. Every image by both of these photographs contains a hidden meaning, a variety of thousands of possible interpretations made by