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Creator: Sergio Larrain
Title: Great-Britain. England. London.
Date: 1959
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I was drawn to this image because of the photographer's apparent spontaneity. I get the impression that it wasn't until the birds took flight that the photographer reached for his camera, hoping to capture the moment before it was too late. In this spur of the moment shot, he might have been unable to steady himself or adjust his camera settings before clicking the shutter, as evidenced by the motion blur of the scenery, not just the birds, due to a slow shutter speed and a moving camera. But the lack of focus lends a soft and ghostly quality to the scene, and creates a fantastic sense of unrest.
I was attracted by the energy and movement of this photograph. At first glance the subject appears to be birds in flight. The title "Great Britain" led me to look for details that would be distinct to Great Britain. The symbol of Great Britain is in the foreground. It is quite possible that the location is Trafalgar Square and the base Lord Nelson's column is to the left. There are buildings in the back with flagpoles. It seems to be four children playing and climbing around the statues. There are four lion statues in Trafalgar Square. The photo frame has excluded the head of the lion and the column of Lord Nelson. Symbols of the United Kingdom's Naval supremacy and imperial power throughout the 19th century til WW2. If one were to dismantle the symbols of power, the heads of statues would be disfigured or removed and the monuments dedicated to victors of war would be toppled. The frame executes this. The photo is taken in 1959, post war England. Trafalgar Square is a popular tourist spot, families gather, children play about. Pigeons are universal birds and related to doves, symbols of peace.
ReplyDeleteThe photographer is Chilean. It would be interesting to review more of his works to see similarities in composition, focus, contrast, etc.
Well spotted John!!! The children are indeed playing on one of the Trafalgar Square lions. At the same time it calls to mind images of children playing on heaps of rubble in bomb sites during the war. I agree that there is much more going on here than a quick and interesting snapshot. The framing is a major piece of it.
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