Significance of the Photographs Created by T. Simon and J. Riis Essay

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The photographs created by Taryn Simon and Jacob Riis are comparable in their significance for revealing the truth usually concealed from society. The common theme in their art pieces is culture, frequently misinterpreted by the population, whose perceptions are guided by the shared information of dubious origin. Thus, for example, Simon’s works include a picture of a 21-year-old Palestinian woman preparing for hymenoplasty due to expectations posed by the people in place of her residence, and this practice is never discussed publicly (Simon, 2009). In turn, Riis presents a unique perspective on the immorality of the Victorian neighborhoods serving as evidence of erroneous people’s attitudes towards appropriateness (“Analysis of Riis photographs,” n.d.). Both photographs depict the aspects of life that are either hidden from outsiders or neglected due to beliefs in the claims opposing reality. Hence, Simon and Riis have a lot in common as they are focused on dismantling the myths of a cultural nature.

In turn, the statement presented at the beginning of the video appears to be credible since it reflects on the events of which the general public is not aware. For instance, the photos of men convicted for crimes they did not commit contradict the common attitudes toward these individuals as deserving punishment (Simon, 2009). Without examining the actual circumstances of the matter underpinned by such explicit materials, serving as evidence of societal injustice, one can hardly grasp the meaning of this phenomenon. In this case, the phrase “photography threatens fantasy” means that this method of interpreting reality is crucial for learning the truth through visual cues (Simon, 2009). Therefore, I would say that I agree with the photographer’s statement because it clearly identifies the problem of the lack of evidence of this kind leading to the promotion of misconceptions.

References

(n.d.). American Studies at the University of Virginia. Web.

Simon, T. (2009). [Video]. TED. Web.

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