Part 5 – Context and Narrative

The research point in the course text referred me to a Youtube clip which is no longer on available, so in answering the questions in the Research Point, I researched his work in other directions.

In an interview with John Southern on Youtube Crewdson said that he tries to create images which are familiar and mysterious at the same time. The images in his series “Twilight” are all of familiar scenes with ordinary people in their ordinary homes, but by using lighting in difference ways, attempts to create an aesthetic beauty in the images. His aim is to create tension between the ordinary and aesthetic beauty. I found this tension the most compelling aspect of the work. The subject in his series “Twilight” and “Cathedral of the Pines” are all ordinary, but there is something mysterious about their expressions. They all seem to be waiting for something to happen.

In the interview Crewdson also said he attempts to “drain” the meaning out of his subjects. There is no expression, and the story is open ended. This creates a psychological dimension to the work.

My main goal when creating images is to tell a story. That story does not necessarily have to have aesthetic beauty. If the images has beauty, that is an additional layer, but not always essential.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jLtNwPB9eY [accesses 09/11/20]

Crewdson’s work is planned in great detail, and he is assisted by many technicians. He says he does not actually hold a camera, but directs the photographer to create an image for him. Although Wall and DiCorcia also stage their images, they are in control of the camera. I cannot see that the processes are the same, so cannot Wall and DiCorcia should not be compared to Crewdson.

From this short clip of the film, which I have not seen before, I thought the overall impression is that the man has money, uses it to his advantage, and is the person from whom everyone wants to gain approval, even though secretly, they may not necessarily like him. He has power. These signs are:

Had an expensively dressed women on his arm, the first time she had been out with him and was bemused by his actions
He left his car with a driver, told his girlfriend parking wastes time
Ignored the queues and went in through a back door and through the kitchen
No one in the kitchen was bothered about him walking through there, as if it was a regular occurrence
Staff on the doors all knew him and he tipped well
A table at the front was immediately set up for him
The men on the next table shook his hand, although the woman seemed a bit put out at being squashed in behind this new table
A bottle of bubbly was given as a present from another customer
His companion asked what he did for a living and he said construction, but changed it to something in the union when she noticed his unblemished hands
Probably not the case as he had more money that a union man might have.
Likely to be dishonest? Conman?

Category: Part 5

Gregory Crewdson

Scene from Goodfellas