Indre Kupczynski
Floria Sigismondi, Untitled (from her book, Immune)
2005
I chose this diptych because it juxtaposes subjects in a way that almost creates a sense of discomfort to the viewer. Sigismondi draws a parallel between innocence and youth and the chilling reality of war. This creates a strong statement because we have become so used to seeing images of war that society has become largely desensitized to graphic material—however seeing it in a perspective (especially one involving children) reminds one of the harsh reality they have become so used to ignoring. The warm background light over the hills contrasts the cooler light on the masks that creates the hard shadows on the sides of the faces. The slight overexposure of highlight also adds to the harsh soviet aesthetic.
