What is appealing about a personally frightening image? How can you look when it is difficult to accept something culturally? Mapplethorpe challenges those conventions and confronts viewers with technically skilled and perfectly photographed...he seduces the viewer with balanced values and sensual contrasts...
We are intrigued by these kinds of works, images that reflect the underbelly of society...those taboo elements occurring in our society...in the 80's these kinds of images were sexually charged and anti-establishment...the context of this image, a suburban living room, is in contrast to the dress of the couple and the possibility of what could be happening next...this conceptual divide leaves us wanting...searching for closure and reconciliation...an effective formal devise in creating interest in visual intensity...
In an visceral and emotional way, we are chained to these individuals...we want to look away, stare past the couple...but we are captured by the image...compelled to look...
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