Cultural Photographs by Martn Chambi - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The photographic technic was characterized by heavy borrowing from both European and pictorial styles from his era, with time his work gradually drew the attention of local and international critics. His uniqueness is underlined by the empathy and insight with which he took his photos especially when the subjects were native people or/and scenery. His ability to render such emotion into his work was instrumental in shaping his career as he was able, more than any other artist of his time to establish a rapt with the subject. His affinity for culture was one of the main motivations for his taking part in the indigenista movement that had taken root in Cuzco. The movement was dedicated to the affirmation of the rich traditions of the indigenous culture and it constantly tried to create a way through which the tension between the ex post facto and modern culture that characterized his society at the dawn of the 20th century most of which was caused by western incursion. This paper will examine three of his artworks and attempt to describe and discuss the overlying and underlying issue and conflicts within as a means to validate his artistic presence between the retrospective cultures his contemporary cultural social setting.

The first photograph captures a Quechan of a man sitting in the Peruvian wilderness playing the flute. Behind him is an Ilama with a rope tied around its neck with the other end being held by the man on the lap. The environment and the nature of the men and animals existence appears quite Spartan given that he is sitting on the bare ground where a few tufts of grass are growing but there is otherwise no other vegetation. The place is quite rocky and looks barren, it’s probably not good for anything other than grazing. In the background, the skyline is filled by a series of mountains and ranges with a thin sheet of snow. This is juxtaposed against the sunny and dry centrepiece of the photograph. Taking to account that the picture is categorized under cultural art, it would be artistically irresponsible not to take to account the cultural-centric elements which are numerous both in the covert and overt sense.  ...Download file to see next pages Read More