JP Getty Musuem Essay, Research Paper

The museum that I visited was the J. P. Getty. This museum as a whole is incredible. However, the photography exhibit did catch my eye. The first time that I went to the Getty, the Andy Warhol exhibit was up and I had a great dislike for his work. On the other hand, the exhibit by William Eggleston was awesome. His work on color photography was fantastic. One particular picture group in-titled, “Memphis” was extremely well done. There was a picture of a grill that was on fire, and words cannot describe the picture. The colors that were exhibited from this picture made my eyes fall in love with the work. I gazed at the grill and its flames for the longest time, until my date grabbed me and pointed me to some other works. One thing that intrigued me with this photo is the content and idea. The picture was just a grill the point of view was as if you were standing in front of the grill, the only thing that he did was to find that perfect second to snap the picture. To some people this is just a grill, to others it is a symbolic meaning of life’s ambitions, and it has endless amount of meanings. That is what makes this picture so great, the abyss of thoughts on this one picture leads to a conversation on this one piece and that is what I believe art is all about, if you look at something and there is such significance which leads to a discussion then its purpose was met, and if people just look at something and move on then the picture or piece of art was meaningful only to the artist. Again the second piece that caught my eye is that of Eggleston’s Grreenwood, Mississippi. This picture may just be a dye transfer print, of a light and the ceiling, but this picture to me just draws my attention. This picture taken from the ground most likely with an up point of view towards the light, has also three white cords bringing the focus in the center of the picture were the light is located. To me the meaning of this picture is the symbolic meaning of ideas, and I would put it up in my office when I grow to keep me thinking of new ideas and to never settle on one thought, but to look at as many angles as possible. Also this picture makes me want to turn the light on by pulling the cord and watch to light glow.

Another photographer that I looked at was work done by John Divola. His Zuma series was really, strange. He took the same picture but at different times of the day and each one told a different story. This inspired me and I made an attempt to do this on my final. These pictures of I believe Zuma beach, were very intriguing. I am not to sure about his ideas, but I feel that he is trying to make the viewer part of this picture, and he made me feel as though I was in this room looking out over the ocean and the ruins of this room. It was printed very large almost an 11 by 14, or maybe larger. This allowed I think for the viewer to be a part of this picture.

These pictures at the Getty, were fantastic, there were a lot of pictures that I liked and some that I disliked, however the show was great. Eggleston’s work on color was awesome and words like I said cannot describe his work, I was in ahh for most of the day and could only hope to print this wonderful.