The figures articulated in this essay are taken from the photograph Candy Cigarette, taken in the summer of 1989 by Sally Mann. Sally Mann is a controversial figure in the art world who is well known for photographing her three young children in the nude, all when they were under the age of ten. Her images have drawn considerable criticism; one such critic, Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network, wrote, “Selling photographs of children in their nakedness for profit is an exploitation of the parental role and I think it’s wrong” (Wikipedia). Pat Robertson’s harsh criticism was not unique. However, Robertson fails to recognize that Mann’s photography reveals a candid look at the transition from childhood to adulthood, in the sense
…show more content…
To the same extent that Jessie’s pose seems overly mature, Virginia stands openly, and gazes towards her brother on stilts, out of focus in the background of the shot. Moreover, Jessie is aware of the camera, while Virginia seems not to be. Insofar as the cigarette suggests maturity, the line of action suggests that maturity is a force with some direction: in this case, towards Virginia, whose childish features and evident infatuation with play may be replaced by Jessie’s adult-like pose and prop soon enough. As a symbol of adulthood, the cigarette seems to threaten Virginia, however the gradual advance from childhood to adulthood is no less inevitable with or without its presence. In this image, Mann successfully juxtaposes experience and innocence.
Because of Mann’s juxtaposition of images of experience and of innocence, an archetypal analysis brings to the foreground many questions about this image. The central figure’s direct gaze brings to mind questions of the relationships between mother (ie: the photographer, Mann herself) and daughter, between childhood and adulthood, and between artist and viewer. Our understanding of the figure of the mother, although absent from this shot, and our understanding of the relationship between the role of motherhood and the independence of adolescents drive how we come to understand Candy
To the same extent that Jessie’s pose seems overly mature, Virginia stands openly, and gazes towards her brother on stilts, out of focus in the background of the shot. Moreover, Jessie is aware of the camera, while Virginia seems not to be. Insofar as the cigarette suggests maturity, the line of action suggests that maturity is a force with some direction: in this case, towards Virginia, whose childish features and evident infatuation with play may be replaced by Jessie’s adult-like pose and prop soon enough. As a symbol of adulthood, the cigarette seems to threaten Virginia, however the gradual advance from childhood to adulthood is no less inevitable with or without its presence. In this image, Mann successfully juxtaposes experience and innocence.
Because of Mann’s juxtaposition of images of experience and of innocence, an archetypal analysis brings to the foreground many questions about this image. The central figure’s direct gaze brings to mind questions of the relationships between mother (ie: the photographer, Mann herself) and daughter, between childhood and adulthood, and between artist and viewer. Our understanding of the figure of the mother, although absent from this shot, and our understanding of the relationship between the role of motherhood and the independence of adolescents drive how we come to understand Candy