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November 03, 2005
Blanche et Noire (White and Black)
Black and White. United Colors of Benetton. What a powerful picture! In this particular image, in the Practices of Looking book, pg. 264, a black person and a white person are handcuffed to each other. It is intriguing how both are wearing the same outfits and their hands are placed in the same position. Even though there is this linkage, this chain between the two wrists and this linkage, this sameness between dress, there is a definite space between the hands. These handcuffs represent that blacks and whites being forced to come together, to integrate, to mix; but yet, these two groups are still so far apart. There is still a gap. And still, we see that there is no gray. No intermediate color is in the picture. The hands are either black or white, just like life. We tend to see things in black and white, right or wrong. Again, I am reiterating my thoughts in my Crash paper, but I just cannot help noticing the juxtaposition of black and white in every image and yet, in every image I see, these two colors mean something completely different. In the end, I was truly moved by this photo. --Christina
Posted by lcisgancarz at November 3, 2005 10:52 PM
Comments
Christina, I think what you said about the two hands, the black and the white one being forced together is really true. Even though we do live in a mixed society, I agree that the two groups have many many differences and that there still is a gap between the groups. I don't know if the groups will ever be able to be fully "mixed", with absolutely no gaps to seperate them.
Posted by: Katie at November 4, 2005 07:32 PM
The awesome thing is that once you start to see something, you can't un-see it....a paraphrase of Dillard...you become attuned in a new way to new subtleties....
It is great to share your excitement...
Posted by: ellen at November 5, 2005 08:13 AM
I think it is really interesting that the authors of the book placed this ad with the one below it. The second as shows a white male kissing and embracing an estatic black female. Yet, at the same time he has her trapped, framed, she cannot escape from his embrace. I am not exactly sure what to make of this ad. I think that it provokes the same sentiments, of a closeness of the two races, but a closeness that may be false and contrived. Nevertheless, as alluded to in the book, I think that it is really interesting that United Colors of Benetton chose to represent their products and company as such--they certainly took on alot.
Posted by: Brenna at November 6, 2005 05:36 PM