Tampa Photography Blog

One of the reasons I love the new photo exhibition at the Tate Modern in London is that the photos are a wonderful mix of very literal imagery and some that are more suggestive and subtle.

The exhibit titled “Exposed” showcases photographs from various artists that focus on the idea of voyeurism. Some are more subtle like the Harry Callahan photo (1984) of the backside of a woman standing on a street corner. The way it’s shot, it seems as though maybe the photographer is a safe distance behind her, using a long lens and trying to fill the frame with her body.

A more obvious interpretation of the voyeurism theme is seen in Shizuka Yokomizo’s photos from her “Dear Stranger” body of work from 1999. She wrote to strangers asking them to stand in their window at a specific time and date so she could photograph them outside their homes. It sounds creepy to me but apparently enough people did it for her to make a series out of it.

I visited the Tate Modern in London in 2006 while traveling with a dear friend of mine through England and Ireland. I loved the museum and have always held a fascination with modern art. Even if I don’t understand it completely, I’ve always been drawn to it.

Photography exhibits catch my eye first, naturally. Seeing someone else’s work in exhibit form is a special privilege and I don’t take it lightly. I know how much time, effort and talent goes into one show so I’m grateful there are museums out there like the Tate Modern that allow for such artistic freedom.

*Top photo by Harry Callahan; Bottom photo by Shizuka Yokomizo.*