Assignment 3: Museum of Fine Arts Exhibition

Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler
Swiss duo formed 1990
Woman at Entrance
From the series "Arsenal"
2000
Chromogenic print

Woman at the entrance impressed me from the first sight. Initially, I noticed the picture because of its huge size that definitely set it apart from the rest of the photos presented in the section. Another significant and very strong feature of this portrait is colour palette: burgundy red shirt on the woman matches the colour of the furniture on the background. Also, dark green curtains and light blue doors complement the red colour, therefore, making a very eye-pleasing rich colour spectrum. Overall, the picture is extremely horizontal. It is emphasized by the doors, the curtains, the woman and the background, too. The woman stands, leaning on the wall and thinking. She is holding a torch which is also red. Why is she holding it? What is she thinking about? Due to the colour palette, which is predominantly red, the torch and her conceived face I believe that she is investigating something, perhaps betrayal of her lover. In general, the photo is very mystical to me. I feel that it hides a secret from prying eyes.

Nelli Palomäki
Born in Forssa, Finland, in 1981
Aino at 27
2010
Ink-jet print, 1/6

This is a very beautiful portrait of a lady. From first sight, the picture reminded me of the works of really famous Italian painter Caravaggio because of how Nelli Palomäki used the shadows on the shadow. I get the feeling that the woman is being absorbed by the dark shades on the background.
As for the woman depicted, her face expression obviously reveals her strong and independent personality. Overall, considering her posture, her face and her clothing,  I would say that she is a feminist.
The photographer principally works in black-and-white. Thus, she emphasizes a person who is being photographed.