In my art history class, we are studying the original piece “Raft of Medusa,” by Gericault. I was excited to find this reproduction by Joel-Peter Witkin, on (Notes on) Politics, theory and Photography.
Here’s a link to his own words on it : http://www.edelmangallery.com/witkin33.htm
Witkin is probally the only artist who’s book we hide from the kids. He’s pretty gruesome, studying his work reminds me of the story of Leontius. With my own internal conflict of whether to look or not. Why would i want to look at some of his creations, seeing some of them as beautiful, is it a moral weakness? a lack of temperance? a war against the appetites, as Plato put it. my philosophy professor would be proud…
