Anca Mitroi and Edd Myspys are Romania-based photographers who merged to make a body of work titled, Sadness Overload. Mitroi and Myspys capture images separately, but then they come together to pick which frame will be added to the series. This is ongoing series and they might not make new photos for months at a time it all depends on when sadness strikes. So this series is based solely on emotion and when it appears again in their lives individually. Mitroi and Myspys inspiration for this series is their own private mourning--dealing with guilt and betrayal. Mitroi and Myspys always place themselves inside the frame, so it is a self portrait. Though this is not who they are in real life this series is the description of the lingering emotion that follows them "like a shadow". This is look inside the mind of the artist and what they carry with them constantly. The artist say they do not even like to look at these photos because it is a reminder of the sadness. What attracted me to these images is sense of wonder questioning "what is happening?" and that is what makes it attractive. Before even reading the description about these images I didn't think that it was two different photographers capturing them. The third image I chose is my favorite it is so surreal, but creepy at the same time. What I take from that image is that is a mask of who he once was either as a child--carefree! Also, maybe that is where the sadness derives from that particular photo on his face.
Kiefer's technical choices in his work were to document items taken from illegal immigrants by the US border control that were said to be, "non-essential". Displaying the items in a orderly fashion with a background that compliments the object. The images are taken straight on; which I believe shows the details in each item. The collection would sometimes take weeks to make, and a single photo could take hours to capture.El Sueno Americano, or The American Dream by Thomas Kiefer chose to document items confiscated from immigrants trying to seek freedom in American. Kiefer a part-time janitor at the US border control mentioned that these items are deeply valued. These are someones personal items and all that they decided to bring with them. Kiefer strives for people to show empathy and realize how little things like this can be taken for granted. My reaction to Kiefer's series of images really caused me to think about all that I abuse just because it is so accessible. I also chose these certain images because I found it amazing how immigrants trying to come to America for a better life come with just the shirt on their back. Also with just a simple item such as a spoon to eat, or gloves to work. I feel like it really shows the mindset of the people that come to America illegally--they are here to try and work hard, and possibly make a better life for themselves and their families. These are possessions that they will never see again and it was all they had, and for Americans to say that their items of value are not valuable in their eyes speaks to me a lot.
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