Jeff Wall 3.6m big ones

AnCatDubh

Dead Troops Talk - *only* 3.6m
dimensions 5.5ft x 14ft

from http://www.vancouversun.com/Life/Jeff+Wall+photograph+sells+million+York+auction/6597330/story.html

"It is why they call works like this master works," he said. "It is a powerful piece because it is a reflection on war and the kind of violence we wreak on each other and the absurd humour of these uncanny dead/ undead figures. It is a great story, a great composition. It doesn't surprise me that it would go for an extraordinary amount of money."

Wasn't he featured in the genius of photography? Was he the photographer behind the diner scene in the snow covered town/street?

Here's quite a good selection of crops from the image. Linked to that page is a good resolution of the image.

dazftw

Is it just me or does it really look like a movie still?

I don't know! I don't really get it, if I'll be honest.

pete4130

Just a film set to me. Carries no weight whatsoever.

Borderfox

The walking dead ?

pete4130 wrote: »

Just a film set to me. Carries no weight whatsoever.

Tallon

Am I missing something here? Anyone could have taken that with a P&S

serjical_strike

i think its less about what its shot on or the technical aspect of the image and more about the message Jeff Wall is trying to portray to the viewer about the many aspects of war and how it can affect different people. each individual in the image reacts differently just as society does. war is not a pretty thing and this image to me (while being set up) shows a very chaotic side to war that is interesting. these 'soldiers' were also ambushed and perhaps because we are told this it makes the viewer sympathise with the people within the image more...

as with every image we encounter i think its more of your own experiences and likes that get projected onto it. some will like it and look for meaning others will see just a film set and each opinion is as valid as the last

as to why it sold for 3.6 million... thats another thing.!! :rolleyes:

magicbastarder

Tallon wrote: »

Am I missing something here? Anyone could have taken that with a P&S

but not anyone did.
anyone could have taken 99.9% of bresson's output with a P&S. but not anyone did.

Thin White Duck

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Wasn't he featured in the genius of photography? Was he the photographer behind the diner scene in the snow covered town/street?

He was although the guy you're thinking of is Gregory Crewdson (top middle shot I think is the one you mention):
http://whitecube.com/artists/gregory_crewdson/

IIRC and without watching all of that fantastic documentary again Jeff Wall was featured in it for this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/may/05/photography-jeff-wall-best-shot

Both truly great photographers in my book but bound to raise a few shackles here. If you study their methods, the amount of work that goes into a single image is incredible.

AnCatDubh

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
that's the one alright - thanks.

Rainbowsend

That looks like Blackadder on the far right and he is smiling.