I comment elsewhere cedricsherwoodap.blogspot.co.uk on my general thoughts about the Visa Pour L'Image but in this blog I wish to comment on a specific exhibition, that of Abir Abdullah.
The media has carried many reports about the tragic deaths in Bangladesh either through uncontrolled fires or building collapse. Many occur in work places where the owners are under contract to produce clothing and other items for some of the World's best known brands. Abdullah's purpose in showing the photographs is to change World opinion and more specifically such well known brands as Walmart, Disney and Nike to pay fair prices so that minimum standards relating to health and safety and workers rights can bring an end to such tragedies.
The most powerful image, for me, was of four men holding at shoulder height a fire hose that is spurting water all over them. The image captures the essence of Abdullah's crusade in that we are shown four non-professional firefighters attempting to assist the professionals. There is a determination and commitment in their expressions and the straining of their bodies that cannot be faulted. Yet the whole thing suggest futility because of the inadequate connection between two parts of the hose. One wonders how much water is actually getting to the seat of the fire. In this photograph we face all those things that are wrong and lead to the deaths of so many.
Although most of the images exhibited have impact one other made me stop and dwell longer because it offers so much information in one single image. The main element is the injured (possibly dead) worker being passed, by hand, down a ladder by firefighters. At the bottom of the ladder we see two 'civilians' looking upwards one reaching out to help. We also glimpse a fireman who has descended the ladder and another civilian who is looking away from what is happening above him. We can speculate why he appears not to be concerned about what is happening or that he is overcome by the tragedy happening before his eyes. We will never know. There is another group of three people almost in the centre of the image who are walking towards something that we cannot see although we catch a glimpse of two people partially hidden by the fireman at the top of the ladder. There are other figures in the background that add to the overall impact of the image.
We also have to consider the position of the photographer. How did he manage to place himself in a position where this image became possible? I would also ask was the composition of the images we see a matter of chance or did the photographer see the composition in his viewfinder and press the button at the right time.
Here we have a very brave and committed photographer who offers a photographic essay in the hope of changing the behaviour of international Corporations. Sadly it would seem that their decisions are solely governed by profit and the response of many has been to take their orders elsewhere in the World devastating the economy of Bangladesh that relies heavily on this type of work.
What is it about some photographers who use their skills to try and change the behaviour of others, usually powerful people or businesses. Is it possible? In my next blog I look at the work of Don McCullin a well known war journalist who came to the conclusion that the answer to this question was No!
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