A Girl, a photo from Ontario, Central

Photographer's Note

Australian hyperrealist sculptor Ron Mueck's work called "A Girl" has been recently acquired by the National Gallery of Canada. The element of shock is inescapable. Some critics consider his work plain "brainless" and "gory". I, on the other hand, found it fascinating in its oversized display of the rawness of physical life, of birth... both a tremendous wonder and great pain. It was a "memento mori" imagery for me, reminiscent of the wondrous, inescapable facts of our existence, our birth and our death. I was also musing how it was mainly the smallest children that felt drawn to the enormous sculpture, whereas many of the adults were passing by, hardly daring to look...

avene, mpdre, luisafonso, faubry, claire526, bizsu, jusninasirun, bostankorkulugu, kaustubh10, flory, rigoletto, syd1946, pasternak, chpp, pgorod, Dpbours, bach37, atlantida, robiuk, manub, everlasting, marknunnerley, KevRyan, michiels, Mistral, vhemmati, Catli, somkiat, goodwill, kyzer, sergio_leitao7, maloutim, Leo71538, g_panakia, balmikib, bnallama, vishaal, blagov58, fourty heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

fiurenzu (264) 2008-01-30 15:42

c'est vraiment etrange ideologiquement je n'emmenerais pas mes enfants mais j'avous cette forme d'art m'interpelle et me derrange a la fois

Polonaise (5802) 2008-01-30 15:43

it's been a while since the works of this sculptor are circulating internet (usually in form of Power Point Presentation).

Yet... You managed Sasa, to add a bit of freshness and ...Yes... Your impecable photographic skills - to present this 'babe' in a most attractive form.

You just don't tell me that you didn't arrange the scene down there ????

It's unrealistically realistic to be true (:-)))))

Oh, well...
Sasa is Sasa is...

....................
WELCOME BACK SISTER, WHERE YOU BELONG !!!! !!!!!!!!!

************************

avene (12675) 2008-01-30 15:47

hello Sarolta,

this one made me stop everything that I was doing (as majority of the homo sapiens, I was multi-multi-tasking). some artwork, huh? I like a lot that you have added "humorous" as a category, I find it fits perfectly your note and also the content of the shot - the kid does seem much more at ease. but I would add "decisive moment" as well - the photo would be much less impressive had you not waited for the perfect "human element" to come in :) it's just perfect, nothing more to say.
thanks for sharing this shot.

best,
Kristine

httn (203) 2008-01-30 15:55

:-) WoW beautiful

CaptainJack (0) 2008-01-30 15:56

Truly a shot that exudes rawness, brought to 'life' by the fact that the father took the effort to grab his young child out of the stroller and approach for a closer look - no doubt explaining the miracle of life and how the child was once like that. The three elements in play here work so well together, nicely spotted.

mpdre (1611) 2008-01-30 16:02

Hi Sasa!
Nice to see you posting again. How have you been?
Yes, these sculptures are very impacting. They move something inside that provokes strange and sometimes aberrant feelings. It's surprising how something that should look natural (birth) can revolt our feelings in such unexpected way.
The composition is perfect. I think the presence of the father with the little girl/boy looking at the sculpture really adds to the image. The kid seems to be so attracted by the baby giant...
Excellent note.
Bravo!
Andre

pazuelod (21) 2008-01-30 16:23

great prespective. i love it.

andante (7092) 2008-01-30 16:31

I want of be part of the welcome back committee, too. Art to capture art. Great concept.
Cheers,
Enrique

worldcitizen (16226) 2008-01-30 16:44

Hello Sasa,
This is wonderful! I saw a full Ron Mueck exhibit in 2006 and loved every piece. (unfortunately no photos were allowed) :-( This giant baby was actually the first piece displayed, kind of a tease as to what lay ahead inside. Your presentation is fabulous. I like the high POV looking down on the father and baby, with the empty stroller to the side. It seems the stroller might be waiting for the giant baby if only she could fit inside...

claire526 (1267) 2008-01-30 16:49

Hi Sarolta,

I can't believe some people called this magnificent artwork "brainless" when in fact its just the opposite, it screams the wonderful mystery which is birth..life itself, our existence and yes death. Amazing expression on "a girls" face, I have read somewhere that the expression on our face when we are in pain and in ecstacy is the same, and here it shows just that...birth and death.

Great composition, I like the position of the baby carriage, your perspective, and how you showed the size of the sculpture by the man standing closeby and how cute, the big baby and the small baby ;)

Cheers,
Claire

bizsu (1015) 2008-01-30 17:59

Hello Sarolta,
This is a fantastic idea. Interesting image. I was shocked by the sight. An effective picture means it. This is the photographers' work. Very good work. Congratulations.
Best regards, Zsú

jusninasirun (17529) 2008-01-30 19:09

Hello Sarolta,

I was looking at this composition with amazement. The sculpture looks so real making me think that this is HPP. Well captured shot with the man and the baby and of course, the stroller. Simple shot with maximum impact here. Light and shadow very well managed and subject placements are all appropriate.

Well done,
Jusni

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2008-01-30 20:34

First the sculpture, I do not like it. For me, it is pointless.
However, the picture is superbly done with all the elements in the right place. And, as usual, the technical details are extremely well done.
For the welcome back I do agree with “Polonaise”.
Antonio

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2008-01-30 20:41

"the girl" seems to be angry with the doctor who has taken her out into this cruel world...

and yes, this is a powerful shot, well composed and presented... the high pov works well indeed... incredible work as always, magician...

i wannna see you MORE OFTEN around here sasa...

take care...

korkut;)

kaustubh10 (182) 2008-01-30 21:17

Hi Sarlota,

I've never seen anything as this! Quite a concept here for the sculptor to present. I understand you needed something to convey the scale of this sculpture, but the child and the man looking at it add a beautiful effect! I have not seen many newborns in my short life so far, but the scale of the head compared to the rest of the body in babies is quite apparent here!

Well done!
Kaustubh

flory (4848) 2008-01-30 22:52

ooo,Sasa welcome back!incredible details of human body and ..yes,we born crying and this is finished with the death,hm.someone said 'would be more good to born old and to die children'.it is a great pain.but if wouldn't exist that pain,then we will sleep all the time...;)
well chosen the elements for size.
take care by you,
Flori;)

pittdesign (288) 2008-01-30 23:22 [Comment]

Show Comment

AmiBe (6042) 2008-01-30 23:42

Hi Sasa,
oh my God, very impressive !
You have waited the perfect moment when a father comes with his little baby to catch this artwork.
The scene is very strange... It's so realistic !
Welcome back

jasmis (58653) 2008-01-31 0:20

Great impressive presentation. Really outstanding photo. Perfect composition. Stunning, no doubt.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards.

ninaL (21348) 2008-01-31 0:23

Hi, Sarolta.

First of all, glad to see you back on TE.

Impressive sculpture, impressive high POV and composition.

Best regards. Grazyna.

rigoletto (34279) 2008-01-31 0:27

Hi Sasa, how are you?
You have found a very good POV to completely capture this giant babe, and the father-daughter dwarfed next to her. Because generally this sculptor's works are only captured as fragments and with people's astonished faces. Now we can see all the Lilliputean weirdness, as such a moment should actually have. It was a good idea to wait for some figures, and you also are very lucky to have such a well fitting result.
Best,
Deniz

leo61 (0) 2008-01-31 0:46

Hi Sarolta!
A great piece of art,both,the sculpture and your composition.
Regards,Leo

syd1946 (1167) 2008-01-31 1:45

Hello Sasa,
Very impressive artwork and so nice captured from the high point.The father and his child were there at the right moment to give the opportunity for this shot.Just great!

many wishes,
Thomas

faubry (35447) 2008-01-31 1:46

wowwwwwww, welcome back Sasa, i am very happy, today Valeria and you.. and this shot is astonishing... i have seen before some shot from this sculptor, but i d ont believe it... very big baby near little kid.. very good cadrage. great work
take care
francine

luisafonso (862) 2008-01-31 2:04

It's 0:06 (Lisbon time). I'll return here if you don't mind... Just wanted to mark this moment. But I'll be back a little later...

[later]

Ok, it's now 09:56 and after a good night sleep, I can finally sit myself in front of this gem and say something useful about this. First the "sculpture". It's really amazing. So beautiful. There is a lot of things running on my mind when I look at the "Girl". It's so tender and so raw at the same time, so pure and so provoking... It's truly wonderful. Really got to explore that artist's work...
The photo. Well, my dear, once again you completely stroked us by using your Sport Billy's bag to the fullest. How come you can add to that wonderful work of art all this meaning here? A father, a little girl, a baby stroller... And all perfectly placed in a great light setting. C'mon, this time you have to admit. You're a magician, a Sport Billy, a MacGyver of photography, anything! :) Colors are so good, so natural. That white white is out of this world. A favorite.

Leilani (1385) 2008-01-31 2:39

what an amazing sculpture. Who is the artist? I think I'd like to check out the rest of their work. I think everyone has said anything that I would say. The presence of the girl, father and stroller are perfect.

pasternak (15185) 2008-01-31 2:48

Nice to see you back, Sasa, this is a very well conceived shot which shows well the attractive force which this "piece of art" exerts on the small children, maybe they remember what we adults have forgotten... I have a 1.5 year old daughter myself so I can feel what you mean here...

Cheers
Alexander

Merline (0) 2008-01-31 3:49

Hello Sarolta,
this image just jumps at me. I like enough the artist's work although it's not exactly my favorite, but it is powerful and brings many reactions in me. Your image is just superb in the way it presents it. Fascinating to see it from above, so huge yet so fragile and the inclusion of the dad and his child is ...I don't know how to say that in English, sorry, it's you; it's great.

Thanks
Best regards
Michèle

chpp (4283) 2008-01-31 7:59

Hi Sarolta
Impressive image. Very nice capture of this amazing art work.It looks so real.
Very n ice framing and light and good POV
cheers
chris

pgorod (1019) 2008-01-31 10:39

This is such a beauty... I think I would love that sculpture myself if I had a chance to see it close by.

But your photo takes a bit further, and stands as a work of art by itself. Very nice work indeed, I'm glad to see you haven't lost your touch...

brevbrev14 (140) 2008-02-01 0:56

Hi Sasa, incredible work!!
and you have captured it in a wonderful way!
impressive this image...and your composition is perfect to show the situation perfectly..
i have to know more about this sculptur..
ciao!!
Valeria

delkoo (68) 2008-02-01 2:50

hi sarolta
it's so funny to see this father showing the "geant" baby to his child, surprising shot.

didier

Dpbours (222) 2008-02-01 5:37

Hi Sasa,

Heeeeeeey, you are back!!! :-D

Great to see you back here. And as surrealistic as always in your compositions ;-0. Nice to see you back and yes a wonderful composition. But to my feel it is lacking in sharpness a little bit... I'm not sure what it is, since it's overall and not in a specific area. Well, just my feel...

Greetings! Dennis

atlantida (2323) 2008-02-01 8:18

I agree with G., this scene must've been arranged, it's just too perfect, ideal! I don't know where were u standing, but u captured the whole scene great, Sasa's way!

WB from me too, I missed u and Val:)

Gordana

eleparc (24063) 2008-02-01 9:58

I saw a Ron Mueck exhibition two years ago in apris at the Cartier foundation! It was so impressive! A unique artist with his own unique style and those gigantic sculptures enhancing the tiniest detail of our bodies... He is really a great guy! I love the echo between the scultpure and this human sized kid... Cheers
Eric

For those who can read French, please see the Paris exhibition presentation

robiuk (10807) 2008-02-01 12:22

Hi Sasa,
if nothing else, you managed to convey that
element of shock to me as well!
Besides, with your image you managed to create enough food for our imagination to work overtime, so that's
actually why I've been writing this only now after having
visited and enjoyed for about 4-5 times already!
Many thanks,
Robi

coco (30439) 2008-02-01 12:27

Hi Sasa.

Really this statue is very nice and good, and your photo too.
I like how you managed the light and the composition.

Regards from Barcelona.

manub (920) 2008-02-01 22:29

I'm still hesitating before writing a comment on a photo that features someone else's work of art, but here it's just (once agin) amazing how you manage to have such a great interaction between the people (father and child) and the work of art. It's perfectly well composed, and almost a "decisive moment", although i wish i could see the expression of the child's face.
e

bantonbuju (51815) 2008-02-01 23:22

an absolute killer, sasa!...
i know you have a damn good stock of other pearls like this one...so...don't disappear for such ling, again!
pozdrawiam, j.

Faros (12) 2008-02-02 0:36

Hi Sasa,

Everything is perfect, the man looking at his little girl, watching out for her reaction, the stroller in the background, the tones, all the elements work so well.

So nice to see you back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
;-)

Phil.

Dam-Lee (19) 2008-02-02 12:45

congrats to both the sculptor and photographer ;)

everlasting (19978) 2008-02-03 1:11

Hi sasa, good to see you back I thought we had lost you to the otherside?
Quite a comeback......I can imagine you poised waiting for the right moment to click, nice high POV to capture the scene. If the empty push-chair is for the baby, it wont fit:)

chicken (1557) 2008-02-03 11:34

creepy and well captured

devimeuxbe (58557) 2008-02-04 3:00

Hi Sarolta
What an incredible picture. !
i like this POV and this composition including teh baby in armes of the father.
Excellent
Bertrand

vapours (8264) 2008-02-05 3:32

One that stands out from the thumbnail due to the artwork, but your own addition to the work shines through here with the inclusion of the baby and the stroller.

It certainly is quite fascinating, but then again I guess most work produced by Australians usually is..

vts_ch (2624) 2008-02-06 9:49

Hi Sasa,
long time no see, but I always feel great looking at your pictures, they are just fascinating. The presence of the real baby is a must see.

Take care

Vince

marknunnerley (2780) 2008-02-07 8:31

How very true Sasa, it looks gross. Well seen though, timing is everything here and even the inclusion of the pushchair adds to this scene. Good to see you back. All the good ones seemed to be leaving.
br
mark

Iva_R (1352) 2008-02-08 2:08

Bonjour,
Voilà une photo tout à fait étonnante, et magnifiquement bien construite. L'oeuvre 'bébé' prend vraiment tout son sens regardée ainsi par le couple père-bébé, et la touche donnée par la poussette rehausse le tout.
Iva

KevRyan (22956) 2008-02-11 11:40

A great moment of juxtaposition and a well sought point of view my friend - and a triangular line of interest across the frame to boot - no wonder George thought it was arranged! It feels more like coming home with your work here Hobbit - I have to say it! Anyway I am glad to be back around again - and even more glad to see you here.

bw Kev

RGatward (20108) 2008-02-12 14:27

Wow, still turning out the stunning images. Looks like it's all been said, but congrats on this one.

michiels (4170) 2008-02-15 11:53

hello Sasa,

wow, impressing. i would have the same opinion as you like you have, but i can imagine the others saying the opposite. you captured at the best moment, with the father and his child looking at the "baby" ... great piece of art. (yours i mean ;) )
greetings, inn

elBud (2237) 2008-02-17 12:32 [Comment]

Show Comment

Mistral (15416) 2008-02-17 14:17

Welcome back, Sasa, we missed you!
Powerful impressive shot and a wonderful composition!
A big smile!
Luca

Rosa (0) 2008-03-22 11:28

Bonjour Sarolta,
Vraiment incroyable cette énorme sculpture ! très bien réaliser .
on dirait un vrai bebe sauf par sa grande taille.
excellent travail, merci pour le parage,
Amitiés,
Rosa.

adamchewts01 (862) 2008-03-24 6:21

Hi Sarolta,

Its been a while since I have last seen your photo. Your photo has always inspire me and giving new ideas. Not very sure if you will read my comments but thank you very much for sharing such a nicce picture with us.

Adam

j4uvikram (57) 2008-03-26 11:46

Hi Sarolta,

Very nice picture.
Especially the expressions on the sculpture are captured very nicely.
Your note goes very nicely with the photo....

somkiat (1104) 2008-06-05 3:08

hallo sarolta,
what a awesome.superb shot by you.it's csary but it's science shot, i think..very nice composition.
very nicely done
somkiat

francio64 (39888) 2008-07-12 14:25

Hi Sarolta,

mother mine!
That child seems true.
The color of skin is natural!
An impressive and beautiful photo!
It compliments!

Francesco

kyzer (341) 2008-07-31 12:39

Hi Sarolta,

Simply superb... beginin of the life ... chiaio..

Paddyrags

Loucoz (592) 2008-09-30 15:06

bonjour Sarolta,

photo très intéressante, superbe cadrage, très jolies photos dans ta gallerie,
Louis

gobesz (93) 2009-02-01 13:31

Szia Sarolta!
barangoltam a galeriadban, es tulajdonkeppen barmelyik kepedet valaszthattam volna, - legyen ez - hogy gratulaljak! fantasztikusak a kepeid, es remelem hamarosan ujra kuldesz kepeket a TE-re!
Eszter

alainh (33209) 2009-03-25 11:32

hello Sarlota
what a strange picture !! excellent shot and incredible sitautaion.
a nice day to you Sarloté
alain

Leo71538 (555) 2009-05-16 1:16

This is really amazing! TFS.
Greetings from Iran.
Akbar

ssalonis (17) 2009-08-02 23:59

After seeing this photo, first I got shivers..not that it is scary, but because baby there is naked :) I wonder what my children would think about exibition like this..I am a bit confused with this ..

toto (0) 2009-09-04 12:54

Bonsoir
belle photo et impressionnante avec ca.
Jolies couleur, bonne netteté qui nous montre des détails comme son nombril qui ferait penser a un garçon.
Quelle réalisme dans cette sculpture que vous avez très bien fixée.

Amitiés Thomas

g_panakia (4031) 2009-11-04 0:32

hello sarolta!
intriguing composition as well as Mueck's sculpor which is quite depressing but to the point of the wonder of life...
regards,
georgia

balmikib (251) 2010-01-23 5:21

great POV and the story.

kudos!!!

baalmiki

Rooster_kool (860) 2010-01-23 5:57

OMG, a priceless photo. This photo has brought a lots of messages. Anyway the composition is great and I love the light management.

diverjohn (544) 2010-01-28 6:29

I like it very much. The exposure and cropping are good, but to place a baby in the foreground is icing on the cake.
Good eye!

Kofman (2366) 2010-02-02 1:10

Epoustouflante cette photo et magnifique. D’habitude le nouveau-né, tout de suite après l’accouchement on a envie de couvrir, de protéger, de le garder tout près de corps et ici il est devant toi, énorme et accompli - un être. Il n’y a rien plus beau au monde que justement un nouveau-né. Et envie de le materner même à 62 ans…
Un nouveau-né en sculture, il fallait penser...
Amitiés,
Elisabeth Kofman

AKITA (15125) 2010-05-15 17:27

dear Sarolta Gyoker,
already next eggs are in her ovary...
her expression at first contact to the air looks like her last expression at aged figure,
a ring is there, and the family in that ring is watching and feeling the time itself,
and you...
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

azizbilgili (2111) 2010-05-16 22:13

Wow...
Great prespective...

TFS

Rafer (0) 2010-07-20 23:11

Superios punto de vista muy acertado así como superior es lo que muestra la imagen en una atractiva composición con magnífica luz y color...saludos Sarolta

vishaal (1042) 2010-12-30 2:09

Hi Sarolta,

A very artistic image, with all of its irresitible attractiveness and surrealism !
And you have composed this shot with same degree of aesthetics. An artist's way to see things. Simply superb !
A very interesting note also, compelling me to rethink about our lives and mortality. Thanks a lot !

Wish you a Happy 2011 !!

Best regards,
Vishal.

blagov58 (331) 2011-12-26 19:16

slightly shocking picture at first. Great POV, composition, technique and story - all makes it a very powerful.

fourty (20) 2012-03-23 0:59

Great, it really tells a story.
Greetings,
Miroslav

zoomer (6) 2013-09-21 14:42

Hi,superb composition with tremendous impact !Friendly regards Wolf.