NARRATIVE PORTRAITURE

ARTHUR TRESS & PAOLO VENTURA 



By Photographer Arthur Tress

FISH TANK SONATA

Arthur Tress began his project by travelling to the

Taken at Manhattan beach, California.

Hudson River near Catskill, New York. In which he rented a small cottage from a fellow photographer. Using collectibles from the forties and fifties, Tress Wanted to construct a still life piece without yet the knowledge of his theme. Coincidentally. Catskill had been home to the famous painter, Thomas Cole. Who in his time began a series of paintings called 'The Voyages Of Life.' This story suggests the four stages of a man's life.

Arthur Tress wanted to depict the poetic narrative of an anglers journey through time and existence.

However Tress did go on to mention and I quote. 

Taken at Apalachicola Bay, St. George Island, Florida.

"This Narrative would not only be about the anglers journey but also mine, reflecting the process of how I evolved into the photographer I am."

Taken at Turtle pond, Central Park, New York City.

By Photographer Paolo Ventura

The Automaton

These specific photographs are taken from Paolo Ventura's Larger project 'The Automaton.' Ventura depicts the story of an elderly man in Venice, during the second world war. Living in the jewish ghettos of Canareggio alone and lonely with only a few remaining Jews, the elderly man constructs himself a friend named Nino. A friend made out of parts (Automaton or better known as robot.)

Throughout the tale, it explores the sacred friendship between the old man and his newly made friend. 

But when the Nazis return...they round up the last few remaining Jews.

What I'm most fond about with these two artists is that they captivate human life through the efforts of narrative story. Their attempts to recreate situations that are part of a real piece of work or connected to a real event in time, inspires each to create their own unique meaning. 

Another point that can be made is the difference between the use of colours. One of them is realistically accurate and the other is surreal (dreamlike). But there can be a connection made between the two because they both contrast life.

Now a question for you my readers.What narrative story are you fond of ? 

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BIBLIOGRAPHY 

ARTHUR TRESS -  Title: Fish Tank Sonata
                                 Publisher: Bulfinch Press; slp edition (September 2000)


Paolo Ventura - 

 Title: Venice 1943

Authors: Ventura, Paolo

Source: Aperture; Summer 2011, Issue 203, p66-73, 8p

Database: Art full text (H.W. Wilson)