Agreed DV. Don King is brilliant. Hell, he "is" boxing. His runnin numbers, fuck it type past is exactly why I'm not feelin this dude behind a curtain with his shoulders out. I got dresses that expose my shoulders in a similar fashion......
Took a little photography too, D. Even then, its okay. The play on the black and white is eye catching, but beyond that I'm not seeing much. Of course, "brilliant photo" is a subjective characterization.
Its emasculating, IMO, because it infers that he's nude. Nude is beautiful when a woman is nude, not when a man is nude. Again, IMO. Also the curtain is part and parcel to the nudity thing. Its a play on a theme that you usually see when the subject is female, i.e., shielding the "important" parts of her nude body with an object.
Its exasculating because the photo is completely contrary, theme-wise, to the qualities and accomplishments that make Don King great. Don King is Don King because he's loud, agressive and flashy. A better photo, again, IMO, would play on this - not attempt to water it down.
It's so interesting how different people see things. I see your point, but I look at the photo and see power. See a man with a lot of power turning inward for a moment of reflection. There is a calm.
And I like the way the photo forces the eye to his face; there is an emotion in the picture that has elicited this wide range of responses.
That's the thing about art. We all see different things.
It didn't occur to me that Don King was nude. As a matter of fact, I didn't even discern the material from the background. But I still don't think my man is naked.
Now that you mention it - on some level I assumed he was wearing one of those church choir robes.
As to the piece appropriately reflecting the reality of Don King's experience. I don't agree with you.
Yes, Don was brash, colorful and over the top. That is certainly the character he played. However, as evidenced by his accomplishments ("Rumble In The Jungle") there was another Don King we haven't seen.
Don was a subtle and determined intellect. Don was a visionary. Don practiced self-determination and refused to play a role written by others.
I could be wrong, but I'd like to think this image captures a moment of reflection and self-actualization.
He appears to me to be naked behind a curtain holding it closed with his hands. His face looks sad and disappointed. My interpretation is he wants to hide his true self.
it looks like a theatrical coffin to me. like the death of "Don King" as if he wants to live out the rest of his life drama free, just as a simple man, not "The Don". That's what i see.
what the hell is he doing?
ReplyDeleteDon't know what he is doing, but that is a great photograph.
ReplyDeletemmmmm, not so much.
ReplyDeleteRobyn,
ReplyDeleteDon King was a bad dude. Ahead of his time. Before Don, HBO had a monopoly on PPV rights.
Don said fuck it. I got the fighters. I got the talent. I'll get my own satellites. That's when the purses jumped.
Notice the pattern? Gangsters make vertically integrated business moves. Corporate Negros move horizontally.
If Don King had gotten a degree, instead of being a numbers runner in his twenties, he would have sought a job at TVKO instead of cutting out TVKO.
Agreed DV. Don King is brilliant. Hell, he "is" boxing. His runnin numbers, fuck it type past is exactly why I'm not feelin this dude behind a curtain with his shoulders out. I got dresses that expose my shoulders in a similar fashion......
ReplyDeleteThat was me above
ReplyDeleteFrankly, this photo is emasculating. I'm surprised your feelin it.
LOL.
ReplyDeleteRobyn. That's funny.
But damn. I thought the man was praying.
Robyn,
ReplyDeleteWell, I won't bore you with the photopgraphy class I'm taking but, from a technical perspective, it is a very well-done photo.
Putting that aside, however, why do you find it emasculating?
what kind of posture do men have to take in order to be considered
ReplyDeletewe too grown to be so narrow.
considered masculine
ReplyDeleteTook a little photography too, D. Even then, its okay. The play on the black and white is eye catching, but beyond that I'm not seeing much. Of course, "brilliant photo" is a subjective characterization.
ReplyDeleteIts emasculating, IMO, because it infers that he's nude. Nude is beautiful when a woman is nude, not when a man is nude. Again, IMO. Also the curtain is part and parcel to the nudity thing. Its a play on a theme that you usually see when the subject is female, i.e., shielding the "important" parts of her nude body with an object.
Its exasculating because the photo is completely contrary, theme-wise, to the qualities and accomplishments that make Don King great. Don King is Don King because he's loud, agressive and flashy. A better photo, again, IMO, would play on this - not attempt to water it down.
Sorry Jasai, I like men. Not girly sensitive males. Narrow, shallow, unevolved....
ReplyDeleteOkay.
It's so interesting how different people see things. I see your point, but I look at the photo and see power. See a man with a lot of power turning inward for a moment of reflection. There is a calm.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like the way the photo forces the eye to his face; there is an emotion in the picture that has elicited this wide range of responses.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Robyn.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing about art. We all see different things.
It didn't occur to me that Don King was nude. As a matter of fact, I didn't even discern the material from the background. But I still don't think my man is naked.
Now that you mention it - on some level I assumed he was wearing one of those church choir robes.
As to the piece appropriately reflecting the reality of Don King's experience. I don't agree with you.
Yes, Don was brash, colorful and over the top. That is certainly the character he played. However, as evidenced by his accomplishments ("Rumble In The Jungle") there was another Don King we haven't seen.
Don was a subtle and determined intellect. Don was a visionary. Don practiced self-determination and refused to play a role written by others.
I could be wrong, but I'd like to think this image captures a moment of reflection and self-actualization.
Indeed, everyone sees something different.
ReplyDeleteHe appears to me to be naked behind a curtain holding it closed with his hands. His face looks sad and disappointed. My interpretation is he wants to hide his true self.
ReplyDeleteit looks like a theatrical coffin to me. like the death of "Don King" as if he wants to live out the rest of his life drama free, just as a simple man, not "The Don". That's what i see.
ReplyDelete