Emily Hobgood
Nome: Emily Hobgood
Cidade: Madrid
País: Espanha
Núcleo Saint Louis University
Título: “Indian-style”
Legenda: This photograph was taken in Retiro Park on a Sunday afternoon. The boy is sitting Indian-style on the pavement to watch a street performer that had the attention of a throng of park-goers. He had pushed his way to the front of the circle where he could get a clear view. I hope that this picture primarily sends a message of health and contentment in this boy’s life. Although there are no parents visible in the picture, it is clear that he is well taken care of. His sleeves are meticulously rolled up, his hair carefully brushed, and his jeans and shirt are spotless. He is calm and content because he is healthy and happy. His situation is so stable that he can carelessly spend a day at the park. Additionally, to add to the theme of health, I discovered after taking the picture that the pavement is almost immaculate. Even if it really was dirty at the time, the image portrays unusually pristine pavement before him. Lastly, the warm sunlight is coming down on his figure, indicating that it is almost sun-set. Even though it is almost dark, he has no fear of going to sleep with an empty stomach. As a suggestion for some elements of irony in this photo, one could interpret the pavement to be a symbol of the fear of over-development in the world. Even though this child is obviously living very well, the photo could be taken to mean that with the luxuries that he is enjoying also comes the destruction of environment. Moreover, the feet at the top of the frame are those of the performer’s. They are very different from the boy’s feet – dirty and adorned with costume sandals. The photo could be taken to suggest that the boy only regards this man as an entertainer, and will forget his poverty once he leaves the park to return to his lavish home.
