Monday, July 09, 2007
Harry Potter and the Disagreement with the Japanese Yakuza
Comments:
I'm not sure what a Yakuza is, but this is a funny image. Yes, I do read Harry Potter and the image title and the broom are great together. You can almost visuallize that something horrible is throwing up some really bad stuff (or is it eating it? hmmmmm) any how, nice composition and tonality and again, very funny.
Yakuza are members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan. Wikipedia gives a pretty good run down on their origins, history and current activities: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza
I'm in definite agreement about the "funny" part! Very funny, in fact.
Will get back to the photo -- but the whole broom and cement (if that's what it is) thing with that title makes it work in one regard.
I haven't read a Potter book or seen a film but one can't help being aware of the broomstick from advertising and film trailers. I like the title though and found the description of the Yakuza very interesting. From all that it is possible to appreciate the humour. The juxtaposition of the Heath Robinson machine and the modern building is fun too.
You last three posts have been interesting in that you are telling only part of the story in the picture, with the rest of the story in the title. As complete packages, they work. The photo's work as well, but without the titles, they aren't stories, if that makes sense.
Agree with Matt. Although there is more picture in this one than the last one, the title is very important.
It is useful to be reminded about how much cultural context is necessary for appreciating art. Your recent shots have pointed this up very well.
I am a great believer in titles and I use them as part of the message I wish to convey. I find this humorous and love the thought that Harry Potter has been given a concrete suit. Perhaps the Yakuza objected to plagiarism.
Thanks for the comments especially with regard to titles. To me this photo (plus others in the series) immediately lept out at me. Perhaps my thinking is too far off hinge so therefore a witty/pointed title is required to focus the mind. I like my photos to be a challenge.
I've enjoyed coming back to this more than once. It still leaves me smiling. Hard to know just what I'd feel about it without the title, since that association has been made and it is such a strong one.
With or without the title, I think it would be much less interesting without the broom.
Post a Comment
Will get back to the photo -- but the whole broom and cement (if that's what it is) thing with that title makes it work in one regard.
It is useful to be reminded about how much cultural context is necessary for appreciating art. Your recent shots have pointed this up very well.
With or without the title, I think it would be much less interesting without the broom.