Comments on: Ruth McDowell – Malaiku https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2017/04/ruth-mcdowell-malaiku/ burn is an online feature for emerging photographers worldwide. burn is curated by magnum photographer david alan harvey. Wed, 31 May 2017 16:40:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.4 By: Steve Caddy https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2017/04/ruth-mcdowell-malaiku/#comment-1295572 Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:54:04 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=54515#comment-1295572 I think it’s a fantastically sensitive project. I don’t find the hidden faces produce a ‘faceless victim’ narrative at all. What I do see is a symbolic image of the introspection and insecurity that follows a devastating event. We close in on ourselves and hide away, gnawed at by fear and shame, trying to come to terms.

I want to comfort the subjects. To have them turn toward me. To say “It’s ok…”, the words you reach for when it’s not. To offer a gentle touch. I can’t, but there is such gentleness in the light that it’s almost kind. It’s a kind of hope.

Really beautiful, sensitive work. Thank you.

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By: mw https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2017/04/ruth-mcdowell-malaiku/#comment-1295562 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 15:38:58 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=54515#comment-1295562 It’s great to try to shed light on such a tragedy, and I’m guessing no faces are shown due to fear of repercussions, but still, I don’t think the faceless victims strategy works. More I fear it may perpetuate the faceless victims problem. Better, I’d think, to go the more traditional route and put a face on the tragedy so that people can better identify with the victims. Not easy, I know, and maybe not even possible.

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By: skiwaves https://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2017/04/ruth-mcdowell-malaiku/#comment-1295561 Wed, 05 Apr 2017 13:56:18 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=54515#comment-1295561 I wasn’t as taken by this until reading the intro.
It’s dark, stark and striking.
The profile orientation of the portraits has a nice, unique effect.
I feel for the humanity so much less fortunate than me.

Ruth, I hope your efforts help and make our world a better place.

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