Untitled [New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, 2005] Possibly 2005 - 2010

This photograph, Untitled [New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, 2005], was shot by Richard Misrach. It speaks to an idea about the world, that images are never truly objective, but made through selection. The words "I AM HERE I HAVE A GUN" are sprayed in red paint onto a wooden wall. Misrach has chosen to focus on these words against the wooden backdrop of the boarded-up building. The contrast between the raw, uncut wood and the bright red spray paint creates an interesting push and pull for me. It's like a punch in the gut; a raw and desperate message in a chaotic situation. Those words seem to shout out from the silence of the image. This reminds me of the work of Martha Rosler, who also addresses the themes of war and social injustice, with the use of text, image and appropriation. Art isn't just about aesthetics; it's about raising questions.