Rock n’ Roll
Feature / review / writing Sample
Yuling Chen
If pictures can talk, people will not be able to bear the sharp edges of the photographic mediums. My 90s photograph … at the Art Gallery of Ontario is a telltale sign of independence. The fact the subjects of the exhibition, rock stars, are independent has made people scratch their heads. What’s at stake is the fact that the luxury of taking self portrait in various hotels has become commonplace. Since 1990s the world of entertainment has bridged the divide between religious groups and secular beliefs. Many music albums are produced just to be performed in the large stadium. The photographs of fire, palm trees and aero planes have ushered a new era of guitar bending narratives. Rock stars are bohemians, are middle class and are beautifully decorated. The lack of racial profiles and elements has suggested that the photography is a medium for only self expression. Can this work in today’s fast paced world?
