Postgraduate Conference Monday 23 rd June 2014 Philip Jones Griffiths – photographer,...

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Postgraduate Postgraduate Conference Conference Monday 23 Monday 23 rd rd June 2014 June 2014 Philip Jones Griffiths Philip Jones Griffiths photographer, photojournalist, photographer, photojournalist, author, raconteur, indefatigable author, raconteur, indefatigable humanist, scourge of imperialism, humanist, scourge of imperialism, proud Welshman proud Welshman 1936 - 2008 1936 - 2008 ~ ~ by: George Petry by: George Petry

Transcript of Postgraduate Conference Monday 23 rd June 2014 Philip Jones Griffiths – photographer,...

Postgraduate Postgraduate ConferenceConference

Monday 23Monday 23rdrd June 2014 June 2014

Philip Jones Griffiths Philip Jones Griffiths – photographer, – photographer, photojournalist, author, raconteur, photojournalist, author, raconteur, indefatigable humanist, scourge of indefatigable humanist, scourge of

imperialism, proud Welshmanimperialism, proud Welshman

1936 - 20081936 - 2008

~~

by: George Petryby: George Petry

Philip Jones GriffithsPhilip Jones Griffithsin Vietnam, circa 1966in Vietnam, circa 1966

““One country and one war gave One country and one war gave Philip the chance to Philip the chance to say something say something very profound, very profound, very important to very important to

himhim, about , about life as he sees life as he sees and and understands it. Turn to understands it. Turn to his images, his images, the last of their kind the last of their kind that we shall that we shall

see, made in see, made in unrepeatable unrepeatable circumstancescircumstances, by a , by a rare talent rare talent – –

by my by my fearlessfearless friend Philip, a friend Philip, a most original photographermost original photographer with a with a

very Welsh kind of geniusvery Welsh kind of genius.”.”Murray Sayle, Murray Sayle, (investigative journalist) from (investigative journalist) from Dark OdysseyDark Odyssey

Scope of the Research Scope of the Research ProjectProject

Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths archive out of which was born archive out of which was born Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc. – the – the 1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)

An archive is…An archive is…

Traces of the past, collected either intentionally or hapazardly Traces of the past, collected either intentionally or hapazardly as ‘evidence’. Antoinette Burton, as ‘evidence’. Antoinette Burton, Archive StoriesArchive Stories

Archives are created, drawn upon and experienced by those Archives are created, drawn upon and experienced by those who use them to write history. Antoinette Burton, who use them to write history. Antoinette Burton, Archive Archive StoriesStories

“…“…shaped as much by national identity, gender, race and shaped as much by national identity, gender, race and class, as by professional training...” Antoinette Burton, class, as by professional training...” Antoinette Burton, Archive StoriesArchive Stories

The start point, particularly for photographic documents, from The start point, particularly for photographic documents, from which “…documents can speak for themselves and what the which “…documents can speak for themselves and what the relationship is between ‘fact’ and ‘interpretation’. Ann relationship is between ‘fact’ and ‘interpretation’. Ann Curthoys,Curthoys, The History of Killing The History of Killing

One of six shelves of boxes of mainly One of six shelves of boxes of mainly photographic material. National Library of photographic material. National Library of

Wales Wales

The Griffiths archive, The Griffiths archive, Magnum, New York office, Magnum, New York office,

20132013

Scope of the Research Scope of the Research ProjectProject

Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths archive out of which was born archive out of which was born Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc. – the – the 1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)

Evaluation of Griffiths’ photographs capturing war Evaluation of Griffiths’ photographs capturing war sufferingsuffering

One of Griffiths’s 266 One of Griffiths’s 266 imagesimages

Innocence and Anguish Innocence and Anguish Vietnam Inc. p151Vietnam Inc. p151

Susan said…Susan said…““A photograph has only one language and is destined for A photograph has only one language and is destined for all.”all.”

Regarding the Pain of Others,Regarding the Pain of Others, 2003 2003

““Photographs do not explain, they acknowledge.”Photographs do not explain, they acknowledge.”

On On PhotographyPhotography, 1971, 1971

““Industrial societies turn their citizens into image-junkies; it Industrial societies turn their citizens into image-junkies; it is the most irresistible form of mental pollution.”is the most irresistible form of mental pollution.”

On PhotographyOn Photography, 1971, 1971

““Are you waiting for a shell to go off so you can photograph Are you waiting for a shell to go off so you can photograph some corpses?” some corpses?” Regarding the Pain of Regarding the Pain of Others,Others, 2003 2003

Questions on SufferingQuestions on SufferingIt is not beautiful….It is not beautiful….

Can photographing and publishing images of Can photographing and publishing images of suffering be justified? By whom…..for whom?suffering be justified? By whom…..for whom?

Spectacle or News?Spectacle or News?

Intrusion on privacy, or informative plea for helpIntrusion on privacy, or informative plea for help

Documenting and evidencing extremes in human Documenting and evidencing extremes in human conditionsconditions

Aesthetics or atrocities of war porn?Aesthetics or atrocities of war porn?

Fabrication, manipulation, set up?Fabrication, manipulation, set up?

Scope of the Research Scope of the Research ProjectProject

Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths archive out of which was born archive out of which was born Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc. – the – the 1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)

Evaluation of Griffiths’ photographs capturing war Evaluation of Griffiths’ photographs capturing war sufferingsuffering

Evaluating the possibility of a notion of Evaluating the possibility of a notion of ‘‘WelshnessWelshness’ having a tangible, subliminal, ’ having a tangible, subliminal, powerfully influencing presence on Griffiths the powerfully influencing presence on Griffiths the photographer? photographer?

What is Welshness?What is Welshness?

JMW Turner (1775-1851) sets the scene:JMW Turner (1775-1851) sets the scene:

“…“…Turner’s sombre, brooding pictures of Wales were Turner’s sombre, brooding pictures of Wales were intended to evoke in the consciousness of British intended to evoke in the consciousness of British connoisseurs…..” connoisseurs…..”

““Like the imaginary spaces of the Gothic Novel which Like the imaginary spaces of the Gothic Novel which so influenced Turner, the dark spaces of his Welsh so influenced Turner, the dark spaces of his Welsh pictures symbolise the blockages and obstacles pictures symbolise the blockages and obstacles placed in the way of the exercise of power.”placed in the way of the exercise of power.”

Rod Jones, Rod Jones, Wales the Imagined Nation Wales the Imagined Nation

What is Welshness?What is Welshness?Welshness is not a stereotypeWelshness is not a stereotype

Welshness is not an ideology or ethnopsychologyWelshness is not an ideology or ethnopsychology

Welshness is not strict ethnicity or ‘a people’Welshness is not strict ethnicity or ‘a people’

Welshness is not politics or a religionWelshness is not politics or a religion

Welshness is vital to grasp and impossible to defineWelshness is vital to grasp and impossible to define

~~

““The Welsh as a people have lived by making and remaking The Welsh as a people have lived by making and remaking themselves in generation after generation, usually against themselves in generation after generation, usually against the odds, usually within a British context. In that making the odds, usually within a British context. In that making and remaking of themselves, a sense of history has been and remaking of themselves, a sense of history has been central.”central.”

Gwyn A. Williams, Gwyn A. Williams, When was Wales?When was Wales?

Key Welshness Key Welshness characteristicscharacteristicsKenneth O. Morgan in: Kenneth O. Morgan in: Rebirth of a NationRebirth of a Nation: : Plaid Plaid

Cymru’s main concerns were moral, intellectual and cultural:Cymru’s main concerns were moral, intellectual and cultural:Making of Welsh the only official language in government Making of Welsh the only official language in government administration, business and in education instructionadministration, business and in education instructionNationalist ‘pacific’ nature and movementNationalist ‘pacific’ nature and movementAsserting and defining Welsh identity in literary periodicals, Asserting and defining Welsh identity in literary periodicals, Eisteddfod platforms, Eisteddfod platforms, Dislike/distrust of imperialism, of influence from ‘foreign’ Dislike/distrust of imperialism, of influence from ‘foreign’ EnglandEngland

Carol Trosset in: Carol Trosset in: Welshness Performed:Welshness Performed: The importance of language, history and sense of communityThe importance of language, history and sense of communityChristian/Methodist-based values of integrity, hard work, Christian/Methodist-based values of integrity, hard work, modestymodestyNational Eisteddfod held accountable for maintaining many National Eisteddfod held accountable for maintaining many cultural traditionscultural traditionsPresence of dominant England as a scapegoat of unwanted Presence of dominant England as a scapegoat of unwanted contaminating cultural influencescontaminating cultural influences

Scope of the Research Scope of the Research ProjectProject

Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths Examination of the unique, untouched Griffiths archive out of which was born archive out of which was born Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc. – the – the 1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)1971 book ( 266 images over 223 pages)

Evaluation of Griffiths’ photographs capturing war Evaluation of Griffiths’ photographs capturing war sufferingsuffering

Evaluating the possibility of a notion of ‘Welshness’ Evaluating the possibility of a notion of ‘Welshness’ having a tangible, subliminal, powerfully having a tangible, subliminal, powerfully influencing presence on Griffiths the photographer?influencing presence on Griffiths the photographer?

Hopefully to bring greater knowledge, Hopefully to bring greater knowledge, understanding and exposure of Philip Jones understanding and exposure of Philip Jones Griffiths to Wales and Welsh cultural history, as a Griffiths to Wales and Welsh cultural history, as a contemporary paragon of photojournalismcontemporary paragon of photojournalism

The Research QuestionThe Research Question

“Philip Jones Griffiths gave his life meaning through

the medium of photography.

In Vietnam, did he connect English governments

historically projecting an imperialist power over the

Welsh, with the treatment and suffering of the

Vietnamese people in a brutal war which he saw as a

projection of US imperialist power?

The HypothesisThe Hypothesis“If it is reasonable to believe that any photographer born in any

culture will apply his or her cultural identity, with its’ attendant

histories, belief systems, values, traditions, experiences,

prejudices and myths, consciously or subconsciously, to their

photography, then why not this Welshman?

The hypothesis posits that Griffiths, raised in North Wales in the

1930s to 1950s would carry that particular area’s cultural

notion of Welshness, as a memory influencing his views on life

and the composition and choices of subject in his photographic

work, through war and the suffering of an alien country -

namely Vietnam?”

So what does this mean?So what does this mean?

What is culture?What is culture? Raymond Williams, 1988, in Raymond Williams, 1988, in KeywordsKeywords describes it as: describes it as:

One of the two or three most complicated words in the One of the two or three most complicated words in the English language (Welsh – English language (Welsh – diwylliantdiwylliant))

A complex argument about relations between general A complex argument about relations between general human development and a particular way of life, and human development and a particular way of life, and between both the works and practices of art and between both the works and practices of art and intelligence.intelligence.

In cultural anthropology the reference to In cultural anthropology the reference to cultureculture or or a a culture culture is primarily to material production; while in cultural is primarily to material production; while in cultural studies the reference is primarily to studies the reference is primarily to signifyingsignifying or or symbolicsymbolic systems.systems.

So what?So what?Cultural interpretation resides in Cultural interpretation resides in peoplepeople in a war – in a war – natives and visitors; and incomers bring their own. natives and visitors; and incomers bring their own. Photographers, journalists also bring their own Photographers, journalists also bring their own

The national identity/cultural background of the The national identity/cultural background of the photographer is an inevitable influence on:photographer is an inevitable influence on:

Photographic style/preferences: place, time, subject Photographic style/preferences: place, time, subject of shootof shoot

Welshness was Griffiths’s cultural influencing Welshness was Griffiths’s cultural influencing background in Vietnam background in Vietnam Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc. was the result was the result

MethodologyMethodologyExamine the Vietnam period archive 1966-1971 Examine the Vietnam period archive 1966-1971 alongside alongside Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc.

Extract data from key sources:Extract data from key sources:The Archive - contact sheets and other documentsThe Archive - contact sheets and other documents

Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc. – photographs – photographs, , narratives and captionsnarratives and captions

Interviews with family, colleagues, friends, othersInterviews with family, colleagues, friends, others

Key data analysis tools:Key data analysis tools:Used on population of 26 representative photographs Used on population of 26 representative photographs (10%) from (10%) from Vietnam Inc.Vietnam Inc.

Templates critical analysis tools (Szarkowski & Tinkler)Templates critical analysis tools (Szarkowski & Tinkler)

Analytical ToolsAnalytical ToolsJohn SzarkowskiJohn Szarkowski

The Five Characteristics of The Five Characteristics of a Photographa Photograph

From: From: The Photographer’s EyeThe Photographer’s Eye

•The Thing itselfThe Thing itself

•The DetailThe Detail

•The FrameThe Frame

•TimeTime

•Vantage PointVantage Point

Penny TinklerPenny Tinkler

The Five Lines of EnquiryThe Five Lines of Enquiry

From: From: Using Photographs in Social Using Photographs in Social and Historical Researchand Historical Research

•Identification of basic details

•Scrutiny of the image

•Photographs as material objects

•Contextual situation

•Meanings of a photograph

The PhotographerThe Photographer

“When creating a pictorial event, the photographer selects a particular frame of reference for the viewer: the lighting, the camera angle, the perspective, the lines and forms, the framing, the balance, and the overall compositional arrangement. In short, the recorder of the pictorial event controls the manner in which the information is presented.”

ROBERT N. KRAFT, 1987

Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa

Now it is your turn……Now it is your turn……

““If I like a photograph, if it disturbs me, I linger If I like a photograph, if it disturbs me, I linger over it. over it.

What am I doing, during the time I remain with it?What am I doing, during the time I remain with it?

I look at it, I scrutinize it, as if I wanted to know I look at it, I scrutinize it, as if I wanted to know more about the thing or the person it represents.”more about the thing or the person it represents.”

Roland Barthes, Roland Barthes, Camera LucidaCamera Lucida, 1993, 1993

Photographs by six strongly individual Photographs by six strongly individual international photojournalists working in Vietnaminternational photojournalists working in Vietnam

Consider the image; do you think there may be a Consider the image; do you think there may be a cultural sense of national identity at work in the cultural sense of national identity at work in the photographer’s style, or subject or composition?photographer’s style, or subject or composition?

Consider these against similar compositions by Consider these against similar compositions by GriffithsGriffiths

‘‘Burning Monk’Burning Monk’Thich Quang Duc, Saigon 1963Thich Quang Duc, Saigon 1963

Malcolm Browne (American), 1964 Pulitzer prize winnerMalcolm Browne (American), 1964 Pulitzer prize winner

Associated PressAssociated Press

““Burning Home”Burning Home”With compliments of the ‘Zippo With compliments of the ‘Zippo

SquadSquad’’Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967

‘‘Zippo Squad’ soldier at workZippo Squad’ soldier at workPhilip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967

‘‘Saigon Execution’Saigon Execution’Gen Loan executes a VC officerGen Loan executes a VC officer

Eddie Adams (American), 1969 Pulitzer prize winnerEddie Adams (American), 1969 Pulitzer prize winner

Associated PressAssociated Press

VC guerrilla body in streetVC guerrilla body in streetEddie Adams (American), 5 May 1968Eddie Adams (American), 5 May 1968

Innocent civilian in street - USAF Innocent civilian in street - USAF bombing, Huébombing, Hué

Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1968, [orig colour]Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1968, [orig colour]

VC body dragged away for burial - Battle of VC body dragged away for burial - Battle of Long TanLong Tan

Kyoichi Sawada Kyoichi Sawada (Japanese) - 1966 Pulitzer prize winner(Japanese) - 1966 Pulitzer prize winner

UPIUPI

Mother with children crossing river to Mother with children crossing river to safety during USAF bombing run on their safety during USAF bombing run on their

village in Loc Thuongvillage in Loc ThuongKyoichi Sawada (Japanese) UPIKyoichi Sawada (Japanese) UPI

Mother and children being Mother and children being ‘relocated’ from their village, for ‘relocated’ from their village, for

their safety, by a GI patroltheir safety, by a GI patrolPhilip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1968Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1968

‘‘The Terror of War’The Terror of War’Kim Phuc – ‘The Napalm Girl’Kim Phuc – ‘The Napalm Girl’

Huỳnh Công Út (Huỳnh Công Út (Nick) Ut (Vietnamese), 1973 Pulitzer prize winnerNick) Ut (Vietnamese), 1973 Pulitzer prize winner

Associated PressAssociated Press

‘‘The Terror of War’The Terror of War’Napalm man – name unknownNapalm man – name unknown

Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967

Wounded GI – ‘crucifixion’Wounded GI – ‘crucifixion’Don McCullin (English), 1968, Battle of Hué, Sunday TimesDon McCullin (English), 1968, Battle of Hué, Sunday Times

Crucifixion, rural interpretationCrucifixion, rural interpretationPhilip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1970Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1970

Bandage; wounded GIsBandage; wounded GIsHenri Huet (French), 1966, Robert Capa Gold Medal Henri Huet (French), 1966, Robert Capa Gold Medal

Winner from Overseas Press Club Winner from Overseas Press Club Associated Press Associated Press

Bandage; napalm wounded civilianBandage; napalm wounded civilianPhilip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967Philip Jones Griffiths (Welsh), 1967

~ No award necessary ~~ No award necessary ~

From a note Philip wrote, found in an archived box:

“For years afterwards Vietnam continued to make it’s nocturnal visits to my mind. Never nightmares, mostly pleasant. This always surprised me as Vietnam was anything but pleasant from 1966 to 1971. It was a fairground with real people for sitting ducks.

Fairgrounds are dangerous places, people are robbed, pockets are picked, girls are raped, whole families are wiped out when the roller coaster fails to make a bend and carrousels speed up out of control throwing young children to oblivion. On returning home penniless any gifts won are found to be useless/worthless. But it was exciting! People do crazy things in fairgrounds - like water-skiing in a battle zone. (If you think that scene in ‘Apocalypse Now’ was a product of Coppola’s imagination I photographed the real thing in 1967 - there was even a ‘Kurtz’ present, except that he would make the villagers kiss his boots and while their tongues licked the dust off his boots he blew their brains out.”

Thank youThank you