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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Eight: Using symbols and metaphors to express meaning > Patriotism and innocence, Kingman, Arizona, 2009
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15-APR-2009

Patriotism and innocence, Kingman, Arizona, 2009

I made this image through the window of a toy store in Kingman. It appeared to be out of business. Left behind in its window was a flat wooden cut-out toy, depicting a child swinging from a tree. Attached to the back of toy was a discolored photograph showing a stack of small American flags. Someone who once worked here was probably trying to add a patriotic dimension to the toy – perhaps intending to imply that the innocence of childhood is somehow a particularly American virtue. But time and exposure to harsh sunlight have intervened, badly discoloring the photograph, fading its colors and adding a purplish color-cast. There were many other objects in this window. But I chose to isolate on the idealized toy and the discolored photograph. And I put them both in the context of a store that is now appears to be out of business. I call attention to the symbolism inherent in both subjects, and ask my viewers to consider possible new meanings implicit in my image.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/400s f/5.0 at 109.0mm iso100 full exif

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