“Untitled, from the series: “The Body Works” Various Performance Pieces”, 1986-1987 by Eugenia Vargas-Pereira
Eugenia Vargas-Pereira’s work here stood out to me from the others because of the amazing texture of straw throughout the photo. At first glance, the bunch of straw appeared to be leaning on an object of some sort, casting a strong shadow below it. Once I open the image further, I realized this “object” is a person with their body covered in straw, holding the bunch on their back. The element of line in this piece is what makes it stand out most to me. The bend in the person’s body allows for the straw on their back and in the bunch to be almost parallel. This draws a viewer’s eye really well and keeps the subject matter very cohesive. The highlight on the straw is also really nice because it creates a great focal point for the piece. The scattered straw in the background of this photo also holds a lighter tone, allowing it to be somewhat unified throughout its disorganization. Overall, I love that the person and bunch of straw seem to become one whole subject here. It is visually intriguing and brings the audience in to want to know more about the form and why it stands the way it does.