Full Title: Comparing “Fox Games” by Sandy Skoglund and “Dali Atomicus” by Philippe Halsman

“Dali Atomicus” is one of the great surreal photographs of its time. Taken in 1948 it depicts the famous surrealist Salvador Dali and two of his paintings. A dynamic space has been created, full of movement and suspension; although the fast shutter speed has frozen the immense action in place. “Fox Games” also depicts frozen time. However a different feeling is generated by the photograph. The action in “Dali Atomicus” seems to continue even though it is still in the image. In contrast, the scene in “Fox Games” appears as though it were frozen while the photographer was capturing the image.

In both image, the suspension has been brilliantly executed. The timing it “Dali Atomicus” involved a great deal of luck, with action occurring on the count of “four” Hence no supports were required, other than people out of frame to hold the “floating” objects. In the second image, however, the foxes have been supported using wires, invisible against the backdrop of the scene by ingenious use of staging.

The depth in “Fox Games” appears much greater than that in “Dali Atomicus”, with leading lines and perspective drawing you towards the back of the image where people are eating. In Halsman’s image, the action appears to take place in one of two layers. The foreground comprising of the cats, water and chair, with Dali and his paintings in the background. I find this severely reduces the sense of depth from the image. Skoglund’s artwork, however, is multidimensional with a much greater depth of object placement. All areas of Skoglund’s image are in focus because of the small aperture used, creating a large depth of field.

Despite the hit and miss technique used to capture “Dali Atomicus”, a balanced composition has still been achieved, with the cats offsetting the figure of Dali on the left. The arc of water is also a dynamic form, following thirds lines in the photo, rather than bisecting it. The composition in Skoglund’s shot also shows harmony, with a certain symmetrical quality. The chandelier and room perspective draws you into the centre of the photograph. Also, the similar images of leaping foxes balance on the left and right sides. The characters on the left third line are offset by the larger numbers of foxes on the right.

Perhaps the most obvious difference between these two images is Skoglund’s use of colour. This has been used to great effect, bringing the foxes out of the grey confines of the room and emphasising them. Even the colour of the people’s flesh is brought out by the drabness of the rest of the room. This links the people with the foxes, but further separates the hidden grey fox (near the centre of the photograph) from it’s companions. Skoglund has shown her enthusiasm for bright colours contrasting with bland greys in many other images, such as “Germs are Everywhere” and “Revenge of the Goldfish”. Halsman’s use of high contrast black and white film must also be recognised as an effective device, in my opinion, enhancing the surreal value of the photograph.

The concept of “Fox Games” is less clear than that in “Dali Atomicus”. Halsman wanted to create an image where “everything should be in suspension, as in the atom”, similar to Dali’s painting “Leda Atomicus” (seen in the background). Skoglund, however, raises many questions. The audience wonders why the people eating their meal are not phased by the foxes in the room, and also why the grey fox, melding into the background should be cautious and invisible to the others with it’s food. The red foxes are separated due to their playful activities. Perhaps the grey fox not joining in with the games of the others symbolises independence, along with the independence of the people: alone in the restaurant. Through this, the grey fox bears more relation to the people eating than the rest of it’s species.

The difference in time between each photo is also quite significant. Halsman was pioneering surreality with his image, whereas the genre had been well established by the time of Skoglund’s scene. Both images seem very experimental however, exploring interesting ideas and themes which are common between them.

In conclusion, these two images are most similar in terms of their surreal nature. Both explore the idea of frozen movement, but each has done so in a slightly different way. In terms of subject matter, both images also include animals to enhance the surreality of the scene: removing animals from their traditional habitats (You don’t often find entangled cats flying through the air). Finally, both images give a slightly different message to it’s audience. Halsman has been very obvious with his intent to create an artistic, dynamic scene. Whereas Skoglund’s thoughts are more ambiguous, and the audience is left to wonder at the significance of many aspects of the scene.

_{Grade achieved: A-}

_{Teacher’s comments: Very interesting, you are uncovering a relationship well worth looking into practicaly. Find out more about Skoglund’s meaning.}

_{References: “The Photo Book”.}