American photographer Diane Arbus has been described as the most radical photographer of the 20trh century. Her specialty was photographing marginalized or unusual looking people: circus performers, sideshow "freaks", prostitutes, nudists. Arbus took many noteworthy photographs of unusual people throughout her career, but this photograph of an awkward-looking child clutching a toy hand grenade remains one of her most enigmatic images. She has been accused of blatant sensationalism because of her preference for photographing these subjects. Much has been written and theorized about her attraction to the subjects she sought out, and I've linked some of these resources below. She is considered one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, and her images have been displayed in MOMA, the Met, and most other prestigious venues. She had her own demons, and in 1971 committed suicide while still in her 40s.

"Child With A Toy Hand Grenade"€ is considered her most famous image. A signed print of this image of a rather peculiar looking child standing in Central Park holding a toy grenade, sold for $785,000 in 2015. Please share your thoughts about this unusual image. These questions may help you formulate your ideas.

1. Do you find this image appealing? Disturbing? How does it make you feel and why?
2. Does the selection of a child subject have affect your opinion in any way?
3. What do you think of the composition? The angle? The presentation?
4. What do you think about its recent monetary evaluation at $785,000? Is the value justified? Why or why not?
5. How do you feel about pictures of "€œmarginalized people€"? Do you take them yourself? Do share them? Feel free to share one of your images, or link to images of "marginalized people" that you think are quality images.

Links to Learn More
https://www.lomography.com/magazine/255096-influential-photographs-child-with-toy-hand-grenade-in-central-park-1962-by-diane-arbus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Arbus
https://www.thecut.com/2016/07/diane-arbus-c-v-r.html
http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2016/diane-arbus
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/06/06/diane-arbus-portrait-of-a-photographer
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-arbus-diane-artworks.htm

Note: I'll be away for a couple of weeks, and am unsure how much internet access I'll have, so please don't feel unappreciated if my responses on this thread are a bit erratic. My husband and I will be with Graham and RG so, internet or not, we'll be in good hands and we'll be having fun in Scotland!