DAY 320

SOCIAL & POLITICAL COMMENTARY

Wealth

PORTRAYING STATUS SYMBOLS

Illusion veils the true meaning of wealth. Often portrayed as a group of status symbols—cars, jewelry, property, clothing, fur—money appears to be a deciding factor of wealth in social and political context. The distribution of this financial prosperity and abundance causes wealth to become a social issue, often referred to as a social justice issue (fair and equitable treatment of all citizens). Social classes are defined by economics—who has the money and who does not.

Photographs of wealth capture elaborate displays of prosperity from weddings, to christenings, to personal events by culture—the quinceanera, the bar mitzvah—and the wearing of gold, a long-held status symbol. Color photography provides a visual experience when interacting with wealth—the glint of gold, the gleaming facets of gemstones, the liquid surface of a new vehicle. But the black and white photo will show the truth behind the glitz and block the shiny, glittering illusion. The black and white photo tells the story behind the wealth through the use of light. —MLR