Puppy between Feet 1999

Editor: Roger Ballen's "Puppy between Feet" is a striking black and white photograph. The contrast between the weathered feet and the fragile puppy is quite arresting. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ballen often uses stark imagery to explore themes of isolation and marginalization. The puppy becomes a symbol of vulnerability amidst harsh realities. Consider how the feet, signifiers of labor and grounding, frame this creature. Does this juxtaposition evoke particular feelings or ideas? Editor: It highlights the puppy's fragility. I didn't consider the feet as symbols. Curator: The image is an exploration of contrasting symbolic relationships, inviting us to contemplate our own place within these structures. Editor: I see the photograph in a new light now. Thanks for your interpretation. Curator: A photograph layered with meaning—Ballen's work is always worth exploring.