Barbara Crane 1975

This small black and white photograph by Mike Mandel is called Barbara Crane. Immediately, I notice the strong diagonal created by Crane's arm and the cue, which draws the eye right across the image. The grainy texture adds a rawness, a sense of immediacy, like a snapshot caught on the fly. The greyscale creates a particular mood. It emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow, flattening the image in a way that highlights form and gesture. The composition feels almost accidental, yet the focus on Crane's intense gaze suggests a deliberate intention. Mandel's work often plays with the idea of portraiture, subverting expectations, and I think this piece encapsulates that perfectly. It reminds me a little of John Baldessari's conceptual photography – both artists share a playful approach to image-making. Ultimately, the beauty of art lies in its ambiguity, it's ability to evoke different feelings and interpretations.