Nora's Image
I didn't really know what I was going to do when I got this assignment, but somehow this image popped up into my head and I had to find it. This is a picture of Tori Amos nursing a pig. When I first saw this image I thought it was really strange, but there was something that I liked about it too. At first it seems creepy that she is suckling a pig, but the look on her face (and the pig's) is very serene and peaceful. Both she and the pig seem very content. I'm not really sure what the intent of this image is, I assume that the photographer or Tori had something in mind, but I just like it because it is different. I think it is a positive, maternal image. The light in the image is all focused on her, the background is dark. It is a very warm light, like sunshine that especially highlights her face. Although her shirt is unbuttoned, it is not in a sexual way, it is in a natural way that is normal when breastfeeding. Also the look on her face is not sexual in any way. She is looking to the side like she is gazing out a window or something. The colors in the picture are all subdued and natural with the exception of her bright red hair, which even in this photo doesn't seem so bright.
Comments
It is also interesting to note that the 'Boys for Pele' album was written after Tori Amos experienced a miscarriage. In a way, there is a sort of "surrogate" feel implied by this image: somewhat grotesque because it is a "non-human" standing in for a "human" child (rather uncanny), as well as potentially commenting on the experience of motherhood/nursing itself.
Posted by: Beth Chekola | September 18, 2006 03:26 PM
This picture startled me a little at first because I saw the pig at a passing glance. However, this picture sparked a lot of interest in me. I have not seen a picture like this before and while it is a little disturbing, it's also very interesting because it's not a picture you would normally see. I also wonder if this is something she thought of or if it was an idea of the photographer or someone else.
Posted by: Jessica Shoemaker | September 18, 2006 10:13 PM
I am a big Tori fan and all I can share with you is my knowledge of the albums content. This album is a heavy theme based on betrayal. Betrayal from men, God, life and motherhood. It focuses a lot on personal loss and tragedy. The thing about this image is that you are right about it's in depth concept. you could do a whole thesis statement on this image. If i were a college professor in an art appreciation class I would have my students do an interpretation paper on it.
Posted by: Frankie Beckham | January 4, 2008 10:48 AM