I love the feeling of coming across photographs that grab
you and move you from the moment you encounter them. That is exactly how I felt
viewing Maila Elan’s series looking at homosexuality in Vietnam on the
Lenscratch blog. They capture the most beautiful intimacy and she highlights
the normalcy of their daily lives. From bathing to watching TV, she makes these
figures familiar and almost recognizable. The artist eloquently discusses her
desire to show the simplicity of love and affection. I can’t help but feel that
with such a high divorce rate and the unhappy couples seen so frequently, that
his message is an important one. Anyone who can successfully find another
person (of what ever sex) should be given the opportunity to enjoy that love
without fear of judgment. As the artist mentions, while homosexuals may not be
persecuted, they are still not receiving the “recognition” or “encouragement”
to enjoy and express their love. Her photographs shed light on the everyday
lives of gay couples, often misunderstood, by taking candid photographs in
their private homes. His overall aesthetic suggests intimacy rather than
idealization. He focuses on the small gestures and details which hint at real
affection between two people. In this sense, I think they are empowering and
honest images.
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