Morgan Chambers Library Book

Sophie Calle’s collection of photography Blind contains three segments of her work. She begins
with pictures of the blind, and their descriptions of the most beautiful thing in the world followed
by an image of described beauty. The second segment includes the blind and their descriptions
of what they see in their life of darkness. The book ends with photographs of the visually disabled,
and the last image they remember before going blind. Calle’s three works of the blind depict her love
for showing vulnerability in humans.

Calle grew up in France during the 1960’s which influenced her images. Although it is unclear
whether Calle was professionally trained, she did become a photography professor at a university
in Switzerland. During her early teenage years, Calle was affected by Oulipo. Because Calle was
impacted by the French literary movement, her photos typically portray human vulnerability such
as Blind and a collection labeled Take Care of Yourself about her heartbreak. Other collections of
hers include examinations of identity and affection. Similar to Blind, Calle’s work usually contains
text to tell the story of her photos. It seems she does not want her images to mean just anything;
rather, Calle has a specific meaning for the photographs she makes.

Without focusing on any backstories, the photo that caught my eye the most was of a blind little
boy. Personally, I liked this photo most from the three collections. Although every photo of the
blind pulled on my heart strings, making a photograph of an impaired child affects a person in a
more intense way. Calle’s image of the young boy made me stop and actually think about the
meaning behind her work more than any of the other pictures. Most of Calle’s subject were of
adults or the elderly, but this one subject is just a child. The photo forced me to be grateful for the
life I have and showed the true helplessness of a human despite how in control we may feel.
I believe Calle’s intentions were to show a human in its most vulnerable state. Because children
are already so trusting, they are fragile to life’s harshness. Adding the trait of blindness makes
this young boy more vulnerable than already vulnerable children. Using a child also evokes
pathos from Calle’s audience. She knew to make a picture of a child to evoke emotions.

Although the first segment of Blind was created over three decades ago, it still has a
tremendous impact today. Calle’s work will continue to have great meaning for as long
as people are willing to view photography.