Reproduction and Abortion Rights - Image Series C

 

Tonika Lewis Johnson’s Folded MapTM

 Tonika Lewis Johnson’s Folded Map^TM connects people of matching addresses in North and South Chicago to show urban segregation looks within the city. Johnson’s goal was to create a dialogue about the effects of a socially and racially segregated city. Her project has brought on awareness of the issues as pushes for change and a solution. The project is still being worked on by Johnson and the images can be seen on https://www.foldedmapproject.com/tonika-bio.

Earlier this month, well-known photographer Alec Soth’s work “The Great Divide” was commissioned and published in The New York Times juxtaposing different areas in Chicago. Finding it almost identical to her work, Johnson accused Alec Soth “of copying her trademarked photography series” (Seymour). While Soth apologized, he said "From what I can tell, Tonika Johnson’s work has nothing to do with Streeterville. Her work is about comparing two addresses, one on the North Side of Chicago and one on the South. Streeterville is downtown. Moreover, I wasn’t making side-by-side comparisons. My photographs were only arranged as pairs by the photo editors, but they aren’t linked as addresses" (Seymour). Yes, to his credit they are exactly the same, the concept and idea bear a striking resemblance to the Folded MapTM project.

Seymour, Tom. Magnum Photographer Alec Soth Defends Similarities with Work by Chicago Artist     Tonika Johnson. 15 Sept. 2020, www.theartnewspaper.com/news/magnum-photographer-alec-soth-may-face-legal-action-after-plagiarism-claim-from-chicago-artist-tonika-johnson.

"Address Pairs"

I was not expecting to learn how resistant Alec Soth was to truly accept fault with his comments on the situation, he beats around the bush without actually apologizing. I would expect better from a well-known photographer with influence in the industry to set a better example and understand the importance of Johnson’s project and what it stood for.

Overpopulation, Spay/Neuter, & Marcus Bleasdale

Animal overpopulation is the oversaturation of animals in communities and shelters when there are more animals than time and resources can handle and because of that, so many animals are euthanized each year. At the root of this issue is the lack of enforcing spay and neuter practices to prevent accidental litters and control populations.

Montgomery County 2019 numbers: Dogs In 1936, Out 552, Euthanized 1384. Cats In 1312, Out 114, Euthanized 1198. Raccoons In 64, Out 0, Euthanized 64. Opossums In 55, Out 0, Euthanized 55. Montgomery County 2014 number: Dogs In 843, Out 415, Euthanized 428. Cats In 369, Out 36, Euthanized 333. 

The idea that “they’re just something you have in your yard” and that they are replaceable property is a common belief in the South and in agricultural counties like Montgomery County (Dogland, 46). It is also very uncommon to spay or neuter animals especially when it is believed that “an intact dog was meaner” and that what was preferred in some cases (Dogland, 46). From 2014 to 2019 we still see a majority of the cats and dogs that come in being euthanized just on a bigger scale, that increase in animal intake is most likely a result of so many accidental litters that come from these pets that are not spayed or neutered. There are just too many animals coming in, the shelter gets overwhelmed, and it’s the animals that pay the price.

 I would address spay/neuter programs because it is the root of the overpopulation of animals. If we want to tackle this issue, we have to start at the source. If I had to time and resources, I would want to photography a series of animals and their quality of life before and after being spayed or neutered to show the positive impact it has on the life and health of the animal. Marcus Bleasdale’s work showing the realities in areas of conflict and where human rights are oppressed have been shown in the Senate and at the UN to influence decision making on national and global policies.

Marcus Bleasdale, Machete collected by African Union troops in the disarmament process, https://www.marcusbleasdale.com/unravelling-gallery/lj2kp1brni1y4ul1tlcsha70xm4veb