Thoughts on Jay Fielding at Andrea Meislin

The first glance at the first picture on the wall in the gallery is unlike all the others in most respects. It appears surreal, the eye of a child occupying the bottom of the photograph. The child's gaze wanders off to something above him. The catch, as one finds out after reading the gallery placard, is that the child is blind. The soft lighting and the blurred backgound beg for the viewer to look inward and conceptualize that empty gaze. The child appears healathy and aware. We must remember that without sight the other senses are heightened and stronger. It is interesting that the nature of art, the aspect of art, relies so heavily on what the subject, this boy is neglected. This picture is unlike the others in that the others create and approach that confronts the viewer with the horrific and strange appearances and expressions of the other children. It is obvious that these children are unusual. In #692, the child appears with a disturbing face and eyes. The girl looks shocked or tensed with fear. The foreground is blurred as if asking the question, "Is she aware of what's there?" One of the more endearing shoes captures two little girls whispering and giggling ( as little girls do). The only thing that betrays their condition is their blank white gaze.