jealous is the wrong word

This is some incredibly powerful work… for something that isn’t even technically art. These photos were taken a few days ago by the US Marshall’s Office. They are the belongs of Ted Kaczynski {aka The Unabomber}, which are being auctioned off by the US Government this week. Creepy? Absolutely. But, strangely enough, they’re also really beautiful photographs. I think it’s probably this dichotomy that makes them so captivating. It may also be that, on first glance, they look like “collections of common objects” – something that a lot of artists are assembling, and photographing these days. However, once you know the context, it’s difficult to look at these images without feeling somewhat nauseous.

{All of the money raised in the auction is going to the victims’ families. Does that make it slightly less disturbing that these items are being sold? // I found this story through a tweet from Meighan of my love for you, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.}






comments (5)

  1. Kathleen /// 05.21.2011 /// 6:35am

    Wasn’t some of his art and/or sketchbooks released too?

  2. the jealous curator /// 05.21.2011 /// 7:49am

    oh, i’m not sure. i’ll look into it… although, i’m so creeped out by all of this, i’m not sure how much more i want to know, ya know?

  3. lizzie /// 05.22.2011 /// 3:41pm

    What a strange…strange auction. Although it’s interesting and I love the photos…the photos might be cooler than the stuff itself…would you really wear the unabomber’s sunglasses?

  4. the jealous curator /// 05.22.2011 /// 4:52pm

    no. no i would not.

  5. Shirley /// 05.26.2011 /// 12:36pm

    Wow, this is interesting. I agree with what you are saying… really makes you go hmm…