Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Long Grey Line











   

The gentle swoosh of a fine amber spirit splashing smoothly over sparkling and flawless frozen cubes follows the delicate tinkle of cold, clear diamonds dropping into a crystal glass. A lighthearted tune feebly crackles out of the small black radio placed on the bedside table, barely heard over the buoyant voices of the young members of the Brotherhood. They drift and lounge about the room conversing freely, tightly clutching expensive bottles of liquor. Clothed in handsome custom threads, sporting glitzy watches and flashy ties and ornate rings, they casually press quickly emptying glasses to eager lips. Two mellow lamps cast expansive, golden circles across the tastefully furnished room, illuminating each man’s fresh, almost tranquil face. The silly antics of two of their number force wide grins across their Brothers’ calm faces, and it’s not long before the entire room is in a joyous uproar. The booming laughter of the young men starts deep within them. It bursts forth from the depths of their souls—bouncing reverberating echoing resonating inside their hearts and minds, rising to flushed cheeks and twinkling eyes—and explodes from the goofy grins plastered to their faces. Yet behind the relaxed smiles and carefree chuckles, a somber specter skulks. The ghostly apparition of Grey walls and battlements and Grey towers and turrets, against a Grey sky scattered with Grey clouds, always lurks in the back of each of the Brothers’ minds, reminding them of their ultimate purpose.
            These are not ordinary young men.
Clean-cut. Competent. Cocksure. Closely cropped hair frames confident faces, above brawny necks that sit atop broad shoulders, as calloused hands protrude from tailored cuffs. They move with the poised self-assurance of lifelong athletes, each movement calculated and deliberate. Their eyes, though sparkling with happiness, are momentarily dulled by a flash of Grey, betraying a deeper, darker sentiment—this glowing moment of carelessness and bliss only a brief respite from the constant presence of the Grey constantly following them. No matter what their various reasons are for subjecting themselves to the Grey, they are forever bound by the Grey.
And they are bound by Duty.
And they are bound by Honor.
And they are bound by Country.
Within Grey walls, constant frustration, depression, and failure clashes with exhilaration, appreciation, and commitment to mold the Brotherhood into the finest, most loyal, most knowledgeable, most disciplined young men alive. Through constant subjugation of any individual thought, the Grey somehow produces freethinking leaders of exemplary caliber.
            Sacrifice. Pride. Integrity.
            Duty.
            Honor.
            Country.
They are the Brotherhood. They are the Long Grey Line.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

LIFE RIDES WITH THE HELLS ANGELS



http://life.time.com/culture/never-seen-hells-angels-1965/#1



If the purpose of a photo essay is to convey a certain story or evoke a particular set of emotions in the viewer, this series of photographs easily and artfully accomplishes this objective. These thirty four images of the outlaw motorcycle club, the Hells Angels, captured by photographer Bill Ray in the mid-1960s, instantly instilled a sense of intense longing deep within me. The exact derivation of this of this yearning proves to be somewhat of a mystery at first, yet by examining these photos more closely, I’m able to pinpoint the desires and emotions conjured by these powerful images of outlaw freedom.

The pure, I-don’t-care attitude of the fallen angels and their old ladies is captured in each and every photograph. Carefree facial expressions and relaxed body positions are contrasted with the often extreme nature of their actions and dissent of their law abiding and enforcing counterparts. Whether they’re slyly smiling, helmetless and defiant, flipping off the photographer while on the back of a motorcycle hurtling down the open road like a bat out of hell, or rebelliously smirking while receiving a rough pat-down or interrogation by an obviously disgruntled and uncomfortable policeman, the Hells Angels always appear calm, collected and disinterested.

The stark disparity between the untroubled, insolent attitude of the outlaws with the clear discomfort of upstanding members of society forced to interact with the Angels is emphasized by the usage of black and white photography. Strict usage of blacks and whites and grays suggests the sheer extent of separation between the outlaws and the society they’ve shunned, playing into the constant reminder of the risky life these men lead. By displaying a series of black and white photographs containing a pictures of a leather-clad young man drinking beer from a garbage can, a tranquil-faced daredevil pulling a wheelie with his old lady bravely holding on, tense police standoffs, painful hospital visits, two tough guys seemingly kissing for shock value, and countless bandits with wild eyes and tousled hair riding iron horses, the photographer appears to imply a certain message—

True freedom can only be attained by not giving a fuck.

A desire for this true freedom is the longing I felt when I first gazed upon this gritty, honest photo essay. These photographs encapsulate my craving to give up everything to gain everything, to reject common law and create my own set of rules. I want to not give a fuck.