I was fortunate to catch the story on 20/20 about Kevin Connelly, a photographer and professional athlete (Note: there is much to comment on regarding the program's portrayal of Connelly, but I want this post to be more about Connelly and less about media criticism). Connelly, who won a silver medal in the X-Games for mono skiing, lives in Bozeman, MT. Using his winnings, Connelly indulged his travel bug, and took approximately 36,000 photographs along the way.
Connelly's gaze is particularly important because of its vantage point, and because of what stares back into it. Connelly was born without legs, and primarily uses a skateboard for personal locomotion. As he maneuvers himself with his left hand, which is also used for propulsion, he maintains balance with his right hand while simultaneously snapping photographs with the camera. The camera is in his right hand, generally.
There is an excellent literature in disability studies on the gaze, explored through critical analysis of literature as well as of visual media like art, dance, and performance studies. What Connelly stares back into is the freakifying gaze of passers-by as they gawk at him. In the interview, Connelly, who was articulate, forthcoming, and insightful, indicated that, on the one hand, he understands the curiousity underlying the gaze. Yet, on the other, he was getting tired of all the unadulterated stares, and so he began taking pictures as a means of gazing back. What stories are his interlocutors constructing? How do they make meaning of what they see before them (Connelly)?
What's more, Connelly manages to keep the gazes appropriately contextualized. The narratives his subjects construct vary widely with culture and context. As he notes on his web site:
1 year ago I was asked by a little boy in Christchurch, New Zealand if I had been eaten by a shark.
2 months ago I was asked by an elderly woman in Sighisoara, Romania if I had lost my legs in a car accident.
6 weeks ago I was asked by a bar patron in Helena, Montana if I still wore my dog tags from Iraq.
Everyone tries to create a story in their heads to explain the things that baffle them.
One should not lose sight of the quality of the art: Connelly is a talented photographer. The expressions of his subjects, Connelly's use of art in a performative, empowering way, to stare back at those who stare at him, comes together in a collage of cultures, faces, and stories.
Recommended.
Kevin:
When I saw your video, I immediately thought of my brother. My brother has had Multiple Scerolsis for the past 20 years. He refuses to use a wheelchair out of concern of what others may see in him. It is very painful for me to have witnessed his lifestyle all these years. He has a caregiver and is pretty much confined to his bed and he is only 55 years old. Your vidio brought tears to my eyes not because of your condition but because there are so many human beings out there with complaints abound, about such trivial things in their lives. My only wish for them is to have your video close at hand and watch it from time to time to remind themselves how lucky they really are and that the geatest JOY in life is in living on own own terms and not care what others think-I am soooo in AWE of you and my wishes for you are to continue adding to your great adventures in the future.
Posted by: Pati Miller | March 21, 2008 at 02:14 PM
It was truly a privilege to hear Kevin speak at our annual All Staff meeting in Polson this week! I was very impressed with his attitude, accomplishments and photographs. If everyone could meet this incredible man and hear his amazing story, the world would definitely be a better place! We need more outstanding people like Kevin! May God bless this young man and his extremely supportive and loving family abundantly!
Heidi Wadas, Billings, MT
April 18, 2008
Posted by: Heidi Wadas | April 18, 2008 at 03:16 PM