Parts, Part 14, 2002.

Nikki S Lee

Photograph

At first glance of the image you can see a somber and distant looking female (Lee) with a male’s arm wrapped around her shoulder, only the gentleman’s arm is visible in the image, the two individuals appear to be in the back of a vehicle. Even by looking at the image for a short period you can infer that there are levels of tension between the two and the dynamic of their relationship is open for debate/discussion.

I believe the image is about providing an insight into the relationship between the two individuals shown within the image, revealing hints of friction between the two, indicated by the body language shown in the photograph. I believe the image wants to show how the female figure (Lee) is distant both physically (shown by the physical gap between her and the male figure) and mentally shown through her distant gaze and somber expression. There is evidently a physical gap between the two but also an emotional gap as shown by the female (Lee) turning away from the man and looking rather uncomfortable. The body language allows the viewer to question the dynamic of the relationship of the couple in the photograph, either an argument or perhaps unwanted affection comes to mind.

To understand the context of this singular image (part 14) we must look at the context for the entire series Parts. Lee’s Parts is about creating scenes between male and female couples and having the viewer create their own narrative on the couples and illustrate their own theory on the scenario taking place. Thus when looking at the photograph (part 14) we can see that there is a tense scenario taking place but it is the interpretation of the viewer that dictates what the details of the scene are, whether it be a dispute between the couple or a female receiving unwanted male attention thus she is uncomfortable.

My own personal interpretation of the image is that there is an emotional gap/distance between the couple. The body language shows that the female (Lee) shown in the photograph is physically not wanting to be close to the male in the vehicle. Judging by the melancholy in her expression there is a great sense of her being uncomfortable in this situation, there are also hints of longing in her facial expression and I interpret this as her wanting to be anywhere else than in the back of this car.

References:

http://www.e-flux.com/announcements/41689/nikki-s-lee/