Sally Mann and Morality

Discuss how Mann challenges issues of morality in contemporary society.

Sally Mann challenges issues of morality in contemporary society by creating controversial, thought provoking photographs. Mann’s images are so controversial in nature that they cannot be ignored. Many of her images, including those from the series ‘At Twelve’ are of children in provocative poses, sexualised and empowered. Stereotypically, children should be innocent, naive and pure, yet Mann’s photographs suggest otherwise. Her images from the series ‘At Twelve’ display an impure side of children and represent all that it is unacceptable for a child to be in contemporary society. ‘At Twelve’ documents twelve-year-old girls in the stage between childhood and adulthood, between purity and impurity. Society says that twelve-year-old girls should be sweet and pure, but Mann’s image challenges these stereotypes by demonstrating how they may also be strong and self empowered.

In this image from her series ‘At Twelve’, Sally Mann creates controversy and provokes thought by juxtaposing the innocence of a child with the maturity of an adult. This photograph is similar to Manet’s ‘Olympia’, 1863, in how the subject looks directly at the viewer with a confident gaze. The girl’s facial expression and provocative pose convey to the viewer that she is empowered and self-assured. Manet’s ‘Olympia’, however, is a painting of a prostitute, though both the subjects convey the

same bold and confident air that creates such controversy in our society. The reason boldness and confidence in art create controversy in contemporary society is that it leaves no room for different beliefs and opinions; a concrete idea is simply handed to the viewer to contemplate. Often people are disturbed when they have no say in a moral matter, and that is when controversy is created.

Another way this image challenges morality is by creating contrast through its visual nature. The photograph is black and white and gloomy, in contrast to notions of childhood, which is represented by light, colour and movement. The subject of the photograph is clearly posed; this picture is not candid. This adds to the bold and demanding air of the image, and helps Sally Mann to challenge issues of morality in contemporary society.