Mollie Schaidt Weekly Post 7

Thomas Kiefer

1. Kiefer's technical choices in his work were to document items taken from illegal immigrants by the US border control that were said to be, "non-essential". Displaying the items in a orderly fashion with a background that compliments the object. The images are taken straight on; which I believe shows the details in each item. The collection would sometimes take weeks to make, and a single photo could take hours to capture.
2. El Sueno Americano, or The American Dream by Thomas Kiefer chose to document items confiscated from immigrants trying to seek freedom in American. Kiefer a part-time janitor at the US border control mentioned that these items are deeply valued. These are someones personal items and all that they decided to bring with them. Kiefer strives for people to show empathy and realize how little things like this can be taken for granted. 
3. My reaction to Kiefer's series of images really caused me to think about all that I abuse just because it is so accessible. I also chose these certain images because I found it amazing how immigrants trying to come to America for a better life come with just the shirt on their back. Also with just a simple item such as a spoon to eat, or gloves to work. I feel like it really shows the mindset of the people that come to America illegally--they are here to try and work hard, and possibly make a better life for themselves and their families. These are possessions that they will never see again and it was all they had, and for Americans to say that their items of value are not valuable in their eyes speaks to me a lot.