John Goto is a British artist, best known for his photoshopped montage colour photography. He began using computers in his work during the early 90's with a series made in Russia. I have been looking at his series 'Gilt City' in particular as was the one that caught my eye and interested me. The series explores the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor. It was taken during the financial crisis of 2008 and the aim is to populate the streets of London with an assorted cast of significant outsiders. Goto made his first version of the series in 2002/4 and used digital montaging techniques. He showed 'insignificant' characters isolated within the busy commercial city. I like the fact that through this series he can explore the idea that two opposite classes can live together whilst highlighting just how different their lives really are. The images include a variety of different people, such as street entertainers, homeless people and drug dealers but they are shown as colourful characters against a grey corporate background.
security 2002/3
This image is playing with issues about race and representation as it shows a white male with his face painted black. He acts as guarding glass doors to a financial building but, as much as he stands to defend the building, it seems that at the same time he can also be viewed as evoking a threat. The picture is constructed to highlight division and opposition brought out through the approaching suited young male that is visible through the reflection in the glass doors. Also, the 'X' on the door serves as a barrier to the reflected figure.
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