James Vitullo’s staged image imparts powerful symbolism
On view through August 3 at the Naples Art Association is the Camera USA 2018 National Photography Exhibition. Among the 75 images juried into this year’s show is Four Feet Under by James Vitullo. It is a staged narrative image that encapsulates a story inspired by Gregory Crewdson, who stages haunting, cinematic photos of alienation and eerie quietude in suburban settings or 
in elaborately detailed American homes, interiors and neighborhoods.
In Vitullo’s staged narrative image, a couple is depicted in the aftermath of an argument. Seated on the ledge of a hot tub, the man blunts his anger with a combination of alcohol and tobacco. Lost in his thoughts, he sits in silence seemingly unaware that his girlfriend 
stands at the door, bathed in the warm light of their new home.
Peering through that open door, the woman tries to decide whether she should follow her boyfriend outside in an attempt to resolve their dispute. The stakes are high. The couple is on the brink of a momentous, life-altering decision.
“The term six feet under is about death and burying a corpse according to that depth,” Vitullo explains. “This couple’s relationship is four feet under. It is at the point where they could end it by saying one more sentence, word, or phrase, or they could save it before their love is buried under the dirt. The pool toy symbolizes that they have the ability to save the relationship and strengthen it at any moment 
in time, but the man does not notice it, is not even impacted by it whatsoever.”
Replete with other symbolism (read here for more), Four Feet Under underscores Vitullo’s abiding fascination with the way in which still images can freeze time between before-and-after moments, leaving a central, unresolved question.
For more on James Vitullo, read here.
July 4, 2018.
For more, follow these links:
- Camera USA 2018 on view at Naples Art Association through August 3, 2018
- Raleigh photographer Christer Berg wins 2018 National Photography Award
- Focus on Camera USA 2018 Merit Award winner Lisette Morales
- Focus on Camera USA 2018 Merit Award winner Constance Brinkley
- Focus on Camera USA 2018 exhibitor Steve Conley
- Focus on Dennis Church’s Camera USA 2018 entry ‘Royal Poinciana Tree’
- For Cape Coral photographer Roy Rodriguez, ‘Memories are Like Reflections’
- Brian Malloy’s follow up to last year’s award-winning image is a ‘Knockout’
- Focus on photographer Lance Long’s Camera USA 2018 entry ‘Dust from Dance’
- Christine Cook’s Camera USA 2018 image provides connection to her historical and personal past
- Focus on Naples photographer Cynthia Taft’s Camera USA 2018 image, ‘Albert at Work’
- Wisconsin photographer Christopher Priebe’s ‘Marcella’ portrays inner strength, grace and nobility
- Meet Camera USA 2018 judge Christopher Jones
- Meet Camera USA 2018 judge Mark Sloan
- Meet Camera USA 2018 judge Paula Tognarelli
- Camera USA judges sound off on this year’s submissions
About the Author
Tom Hall is both an amateur artist and aspiring novelist who writes art quest thrillers. He is in the final stages of completing his debut novel titled "Art Detective," a story that fictionalizes the discovery of the fabled billion-dollar Impressionist collection of Parisian art dealer Josse Bernheim-Jeune, thought by many to have perished during World War II when the collection's hiding place, Castle de Rastignac in southern France, was destroyed by the Wehrmacht in reprisal for attacks made by members of the Resistance operating in the area. A former tax attorney, Tom holds a bachelor's degree as well as both a juris doctorate and masters of laws in taxation from the University of Florida. Tom lives in Estero, Florida with his fiancee, Connie, and their four cats.