Richard Mosse born in 1980, Kilkenny, Ireland.

The infrared film used by Mosse had military application and helped distinguish between foliage and camouflage hence the interesting tones and colours shown in the work. (KODAK AEROCHROME) This ‘Infra” project was shot in the Democratic Republic of Congo and subsequently published in a book called ‘Infra.’

However I am not sure of the message that Mosse is trying to convey by using this film. It would appear that Mosse is trying to document a war and the only message I can get from this use of film is in the image above where the blood red background could be indicative of the blood lost in the conflict. The other work with  the colour shift just serves to get in the way of any message this work is attempting to give. Pink grass and foliage can be taken anywhere. Maybe this is an attempt to question whether photographers have a responsibility to produce serious documentary work in the vein of Don McCullan or whether they can use a conflict zone full of human suffering as a personal art project is the question. I am sure Mosse felt he was finding a deeper meaning in the work by using this film stock but I cannot see it.

Photography as an art form is about experimentation but I think that this project went too far. If you wish to enjoy working in infrared do not choose such a serious subject to experiment with. The image below is a fine study of a child soldier, how does the ‘bubble gum’ pink foliage help in this message. Surely this image should be showing the tragedy of a boy whose childhood has been ripped from him by the political problems in his land, not funny colours.

I can understand the argument that it may be possible for the more visually literate to see beyond the characteristics of the film,  but good documentary work is to inform as clearly as possible and this shift into Infrared clouds the issues and may just be seen as a gimmick or a poor attempt at a film still for ‘A Day of the Triffids.’

It is some small comfort that the film has been discontinued and I hope that Mosse cannot get hold of anymore.

Bibliography -

http://www.richardmosse.com/

http://www.thedoublenegative.co.uk/2012/04/richard-mosse-infra-reviewed/