Invisible Man

It has been my observation that classism, racism and sexism are three of the most divisive issues in contemporary American culture. Ideally, my photos may aid in heightening the awareness and effect positive change to eliminate oppression.

Invisible Man is a photo essay that was produced during the Summer of 1995. The images were photographed in the Gateway National Recreation Area; Fort Hancock - Sandy Hook, New Jersey and Fort Wadsworth - Staten Island, New York.

There were three inspirations for the photo exhibition.

• The deterioration of Fort Hancock and Fort Wadsworth since the government deactivated them in the mid 1970s.

• Ralph Ellison's novel, Invisible Man:

"I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids --- and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me ... When they approach me they only see my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination --- indeed, everything and anything except me."

• The Supreme Court's 5-4 deactivation of affirmative action on June 12, 1995 in favor of Adarand Constructors v. Pena. The court ruled that racial classifications may be used as a "narrowly tailored" remedy for identifiable past discrimination.

J. Michael Skaggs © 1995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Footprints and Invisible Man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Commute

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Window and Ladder to Ceiling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Untitled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aspiring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fifth Cannon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supreme Court Bombing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emasculation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Thinker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strange Fruit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Racial Preferences are Unfair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halt Inhuman

 

J. Michael Skaggs © 1995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New York Times, February 15, 1998 by Fred Adelson

"J. Michael Skaggs ... has the largest prints (30 by 40 inches) in the show. Emasculation is an impressive image of time-lapse photography. ... he brings to mind some of the surreal effects often used by Duane Michals. However, Mr. Skaggs is delivering a social message. Even if it is a whisper rather than a shout, the narrative enhances the interest."

 

The Star-Ledger, July 20, 1997 by Mitchell Seidel

"It is perhaps an unlikely notion to use Sandy Hook's Fort Hancock and Staten Island's Fort Wadsworth as metaphors for "Invisible Man," Ralph Ellison's seminal novel of American racism. But photographer Michael Skaggs makes it work, creating statements about our society that also succeed as visual art."

The "Invisible Man" series printed in rich, poster sized black and white is the most successful of Skaggs' work, which are on display through Aug. 31 at Newark's WBGO-FM radio station, where he is marketing manager for NPR's "JazzSet."

 

Asbury Park Press, February 19, 1997 by Travis R. Moore

"Taking aim at racial oppression ... A photographer visited Neptune High School to share his photo exhibit exploring the destructive effects of racism ... "Invisible Man," a series of 12 photos inspired by Ralph Ellison's 1952 novel of the same name, was the focus of his recent visit to Jennifer Adorno's eighth-grade class at Neptune Middle School. ... He said he hopes the exhibit makes people think. Demetri Banks, 14, said, "it definitely made him think." He admitted he didn't have much knowledge of affirmative action beforehand but had a better understanding after Skaggs' visit. "Treating people unfairly and stereotyping based on skin color is wrong," said 13-year-old John Bamburak of what he learned that day. "It's definitely a bad thing," he added referring to the revoking of affirmative action, ''because a lot of people might need it and it has helped a lot of people."