Split Screen Reality {Paris Photo}
Split Screen Reality © 2015 Chantal-Hélène Wagner
This picture was taken last year in the Parisian métro. There is a man on the left, underneath the leather jacket, holding his head in between his knees, looking literally like a shell of the man he once was...
Then, a few stops later, a father and son came to sit there, on the other side of the seat, without noticing him.
I was suddenly struck by the contrast they projected which was emphasized by the fact that both men were virtually wearing the same type and even color of leather jacket, yet signalling at the same time completely different life trajectories.
I'm surprised there were empty seats, because the Paris Metro usually are so small and usually overcrowded.
This was the middle of the day. In fact, there were plenty of people there, on the other side of the aisle and in front of me, before the doors, and elsewhere. Just not near the man. His state of destitution scared people off. I don't think anyone wanted to sit next to him. I was aware also that people might feel also uncomfortable seeing me photograph the scene, but had to and did it anyway although it was not easy at all for me as well.