This collection of photos was taken in the psychiatric hospital in the 70s. The residents of this facility were mentally ill and needed assistance. It is very unlikely to capture the essence of a mental hospital but Mary Ellen Mark was able to. The lack of items in the room is a common characteristic of a mental hospital. I chose a black and white photo of a patient kissing a photograph. I am unsure if the man in her photo is a celebrity or someone she personally knew. Who he is doesn’t matter because it is what she is doing that is intriguing. Many of these patients deal with severe psychiatric disorders such as being bipolar or having schizophrenia. They live in their own heads and the confines of a bubble-wrapped room. They experience extensive amounts of medication and therapy but they have been taken from the real world. They are alone and in desperate need of company whether it be platonic or romantic. The close-up portrait focuses on her facial expression. The innocence of this woman kissing the photograph is shone on her face. She is incredibly lonely and probably isolated. She looks sad and like she needs a hug more then a bottle of pills. As strongly as I believe in mental health rehabilitation, I do not know if anyone can grow while being ex-communicated from the world. This woman is strong and is probably hoping to get a hug and a kiss when she is released from the ward.
