The "Mexican" Meyer
In his "Mexican" images, Meyer evokes a spirit of play and
paradox, but draws upon the country's rich heritage in doing so, making
greater use of historical motifs. "Live Broadcast . . . , " (San
Juan Mixtepec, Oaxaca 1990 / 93)," for example, juxtaposes past and
present in a crowded frame, forcing the viewer to sort out its elements.
To
the left, a boy holds a wooden box in front of his face, as if he were
appearing on television. To the right, continuing this idea in an act of
symmetry, is a television set, another framing device, but one constructed
through technology. The wall behind the television is covered with the
emblems of Christian iconography, portraying Jesus in a number of votive
images. The different forms of representation serve as a reminder that
narrative content varies according to how we perceive it. In addition,
this image comments on Meyer's method itself, emphasizing the "frame"
(the metaphoric level) surrounding the pictorial space.