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Alec Finlay, Frankie and Johnnie, 2007 |
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21. FRANKIE BY MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT, 1928 REMIX: ALEC FINLAY, FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE, 2007 This song tells the tale of a woman Frankie, who discovers her man Johnnie is being unfaithful to her and shoots him dead. Frankie is then arrested. This photograph depicts an anonymous man and a woman in plain underwear, with paired woven name labels referring to the doomed lovers of the title track. Seeing these figures, vulnerable in their undressed state, reminds us of Johnnie’s infidelity and may refer to the fact that in some versions of the song Frankie conceals her gun in her knickers – confusing gender identities in much the same way as the names themselves do. The song’s refrain says, "This story has no moral, this story has no end, this story only goes to show, that there ain't no good in men"; here though 'crest' and 'cleft' seem to find some form of equality, despite their obvious differences. Alec Finlay is an artist, poet and publisher based in Newcastle upon Tyne, who has recently exhibited at Milton Keynes Gallery, The Sainsbury Centre and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. His work explores the different ways that we read in contemporary culture. www.alecfinlay.com |
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