John Milisenda has photographed his family for over 35 years. He has created a poignant glimpse of what “reality shows” could be. This photo essay revolves around John’s developmentally disabled brother Dennis and the family’s challenges, joys and sorrows. Dennis’ disability was caused by delayed birth, resulting in oxygen deprivation and subsequent brain damage.
The picnic scene is reminiscent of Manet's Luncheon on the Grass. The figures are close yet detached. Dennis is “elated” and exerting his power, as his father Sal lounges (appearing distant or despondent). His Mother Rose sits like a Buddha figure, as if meditating and transcending. “John cuts deep into ordinary emotions like irritation, amusement, and despondency, getting as close as a photographer can get to the fine grain of reality,’” writes Michael Weinstein of the Chicago Cultural Center.
The image, with the beautiful still life table and warm family celebration, is reminiscent of paintings by Jan Steen, the Dutch genre painter. The photograph is tonally rich and the light is magnificent. In this image, Dennis sits in his own world, looking away from his family and smiling at his hand. Conversely, the cast of supporting characters are touching and interacting socially - love, connection, celebration, compassion, and acceptance surround Dennis, yet he is seemingly removed from it all.
The third image suggests a primal garden (Eden-like) and Sal bridges the physical and psychological gap through his reaching gesture; they are so close, yet so distant (one of John’s re-occurring themes). The fourth photograph illustrates a delayed “final passage” for Dennis and a remarkable moment for his mom’ s (Rose’s) exaltation. Dennis was first shaved by family members and then assisted by family members. Years later, he shaved alone in the mirror and then finally shaved unassisted by his family or the mirror. The “little things” become monumental triumphs and are cause for celebration.
John Milisenda received his BFA (with honors) from Pratt Institute and has taught photography courses at numerous colleges in the New York City area. His photographs are in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art, The Brooklyn Museum, the New York Public Library, Museum of the City of New York; The New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, LN; The Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; and The Municipal Center Brno and Prague House of Photography in the Czech Republic. He has participated in over 125 solo and group exhibitions; his most recent solo shows include the SRO Gallery, Texas Technical University, Lubbock, TX; Italian American Museum, New York, NY; Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, Il; and The Stephen Cohen Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.