K-141: More than a snapshot

I'm not sure what it says about me, but I've always been captivated by those hopeless situations you see on the news—the boy that falls down the well…the miners trapped in the collapse…the people stuck for days in an elevator—that kind of thing. I'm sure it points to some deep psychological flaw or something, but it should be noted that I always root for a safe resolution, which seems, unfortunately, to be the exception.

Five or six years ago I was riveted to the developments in the Barents Sea where the Russian submarine Kursk exploded and sank to the ocean floor. Though most of the crew perished in the initial incident, 23 sailors survived in a stern compartment for a while and there were hopes for a rescue. Several attempts were made, but the sailors ultimately succumbed.

It wasn’t until after I came home from a trip to Italy last spring that I realized a picture I took of what I thought was interesting stencil graffiti was actually a tribute to the crew of the Kursk. If you look at the artwork you'll see the number "K-141," which is the Kursk’s number and the words “АПЛ Курск,” which is Kursk in Russian. The 12 men in the stencil are members of the crew that are actually from the town of Kursk.

When I first saw the image it kind of stunned me…I remember almost recoiling, then taking out my camera. Even without comprehending it, it makes a strong impression and after connecting the dots to the Kursk it takes on a chilling, indelible quality.

While some people would dismiss street graffiti as vandalism—which I, as a rule, detest, particularly in an old-world city like Venice—there’s something about this that rises above. For me anyway.

I even made a t-shirt about it.