The artists in this show demonstrate empathy and familiarity for these figures, by either assuming the role as passive witness or taking an active role as collaborator. (jamesharrisgallery.com)
One sees Ruscha's agency more readily in the prints, where in the photographs his cool, almost passive witnessing is more the point. (artinprint.org)
He was, however, no passive witness to the unfolding tragedy. (religion-online.org)