Psychological and sociological research has shown that western cultures display individualist conceptions of self, while indigenous cultures often feature a collectivist perspective. The ideas of ownership explored by Siwes and Klein reflect this divide—while Klein, a Frenchman, claims sole ownership of a color, Siwes, an aboriginal Australian, reflects on the historically communal ownership of land.

Makhubu, Sherman and Siwes all play with the false veracity of photography with different techniques. Sherman plays with humorously staged scenes and spaces, while Makhubu creates a kind of double exposure by projecting old photographs within her own images. Meanwhile, Siwes uses long exposure frames to create a ghostly atmosphere.