What *is* it?
By far the most asked question as soon as they know it is a photograph. I used to loathe the question.
What do you mean, what is it? Isn’t it obvious? Gah!
Did you ask the painter what his abstraction was? That’s what I thought!
Now I’ve come to love the inquiry. I’ve got snarky answers “It’s a photograph.” and deep(er) ones: “It’s you.”. Okay, okay I’ve not really perfected a really good answer to the question yet and here is why:
To me I see the elements in the picture plane as a very specific language, each image is a highly ordered and complex story. From color palette to mark making, range of values, depth to speed of line and how it all interacts in the composition. Is that form floating or sinking? Is that line speeding into the void or reaching for an escape? Is there enough tension in the elements to create balance and order to the chaos? Is the message clear (enough)? Does it make you feel something?, Anything besides curiosity of the materials at hand?
There is an entire world of things in this frame, a lifetime of possible outcomes. It is a moment that moves back and forth through time, reminiscing and hoping at the same time. That is exactly what I see and I’m trying desperately to share it with you. To me it is something raw and real, but it is fleeting too. If you ask the wrong question it might just escape forever.
Sigh.. But then again this is my obsession. I record it for the joy it brings me to see and order the world so that it reflects my experience. I ultimately share it because I think it is beautiful, worthwhile and it keeps my eyes open and my mind busy.
Participation
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