This kiosk is my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. In general I’m pleased with the old melon. It’s just that along with the good stuff there is an awful lot of poorly organized, fragmented, possibly important but unrecognizable information in there. I’m terrified to let go of anything for fear of accidentally losing the one little engram necessary for sentience.
When I set out to create a photoblog I had two goals in mind. I hoped, of course, that by putting my photographs out there I’d be motivated to improve and become a better photographer. Perhaps more important to me though, was the opportunity to write. The simple act of writing a small anecdote along with each image quiets the maddening din of my mind. I can almost feel my brain changing, organizing, quieting as I slowly construct the words that will be, at that moment, an authentic representation of me. It’s almost as though the words are entangled with the ideas; as I gingerly extract the words the ideas settle into place.
See, I feel better already.
30 Comments
What a great picture Chris! a beautiful abstract design. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Daniel–always makes me a bit nervous. Appreciate the support!
hehe, cool idea
Thanks yz!
From very far away from my screen I remembered the first time I’ve seen Jackson Pollock’s works in Paris 30 years ago. My lover and I understood that abstract approach was just another way to understand the figurative one when we discovered we had made the same interpretation of “The Deep”, i.e. a woman’s sex.
Here we are approaching another world, but so intense. It’s so meaningful for me to look at these torn words after hearing Jean-Luc Gogard telling in an interview this week that his ultimate movie would be called “Farewell to the language”…
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment PixeLuz!
I love this. But for me, it works the opposite. The words come easily and do almost nothing to organize or slow down the near-chaos in the brain, but the act of making an image makes everything stop, even for a moment. Either way I am coming to think it’s the practice that matters. So glad to have found your practice!
Hi Corinna! Fascinating isn’t it, to consider what makes us tick? Thanks so much for the comment and for sharing your thoughts!
This really is a great abstract.
look all over the image there actually is a information overload in there.
And honestly before i even looked at the title i already had this kind of title for the picture in my head.
great work Chris
Thanks a lot Dave! I’m not as comfortable with this type of photography so I really appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Nothing like chaos to bring order. I enjoy your site because of this combination of image and story. The whole process – photographing, writing, edititing – is a great creative outlet.
See what I did? I didn’t edit. That should say “editing”…
Thanks so much Mike–really appreciate your comments and visits.
the choise of black and white was decisive, in my opinion, I belive that colors would not have had the same visual impact, really compliments it’s a splendid photo
Thank you so much Fabrizio. I really appreciate hearing that. I struggled with this decision–my mind wanted to keep the shot color but I kept coming back to black and white. It seemed more compelling in monochrome.
You post photos AND write about your thoughts & feelings. I do admire you for that as just posting photos keeps me plenty busy.
I really appreciate that Kala–thanks!
Ahhh. You’ve quieted my mind immediately with this posting. Seriously. I can SO relate to your thoughts on this wonderful, textural image. Writing about “WHY” we chose our images as well as all the other choices in life helps thread all the pieces together and does indeed, bring more insight. Your thoughts and image are brilliant.
Thank you so much Diane!
I guess Pollock’s brain might look like this fabulously original image ! Excellent in B&W. I love to watch this struggle of yours, it’s touching you share this with us. I personally took the reverse path (from words to photos) but i’m sure the aim is the same. Keep it up, Christopher – for our great pleasure !
Thank you so much for the kind words k@!
Nice, this texture produces a great impact at first sight.
Thanks so much Pau!
very lovely b&w image
Thanks so much Charles–I’m really glad you visited!
I can relate to your thoughts here. There are probably many of us who have an over-abundance of shredded and scattered thoughts and emotions. Is it just a sign of the times? I don’t know, but I’d make a healthy bet that this is a much bigger and broader subject in today’s world than we might think at first. Or, maybe I’m just realizing how profound it is that we can function at all. (?)
Anyway, I’m waiting for something to turn my shredded pieces into confetti–and then to just celebrate and not worry about it.
Best wishes…!
Our hunter/gatherer brains aren’t equipped for life in 2010.
Thanks Phil!
Nice abstract.
Apart from your photography, the other reason I was delighted to find your blog Chris was for your writing, I can see how it cleans out your thoughts.
My writing however, only seems to work when those literary juices are flowing; unlike photography, which I can shoot any time as long as the weather is “interesting”
Keep up the good work in both fields.
Thanks so much George. I’m really grateful for your visits and that I can swing by Minimalistics whenever I need a good does of inspiration!