I haven’t been very inspired in the last couple of weeks, like my eyes aren’t working. During these times, which happen often unfortunately, I get very nervous. I start wondering if I’ll ever “see” again. Repeatedly, this happens during the in between periods — the time I spend between portfolios. The longer it goes, the more anxious I get. About two years ago I heard Sally Mann speaking at The Corcoran Museum in Washington, DC and she spoke about similar periods as being extremely difficult. When I’m committed to a body of work, I’m focused, I know what I want to do and am able to diligently concentrate on what imagery I want to steal from the landscape.
I spent one day last week photographing wind turbines. When I visited Portland almost two years ago, I remember seeing a few, but nothing compared to the quantity that are rising up now. At first glance, they seem towering, almost alien-like, but also elegant and sculptural. There is a minimalism in the design that I find quite beautiful. The white, stark color in combination with the imposing size of the blades and perceived weight of them creates an almost surreal sight. The site I photographed was in a field of wheat, the soft color and delicate motion of the providing a soft contrast to the weight and power of the turbines. It is impossible to stand in these fields and not wonder how the farmers feel about these new marks on the horizon, the view from their land that is changing rapidly.
When I’m feeling a little lost, like I don’t know what to work on next, I’ll start a number of projects like this — not that I’m really anticipating this work to develop into a full portfolio, but as a way to open my eyes again. I will continue to do this until I start to “see” something again that I will want to latch onto.
In the meantime, I will continue to share these little exercises to you. Any comments are welcome…
© Lauren Henkin, Wind Turbines #1, 2009, Oregon. All rights reserved.
© Lauren Henkin, Wind Turbines #2, 2009, Oregon. All rights reserved.
© Lauren Henkin, Wind Turbines #3, 2009, Oregon. All rights reserved.
© Lauren Henkin, Wind Turbines #4, 2009, Oregon. All rights reserved.
© Lauren Henkin, Wind Turbines #5, 2009, Oregon. All rights reserved.
© Lauren Henkin, Wind Turbines #6, 2009, Oregon. All rights reserved.
© Lauren Henkin, Wind Turbines #7, 2009, Oregon. All rights reserved.