Getting back to Coexistence, I thought I would present you with some new images. I began this portfolio stating that I hoped to “show how our obsession to control, inhabit, and possess Nature never really works and eventually a new relationship between the natural and manmade is born, sometimes beautiful, sometimes chaotic, but always interesting.”
Since starting with image #1 shown in a previous entry, I have taken more pictures, some of which I feel fit into the predefined parameters and some which don’t. I’m not sure, at this point whether or not that initial statement even applies. I feel like it may be already heading in a different direction.
When I worked as an architect, there was a continual back and forth between what I wanted my designs to be and what they demanded to be. I tried and tried to control them only to repeatedly realize that in the end, they were their own entities. When the project would get stuck, I would try to interject something new into it and it would move again only to come back to center. I think that developing a photographic portfolio is the same kind of process. I can state from the beginning that it will be this but in the end, if the images are hanging on the wall, will I even want to tell people what it is or does that become irrelevant, inappropriate or even infringe on the viewing experience? I think it’s good to start with an idea or approach and lead the process, but you must be able to recognize clearly when it doesn’t want to be what you hope it is. I am struggling right now wondering if this is really about what happens when we try to possess Nature, or if it’s simply a series of urban tree portraits or something completely different, something I can’t even define right now.
I am presenting these images knowing they’re not a cohesive collection. But I’m trying to organize what my eyes are seeing to try and understand where I should head. For those of you following this project, I would ask for answers to the following questions (and I know these can be difficult ones to answer). What do you like — can you find 1 or more pairs that work together? If so, why? What don’t you like and why? What would you suggest? Any ideas for moving forward? Are you having a similar struggle?
I do see a few different pairings, and I’d like, if you are willing to participate, to compare in a future post what you’re seeing to what I am.
I went to the Corcoran Gallery of Art about 2 years ago to watch the documentary on Sally Mann and to hear her speak about her work. In the film, there is one scene where she’s in her car driving and talking about how the hardest part (I assume she meant in being an artist) are the in betweens — the periods between projects where doubt can creep in…
Coexistence #2
[/caption]
Coexistence #4
[/caption]
Coexistence #6
[/caption]
Coexistence #8
[/caption]
Coexistence #10
[/caption]
Coexistence #12
