Photography Thinks
Don’t miss the chance when you visit a museum to pose with the art. Gives the art life and you life. Adds to a photogs understanding of the greater garden of artistic endeavors. I learn new ways to look at myself, pose others and be a subject of a photo. Besides, Sharon is a great photog and it’s fun.
One of the joys of being a portrait photog is that as your skills mature, so do your sitters. Here is my friend Paul Erstein, lost in the outskirts of my life for several years, but now back. We reconnected, shared some history and “first aid” info, talked about his beloved Mother who lived a long rich life and talked about family. He has a daughter and son, both in strong, loving relationships, one of whom has served up three grandchildren.
In 2015, he rode his motorcycle, remembering zipping round like a kid. He felt some pain selling his bike, but we all got to grow up. New car for a 70th birthday present will make up for it.
In 2017, he day traded, looking to make a score to carry him into older age. He says he still does a little. But I am not here to look at his checkbook.
So, you may not realize that his image was developed from a piece in an art show in 1917. Marcel DuChamp, a French painter, sculptor and art critic, submitted an ordinary piece of plumbing to a show sponsored by the Society of Independent Artists in New York City. The work has been seen by many as the leading piece of avant-guard art of the 20th century.
DuChamp allegedly bought this ordinary piece of equipment and designated it a work of art. He called such items “Readymades.” When the show directors refused to display it, he retracted his exhibit, had it photographed by Steiglitz and quit the organization. The original R. Mutt disappeared, but the issue of what constitutes art continues.
My shot was taken in one of the Men’s bathrooms at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach FL. Governor DeSantis has not gotten around to removing it as an object which could transform men into women or vice versa, in full disregard of its useful significance.
Bathrooms are bathrooms. And you can never be too carful in one, which is why they tell you where to stand and where to shoot. Women, because of anatomical differences do not have this problem. This blog post is therefore offered as a public health advisory, in addition to a note to promote art appreciation.
So, here I am, alive at 76. Complicated year health wise, not all resolved. Travelled extensively. Made a few new friends. Kept old enemies. Still no family on my side. Won’t reconcile with any.
Improved creatively. Read a lot. Saw some movies. Learned a few things, but no new tricks. Overall, a good enough year to make me want more.
Gotta live with the hand dealt with. No reformation or rehabilitation on the horizon. Nothing I can do to help anyone or myself.
Just need to stay fresh and interesting enough for Sharon. We all know what a headache I can be. Then we both will deal with aging and our end game.
This bear cub was hiding out in my front yard. Maybe it isn’t a bear cub? Could also be a seeing eye rock!
So, last night Argus visited me during sleep. He never closes his eyes, looking into the future and remembering the past. Both for me seem pretty scary.
I have never gained control over the remnants of my past trauma or regained any sense I had control over the smashup that stole my career and adulthood. Even my understanding wife has had a tough time living with it. So it goes.
The future remains dim, too, now that I face a multitude of physical problems: blood, skin and spine being the most pressing. But I forage on, trying as I might try to live in the present, always valueing what I have, rather than what I lost which will never again be within my reach. No more dreams or long range plans.
Florida is the kind of place where many leave behind their real lives.
Last night lecture on South Pacific, artists, authors, movies. A combination of Brando, Gaugin, RL Stevenson and even Herman Melville. Picasso and Matisse were influenced by the colors and shapes. Michner studied the history. We get to see their art and three versions of Mutiny on the Bounty. Frankly, I liked Brando better than Gable and Gibson. The lecturer liked Gable, sans moustache.
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Too many at sea days in a row. Hard to find interesting things to shoot. Water all around. Food. Not ready for people. Three more days at.sea before Bora Bora. Lots of lectures on exploring and geology. Like being back in school. Internet is sketchy, but good enough for everything but streaming.
Anyone can make a picture of a sunrise. Making it differently is a challenge.
You should light the lights and eat the latkes. Play a little dreidel and sing a few songs. Don’t have to do it every night. Just never forget your history. Hanukah may not be a real holiday, but it’s a good story.
So, today I turned 75. Not as happy as I might be, except I am still alive and I am still married to Sharon, whom I love dearly.
No guarantees. Blood test next week for my CLL. No covid protection even though triple vaccinated and whatever. Immunochallenged among other things. Then off traveling. All life could be a crap shoot, but my dice don’t have all the dots, so I cannot feel all that comfortable.
Meaning for my life might emerge from my struggles, past/present/future to self-actualize, a forceful effort I alway had to make to avoid injury, restraint and violent recriminations. Not having a loving family served to constantly create obstacles and no relief. Lucky I had some friends along the way who weren’t overly critical. So what if I eat lettuce with my hands and sip soup out of the cup; what are fingers and mouths for?
Personally, I always tried to live meaningfully, not knowing what was right or what to do, always looking for answers, sometimes in Judaism, sometimes in art and not enough in Emily Post or the Code of Judicial Ethics.
The answer found in Monty Pythons, The Meaning of Brian is enough for today,”“Well, it’s [the meaning of life] nothing very special. Uh, try to be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.” People will disagree about whether I did this, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t try or won’t.