To read the assignment that pairs with this answer post CLICK HERE.
I had an awesome time walking around my house and neighborhood searching for micro-worlds last week. I found that it forced me to see my everyday world in a whole new way. At one point I was laying on the ground in order to look at ants crawling through a crack at the side of a house. It felt strange, yet exhilarating. I noticed that everything around me started to have the possibility of becoming it's own universe. Potential began to sprout all around me.
Another positive outcome to this lovely assignment was that it got me to use my camera again. I am constantly critical of my lack of commitment to photographing. I love looking at photography and do love taking photos, but find that it takes huge amounts of extra pushing most of the time to get myself to photograph simply for the sheer act of photographing. That is when the photographer's gut comes into play and the real magic happens. Having an assignment involving photography made me feel like I was back in undergrad. I was so happy to have homework and a deadline!
The not so fun part of this assignment was the second step requiring me to ask others what they thought was in the photo. I decided to try to get our social network of Facebook involved in hopes that it would instigate an interesting conversation. Getting people to comment has been one of the most difficult feats for Lisa and me so far in our Art is Moving collaboration. This week was no exception. I posted in three different places on Facebook and got no response. I was sad for about a minute and then realized that this was not the most important aspect of the project. And, who knows, maybe posting the photographs the first time will get someone to comment next time. I think the most important thing to do is to put your art out into the world. You never know who might stumble upon it.
As I move out of my duplex next week I am sure I will discover and photograph even more micro-worlds. Thanks Lisa! I love when a short and sweet creative exercise packs such a punch. Can't wait for the next one.
-Lauren
4 Comments:
Great insights Lauren!I love the imagery of you watching the ant world. It would have been hilarious to video you while you were in process. Did anyone see you? Sorry no one commented. That is our challenge how do we get folks to dialogue with us. I think the most frustrating thing is we really really want to know what other people are thinking. And value their opinion....
Once again, but without horrible grammar and spelling mistakes.
Thanks Lauren for this post, I too agree that an important part of being an artist is capturing and showing new viewpoints and points of reference. There are indeed micro-worlds everywhere and who else (apart from national geographic types) than an artist to show their beauty?
Thank again for this enlightening post.
warm regards
Samith
Lisa, I really cannot say whether anyone saw me or not. I was so engrossed in the ant world that I forgot about the human world for a few minutes. I think we are doing all we can do in terms of getting people involved in our dialog. We just have to keep giving them subject matter and see if it strikes them in a way that makes them want to be a part of the conversation.
Samith Pich, thank you for your comment. I believe that one of the biggest duties as an artist in our society is to either show the world something it is failing to see or show the world something from a different angle to make sure we are always open. I appreciate the compliments.
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