urban ku # 65 ~ they're everywhere
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 09:59AM 
Sluice on the Boquet at Wadhams • click to embiggenKent Wiley and Steve Durbin have been engaged in an interesting give and take on Kent's Truth & Beauty entry in the Guest Photographers Forum. It's an informed and thoughtful exchange, well worth reading (and you probably should read it to make sense of this entry).
The discussion revolves around a couple issues - 'truth' and 'idealized forms' - that have been the topic of many entries and discussions here on The Landscapist. I thought I would use this opportunity to try and clarify my position on these topics. A position, which, unless you have read every entry I have written since I started blogging, might be mis-understood by many. I'll try to keep it short and simple.
The 'reality factor' of photography, its inexorable connectedness to the object of the camera's gaze (the referent), is the one formal characteristic of the medium that truly distinquishes it from the other visual arts. In my picturing, I try to remain true to this characteristic of the medium.
In part, that is to say that my pictures conform (mostly) to the visual characteristics of the documentary style of picturing - they are true to the 'topographical' features of my referents (people, places, things). I picture in this manner because I have absolutely no inclination towards sentimentality and romanticism.
I have absolutely no inclination towards sentimentality and romanticism because, in part, my intent for my pictures (as mentioned in urban ku # 64) is to articulate concerns relating to contemporary global experiences and I don't believe that sentimentality/romanticism is the way to do it. IMO, looking at 'reality' with cool direct gaze is the only way to do it.
Does this mean that pictures which represent 'idealized forms' are sentimental dreck? Not necessarily so.
In fact, I consider most of my pictures to be 'idealize form's of expressing/representing reality. However, what they are not are pictures of idealized referents. There's a difference between the two, a huge difference. As one example, the world does not need another picture of moving rocks on Death Valley at sunset/sunrise. What it really needs are more pictures which 'articulate concerns relating to contemporary global experiences'.
Does this mean that pictures of moving rocks on Death Valley at sunset/sunrise (idealized referents) are sentimental dreck and have no value? No, not necessarily so.
But, frankly, in the scheme of articulating concerns relating to contemporary global experiences, they are little more than decorative photographic baubles.
Now listen up - this is important - I have quite a number of 'photographic baubles' just as I have lots of shmaltzy/kitschy trinkets and objects around the house. I collect them. They give me great pleasure. Many of them are in large built-in cabinet (with solid ornate wooden doors) which the wife refers to as The Museum.
I consider my photographic baubles and objects de kitsch to be decorative art. They are both pleasant to look at and, especially the pictures, ways to connect to pleasant memories of people, places and things. Far be it from me to say that they are 'valueless'. They just represent a very different kind of value from that which I am trying to infuse in my 'other' pictures.
Everyone has a need to 'disconnect' in a hyper-connected world. I am no exeception. My probelm with those who create nothing but decorative art (and more importantly, with the art itself) is simple - in a world which needs artists who articulate concerns relating to contemporary global experiences, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
gravitas et nugalis
Featured Comments: Bill Gotz asked; "What does "articulate concerns relating to contemporary global experiences" mean?"
My Response - as it is being applied to photography, I would venture that it means to create pictures which say something about the state of affairs on the planet/in the world today. Things like war, social injustice, pollution, poverty and corporate greed, as examples although I wouldn't rule out, kindless, compassion, good deeds and a host of other 'positives'.
In the postmodrn view of things it would also include questioning just about everything in the social/cultural construct.
Reader Comments (4)
Mark, I hope you were able to drop this guy a link to the Landscapist!
a can of worms to be sure.
What does "articulate concerns relating to contemporary global experiences" mean?
Very thought-provoking. I really enjoy this blog and the ways it makes me think. Keep 'em comin'!