civilized ku # 2651 ~ fixin' my dukkha with a box o' prints
Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 11:32AM 
Coming soon ~ Pittsburgh, PA • click to embiggenRelative to yesterday's entry, diptych # 61, and its noodling around with the ideas of shibui and wabi-abi and also relative to my recent entry, diptych # 60 / civilized ku # 2649, wherein I mentioned my screen fatigue and my love of prints, let introduce the notion of dukkha - a Pāli word for one of the Buddhist Three marks of existence. The other 2 marks are anicca and anatta. Roughly translated, annica = impermanence, dukkha= suffering / unsatisfactoriness, and anatta = non-self.
That written, I can write without reservation that I bear the mark of dukkha / unsatisfactoriness, re: my desire to view prints, around my neck like the proverbial millstone. And, like the Rolling Stones, as much as I try and I try and I try and I try, I can't no satisfaction from viewing pictures online / on screen.
So, in the cause of getting some satisfaction, the time has come for me to do something about it.
How so, you might ask / wonder? Well, as the Beatles sang, I'll get by with a little help from my friends - those friends are you, my loyal readers / followers. And, have no doubt about it, the rewards with be as great for you as they are for me. To wit ....
.... the point of the endeavor is to bring together a group - 8-10 (?) - of fellow print lovers who would like to take part in what amounts to print-based chain letter. That is, a constantly circulating box of prints.
Initially, the box - actually, a portfolio box in a shipping case - would contain 1 print from each participant. The box would remain with each participant for a period of time - 1 week (?) - giving each participant time to savor the contents of the box. Before forwarding the box to the next participant in the chain, the box holder would place another of his/her prints in the box.
At the end of 1 complete circuit of the box, there would be 20 prints in the box - 2 from each participant. At that point and during the next go around, each box holder would remove his/her oldest print from the box and insert a new 1 - repeat for each successive go around. After the second go round, there would always be 20 prints in the box and each participant would be able to view each and every one. By limiting the group to 8-10 participants and the time each participant has the box to 1 week, each participant should receive the box once every 2 months / 6x a year.
Bonus time: in addition to the reward / pleasure of holding and viewing the prints, each participant would also be able to contact any other participant to purchase a print or even better, arrange a print swap.
The only cost involved for each participant in the endeavor is the minimal cost of mailing / shipping the box to the next participant. The cost of print making, assuming that each participant who loves prints makes his/her own prints, is limited to materials. That's about it, cost-wise, inasmuch as I will supply the portfolio case/box + shipping case.
All of that written, how about it? Just contact me and we'll get the ball rolling. Interested or not, please pass the word along to others who might be interested. It's truly a win-win endeavor.
Thanks in advance for your help in making this endeavor become a reality.
Reader Comments (6)
I'm not a photographer, so I can't participate. But I have to comment that this is a GREAT idea.
I am interested in this. It'll be a challenge for me to work on my print making skills and also a joy to be able to view other's work in print form. Let me know when it's ready to roll and I'll send my address.
It's a great idea and I would be honored to participate.
I have a feeling you'll get lots of positive response to this. How in the world will you be able to decide who? Of course, there could be more than one chain. Best regards and here's hoping.
I have enjoyed reading your blog for quite a while, but not every day. I only just now saw this post and would love to participate.
I don't know if my pictures are good enough for this, but I would be interested if there is still a free slot.
Count me in ...