Making One's Soul Grow
Oct 23, 2012 18:08:46 #
In Kurt Vonneguts Coda to his book Bagombo Snuff Box he describes what it's like to grow up in the midwest. I think it also explains why many of us pursue photography:
"Participation in an art is not simply one of many possible ways to make a living, an obsolescent trade as we approach the year 2000. Participation in an art, at bottom, has nothing to do with earning money. Participation in an art, although unrewarded by wealth or fame, and as the Middle West has encouraged so many of its young to discover for themselves so far, is a way to make ones soul grow."
"Participation in an art is not simply one of many possible ways to make a living, an obsolescent trade as we approach the year 2000. Participation in an art, at bottom, has nothing to do with earning money. Participation in an art, although unrewarded by wealth or fame, and as the Middle West has encouraged so many of its young to discover for themselves so far, is a way to make ones soul grow."
Oct 23, 2012 18:26:24 #
Now, that is something I can wholeheartedly endorse.
Thanks. Interesting quotation.
Thanks. Interesting quotation.
Oct 23, 2012 18:46:22 #
To paraphrase:
"Participation in photography, is a way to make ones soul grow."
"Participation in photography, is a way to make ones soul grow."
Oct 24, 2012 06:39:40 #
Beautiful sentiment, thanks for posting. I am hoping it is also a way to ward off dementia.
Oct 24, 2012 08:23:50 #
Participation in art has allowed me to see objects differently and also as an extension to view people differently.
However, art has allowed me to earn money as an innovative problem solver in industry. Most engineer types see what is there rather than what could be. They use what materials that should be used rather than those that could be used.
At times as photographers we are focused (no pun) on the visible light when there is a wide spectra ... ever consider photographing sound, or the pattern of rain in high wind that seems to be in sheets of differing density evenly spaced? Or to make a soul glow while it is growing... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian_photography.
Where does art begin and photography end?
However, art has allowed me to earn money as an innovative problem solver in industry. Most engineer types see what is there rather than what could be. They use what materials that should be used rather than those that could be used.
At times as photographers we are focused (no pun) on the visible light when there is a wide spectra ... ever consider photographing sound, or the pattern of rain in high wind that seems to be in sheets of differing density evenly spaced? Or to make a soul glow while it is growing... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian_photography.
Where does art begin and photography end?
Oct 24, 2012 15:33:17 #
Thanks for your comments. My very favorite quote related to photography is by Arron Sussman, I believe in a foreward to one the old "Seeing" books. I have it hanging on my darkroom (even tho it doesn't get a lot of use these days):
"I take to my dark room out of affection for others. There I make friends with the world again. There I learn to look away, to focus on infinity. There I play God with film, paper, chemicals, and lenses. There, in the dark, I begin to see."
"I take to my dark room out of affection for others. There I make friends with the world again. There I learn to look away, to focus on infinity. There I play God with film, paper, chemicals, and lenses. There, in the dark, I begin to see."
Oct 24, 2012 20:35:50 #
Perfect explanation of what I love about photography and other artistic/creative pursuits. Thanks for sharing!
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