I always admire the people taking time to sketch what they see in museums and galleries. That feels like a way to go deep into the subject. I am terrible at drawing so it isn't something I do, but have encouraged my far more gifted children to do so.
What should be so natural that would not require mentioning, has become so obscure, that makes the essay revelatory: let's use our own senses first! We really do not need the mediation of this intrusive electronic device to sense the world. A smartphone does not enhance; it hampers our experience.
I've learned to keep my phone (yes, I use it occasionally) in a protective cover, in a pocket of my backpack. Hands free, sight attentive, mind open. Strongly recommend!
Yeah this is bang on. I've been thinking about birdwatching as an antidote to screen addiction a lot recently. Leaving my phone at home when I go out is a little microrebellion.
So it's not just me who despairs at everyone viewing everything through a smartphone lens. I've started taking a small film camera with me again instead. The higher cost per shot means I'm more choosy, and the lack of instant feedback from a screen means that it doesn't pull me away from the scene I've just snapped. I'd recommend it.
It is so interesting to consider the "price per shot" of film vs digital - some of my favourite photos from other photographers are film. Not only their artistic merit but also the skill involved. My father used to have a darkroom in our loft so I know all the labours that go into the finished product.
Consider the Lilies. I am amazed at how often I need to be reminded. I walk often with my children, and just last week my little daughter crouched down to pick a small, white morning glory. Children are often our best reminders of how to stop and truly see what is around us; considering the lilies comes so naturally to them.
It's delightful isn't it! I make an effort to try and nurture that love of the wild in children whenever I see it, as I know how easy the screens can come and displace it. But a love and curiosity for nature does seem to be engrained in these little ones.
"they merely saw an image on their screen and not the real thing."
This predates smart phones by a century, starting with cinema and then television. The internet and cell phones are a giant leap downward, but on a trajectory carefully planned and executed. Some in early cinema truly tried to record a deep sense of awe, but cinema rapidly descended into displays of writers', producers', directors', and actors' narcissism and other sociopathologies. The internet and smart phones just democratized them.
This comment made me think of Neil Postman's quote of Marshall McLuhan's famous saying, the medium is the message. I think Postman would say that cinema and the screen arts are not media that allow much reflection or have the potential to communicate great thoughts, unlike literary or graphic art forms. In my judgment, professional acting, taking on another's character, blurs the distinctions between reality and fiction, contributes to hypocrisy in real life, and while it's hard to categorize as absolutely wrong, was historically viewed as dangerous by staunch Protestants. In modern history, the more sophisticated this "art form" of drama becomes, the more difficult or impossible to see any good in it.
Like you before I moved to Washington State while still in New Mexico, I went to the Georgia O’Keeffe museum. She’s my favorite American artist and I was dumbstruck at the beauty, majesty and sheer artistry of her pieces! Each one called to me in such a way that I totally forgot not only my iPhone but the people around me. When I walked into the main gallery and saw a particular painting, it’s was like a magnet in my chest pulled me to be in front of it. To the exclusion of all else. I literally had a spiritual moment in front of that painting! And I know that’s exactly what O’Keeffe would have smiled at. She loved to jar people out of complacency and show common things in a new and extreme way. I stood in front of the painting for so long a museum guard can over to see if I was okay. With tears in my eyes I shared my thoughts, feelings, that profound experience with her. And yes, today people miss all of this for the almighty ‘post’ on social media. It’s was an amazing experience never to be forgotten. Or replicated.
Great piece. I visited the British Museum in the mid-2000s, before the smartphone era, so I recall less of this. I do recall people behaving boorishly and at least one security guard sleeping on the job. (This shocked me in comparison to the National Museum in Athens, where you would be reprimanded for putting one foot wrong- or briefly taking a shoe off a sweaty foot: that was me). But this makes me grateful I had many chances at the British Museum and other museums to do that kind of contemplating you mention. I can’t say my thoughts were very profound, but I certainly was present.
From the British Museum, I best remember the Sutton Hoo artifacts and the jewelry made of gold. I remember looking at it and feeling like I finally understood the motives of pirates and dragons, so beautiful it was, the material and the craft. The factory-made jewelry I wear and am familiar with could never compare, even if made with jewels and precious stones.
The other thing that I loved was the huge wall carvings from Mesopotamia (iirc). They looked like giant comic books to me.
I make a point of not taking pictures during museums or special events. I always wonder about the motives of people who do. But, I’m sure I have blinders about other things.
The Japanese exhibit impressed me the most - the simple, yet profound beauty of the objects on display (and a humorous print by prince George (not the current one), black blobs that an artist turned into fire flies).
Long years ago, we were given a camera, a good one, as a wedding present. I used it for perhaps a decade, until I realized I was remembering taking the pictures, not what I was supposedly looking at. I stopped. Now I use my phone camera, sparingly, and purposely, and only after I have looked properly. I prefer the memories to the photos.
This is such an important observation to make, Hadden. And, as a photographer, this tendency to live through a device in front of me is something I have had to confront time and time again. Learning to put the camera down and enjoy an experience firsthand has been a truly refreshing discipline in my life.
I've not had a smartphone for a number of months now, and so witnessing those who still do allowing it to look at life for them, in a sense abdicating their lives so that a machine can live it for them, is such a sad thing -- not because I feel myself morally superior to them, but because I've now lived on both sides of that line, and I know which is the more beautiful.
It is refreshing indeed, Joel, to put down the medium and embrace the reality. Case in point, today I was watching some Harbour Porpoises breaching close to the shore., My wife gently reminded me to stop trying to film them and just watch. I’m glad she did.
Good thoughts, Hadden! I take a decent number of pictures but never end up looking at most of them again. Your comments make me reconsider why I’m even taking a picture in the first place. I’m trying to opt for just enjoying being present and what’s truly valuable will stick with me.
“To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.” Orwell’s words have never been as accurate as they are today.
This piece was a fitting reminder, especially as the summer starts to wind down, the plants start their changes, and the kids head back to school. Thank you.
I always admire the people taking time to sketch what they see in museums and galleries. That feels like a way to go deep into the subject. I am terrible at drawing so it isn't something I do, but have encouraged my far more gifted children to do so.
Absolutely. I tried to keep this essay short, but that was one of the application points I was debating whether to include.
That’s a great idea! I am going to try it next time and encourage my kids to as well.
What should be so natural that would not require mentioning, has become so obscure, that makes the essay revelatory: let's use our own senses first! We really do not need the mediation of this intrusive electronic device to sense the world. A smartphone does not enhance; it hampers our experience.
I've learned to keep my phone (yes, I use it occasionally) in a protective cover, in a pocket of my backpack. Hands free, sight attentive, mind open. Strongly recommend!
Yeah this is bang on. I've been thinking about birdwatching as an antidote to screen addiction a lot recently. Leaving my phone at home when I go out is a little microrebellion.
So it's not just me who despairs at everyone viewing everything through a smartphone lens. I've started taking a small film camera with me again instead. The higher cost per shot means I'm more choosy, and the lack of instant feedback from a screen means that it doesn't pull me away from the scene I've just snapped. I'd recommend it.
Thanks Alastair, you are certainly not alone.
It is so interesting to consider the "price per shot" of film vs digital - some of my favourite photos from other photographers are film. Not only their artistic merit but also the skill involved. My father used to have a darkroom in our loft so I know all the labours that go into the finished product.
Consider the Lilies. I am amazed at how often I need to be reminded. I walk often with my children, and just last week my little daughter crouched down to pick a small, white morning glory. Children are often our best reminders of how to stop and truly see what is around us; considering the lilies comes so naturally to them.
Great piece, Hadden!
It's delightful isn't it! I make an effort to try and nurture that love of the wild in children whenever I see it, as I know how easy the screens can come and displace it. But a love and curiosity for nature does seem to be engrained in these little ones.
"they merely saw an image on their screen and not the real thing."
This predates smart phones by a century, starting with cinema and then television. The internet and cell phones are a giant leap downward, but on a trajectory carefully planned and executed. Some in early cinema truly tried to record a deep sense of awe, but cinema rapidly descended into displays of writers', producers', directors', and actors' narcissism and other sociopathologies. The internet and smart phones just democratized them.
This comment made me think of Neil Postman's quote of Marshall McLuhan's famous saying, the medium is the message. I think Postman would say that cinema and the screen arts are not media that allow much reflection or have the potential to communicate great thoughts, unlike literary or graphic art forms. In my judgment, professional acting, taking on another's character, blurs the distinctions between reality and fiction, contributes to hypocrisy in real life, and while it's hard to categorize as absolutely wrong, was historically viewed as dangerous by staunch Protestants. In modern history, the more sophisticated this "art form" of drama becomes, the more difficult or impossible to see any good in it.
Like you before I moved to Washington State while still in New Mexico, I went to the Georgia O’Keeffe museum. She’s my favorite American artist and I was dumbstruck at the beauty, majesty and sheer artistry of her pieces! Each one called to me in such a way that I totally forgot not only my iPhone but the people around me. When I walked into the main gallery and saw a particular painting, it’s was like a magnet in my chest pulled me to be in front of it. To the exclusion of all else. I literally had a spiritual moment in front of that painting! And I know that’s exactly what O’Keeffe would have smiled at. She loved to jar people out of complacency and show common things in a new and extreme way. I stood in front of the painting for so long a museum guard can over to see if I was okay. With tears in my eyes I shared my thoughts, feelings, that profound experience with her. And yes, today people miss all of this for the almighty ‘post’ on social media. It’s was an amazing experience never to be forgotten. Or replicated.
Great piece. I visited the British Museum in the mid-2000s, before the smartphone era, so I recall less of this. I do recall people behaving boorishly and at least one security guard sleeping on the job. (This shocked me in comparison to the National Museum in Athens, where you would be reprimanded for putting one foot wrong- or briefly taking a shoe off a sweaty foot: that was me). But this makes me grateful I had many chances at the British Museum and other museums to do that kind of contemplating you mention. I can’t say my thoughts were very profound, but I certainly was present.
From the British Museum, I best remember the Sutton Hoo artifacts and the jewelry made of gold. I remember looking at it and feeling like I finally understood the motives of pirates and dragons, so beautiful it was, the material and the craft. The factory-made jewelry I wear and am familiar with could never compare, even if made with jewels and precious stones.
The other thing that I loved was the huge wall carvings from Mesopotamia (iirc). They looked like giant comic books to me.
I make a point of not taking pictures during museums or special events. I always wonder about the motives of people who do. But, I’m sure I have blinders about other things.
That is a funny story about the sweaty shoe!
The Japanese exhibit impressed me the most - the simple, yet profound beauty of the objects on display (and a humorous print by prince George (not the current one), black blobs that an artist turned into fire flies).
Long years ago, we were given a camera, a good one, as a wedding present. I used it for perhaps a decade, until I realized I was remembering taking the pictures, not what I was supposedly looking at. I stopped. Now I use my phone camera, sparingly, and purposely, and only after I have looked properly. I prefer the memories to the photos.
This reminds me a bit of some thoughts about looking straight at things, seeing them attentively, in Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.
We see with our heart
Through the eye
How we look is a function of heart health
Beautifully put, Eric.
This is such an important observation to make, Hadden. And, as a photographer, this tendency to live through a device in front of me is something I have had to confront time and time again. Learning to put the camera down and enjoy an experience firsthand has been a truly refreshing discipline in my life.
I've not had a smartphone for a number of months now, and so witnessing those who still do allowing it to look at life for them, in a sense abdicating their lives so that a machine can live it for them, is such a sad thing -- not because I feel myself morally superior to them, but because I've now lived on both sides of that line, and I know which is the more beautiful.
It is refreshing indeed, Joel, to put down the medium and embrace the reality. Case in point, today I was watching some Harbour Porpoises breaching close to the shore., My wife gently reminded me to stop trying to film them and just watch. I’m glad she did.
Good thoughts, Hadden! I take a decent number of pictures but never end up looking at most of them again. Your comments make me reconsider why I’m even taking a picture in the first place. I’m trying to opt for just enjoying being present and what’s truly valuable will stick with me.
Thanks Aaron,
It was a bit of a soul searching post for me too when I considered how often I just used to take photos rather than looking intently.
“To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.” Orwell’s words have never been as accurate as they are today.
This piece was a fitting reminder, especially as the summer starts to wind down, the plants start their changes, and the kids head back to school. Thank you.