How do we engage with the everyday? There is so much I walk past that I never pay attention to, yet, they are somehow there.
I first started thinking about this concept when I saw Jane Campion’s short films, when she had an image of a girl looking under the bed and seeing dust balls.
As Stephen Johnston writes, the assignment is to focus on the “recognition of ordinary dignity or the accidentally miraculous”.
So give it a go, and let's see what you come up with!
Thanks for posting this weeks CREATE Jane!
I just walked around my living room looking for under appreciated and overlooked views. It seemed that a different vantage point (above, below, a shelf above eye level, the space behind, etc) provided perspective!
@sdolan Hello Kitty from a high up shelf!!
A forgotten wine bottle in our “cave” label destroyed by time, humidity and forgetfulness... wine was delicious
The foot on our slicer... one went missing and all of a sudden we noticed... machine wobbled and could not be used. everything matters
Thanks Meridith! It's very easy to forget what's in front of us.
ART YARD Advanced Studio participant Marilyn August sends these images in for this Pay Attention thread.
They are from her morning walk in her Willow Glen neighborhood in San Jose, CA:
Wonderful!!
@janehuntington1 Yes!
Quentin Williamston sends in this photo taken on Friday May 29.
Another Clinton Hill Brooklyn scene on the street from Quentin!
I've walked that corner many times – I think? Dekalb and Vanderbilt?
I paid attention to solidarity
@veratineo 💖💖💖
Diana Rickard is having trouble uploading her comments directly to this thread, thus I am posting for her.
Diana writes:
In the middle of the night I had a dream that woke me up. It had something to do with Floyd’s memorial, and some flying planes or weird dream stuff. Suddenly I was an alarm, I just remembered, I KNEW HIM! And woke up with a bolt thinking “he is inside all of us.”
in solidarity, indeed.
Underside of my table.
Nice image Jenn!
Surface of a painting, three generations old.
View from the floor of a closet.
Fatima Traore sends in this stunning and thought provoking photo for this thread:
Felix Plaza writes for this thread:
"This is a study of a church in the West Village-St Veronica. It’s a study of clouds, which not many people look at because their noses are stuck to their phones. St Veronica was one of the first places to help in the AIDS crisis. Now It’s just a shell of its self."
I’ve been walking my dogs in Central Park for decades now and never ever stopped to read any of the bench markers. Due to the quarantine, I’ve had the opportunity to walk at a slower pace (also, my dogs, and I, are now seniors and practically walk in reverse!) and I’ve been reading many of them daily.
I always thought that these dedications were just acknowledgments of conservancy benefactors. NOT TRUE! Some are lovely tributes to dogs; others are quotes from Shakespeare; many are inspirational sayings; lots are names of people who’ve made their marks in NY; and there are some that just celebrate one’s time spent in the Park. I was pleasantly surprised to see some dedicated to or by people I know.
Kind of hard to photograph them on a sunny day like today, and to avoid reflections of myself. I hope these give you a small sampling of what they’re like.
Jacob Rath writes:
"I had quite a week in Minneapolis, and did not take a lot of pictures. Here are two pictures though I did take. I've spent the past few days volunteering at Reverie, which is a vegan restaurant a block away from my house. The restaurant has been giving free food to organizations and people who need help feeding themselves at this time. Anyone can come by to request free food. Today we made 125 burritos to give out. two days ago, I assembled and have out bowls of fried cauliflower, salad, and pita to whoever wanted (pic 1). The second picture is a screenshot of a message sent out to my neighborhood. Plenty of people are donating food, supplies, money, and time to rebuilding this city, and making sure people have access to necessary supplies. I've seen multiple messages from organizations they have more donations and people offering to volunteer than they can handle. That screenshot captures The generosity and love currently present in Minneapolis."
Before coronavirus hits us and we have to stay home, I used to listen to podcasts or YouTube while walking outside. Now I love to hear the voice of the cars and the birdsong or peeps.
@sarah.a.g Sarah, I love this video!
Agree, Sarah. I've been enjoying the church bells from St. Paul The Apostle on 9th Avenue throughout the day and the birds in Central Park during our quarantine period. Things might change today as Phase One begins - we'll see. In the meantime, you might enjoy these recordings released by the New York Public Library - I do!
https://soundcloud.com/nypl/to-see-an-underground-show
@Dennis Buonagura ooohhh Dennis, I will check that out!
Eden Moore sends these photos in for this thread.