Photographers and artists are in the business of engineering. For the most part, our goal is to represent “whole” things in ways that people know them. Whether it be faces, smiles, or landscapes, our audience expects something ultimately recognizable. Something large and complete.
The irony, of course, is that the artist, the photographer, or the engineer has to coordinate a million small things to put together that recognizable form. Are we balancing exposure on someone’s face? Shall we use cross strokes with green paint on the trees, or blend yellow and blue?
I went to LACMA today with an unusual plan in mind (for me, anyways). Rather than photograph complete works of art, I wanted to focus on patterns and some of the more singular aspects of the pieces. We typically look at art and life as so many wholes without appreciating all the beauty in the nooks and crannies. Certainly the face of our lover is a welcome sight to behold, but true intimacy comes from pressing your fingers across their flesh, brushing your lips on their cheek, or taking in the smell of their hair as you nuzzle their neck.
As I walked through the galleries at LACMA today, I tried to see the small in the large. To be partner to so many ancient craftsmen pouring their souls into the details so that we the viewers can appreciate the whole. Art always has a secret to share, and the artist will whisper it to whomever cares to really listen.
All pretentiousness aside, here’s a selection of shots from today, including a few panoramics I stitched together. If you haven’t been to LACMA recently, you should go. The temporary Pompeii exhibit is incredible, as is the new modern art building which has, among other things, a cool Warhol collection.
Wow. These were beautiful. Now I totally want to go to the museum….
I want to touch everything! I’m a big fan of interesting textures, I’m pretty tactile by nature so I love this kind of stuff. Haven’t been to LACMA in ages, now I wanna go!