Colin Pantall has a wonderful blog that I visit every day, but it often puts me out of sorts. His website contains his photographic work. I am very fond of those images. But take a look at his last three posts: (1) ( 2) (3). He is a playful blogger with that postmodern irony that winks at you to let you know that it might not be as ironical as you think. He is smart. Read his writings. But goddammit, sometimes it makes me want to pull the plug on what I am doing and go to the closet and work and write and only show high-toned, cold photographs that depict the sterility and banality of suburban life or inner city blighted areas, all devoid of human figures. Probably done with an on-camera flash, all of them countering the classical concepts of composition, all done in garish, plastic, washed out colors.
Everything is ideology, I know, hidden narratives, master narratives, counter-narratives.
I keep thinking of Carlo Mollino, the renowned architect who made photographs as a pastime. I like the bio that appears here:
Unlike his architect compatriots, and the other luminaries of European architecture, Mollino appeared never to delude himself through aspirations of lofty theoretical notions, preferring instead his own personalised vocabulary, described in 1948 by the American designer George Nelson as 'Turinese Baroque'.
Throughout his life Mollino maintained two consistent pastimes, those of photography and eroticism. Eroticism, and in particular the female form, were insistent subjects that permeated many aspects of Mollino's work as an architect, designer and photographer.
Mollino's photography did not appear until after his death. I guess those photographs were something he wanted to keep secret.
Colin and Isabele sofa photos are quite good eh? -- one or two ring a sort of Balthus in my head balanced right between utter innocence and something more dangerous. If dangerous is the right word --which it really isn't -- but it is. Not. Is. Not.
ReplyDelete:)
Does eroticism always have to do with sex ?
I looked up the definition yesterday (really) -- I think it might have something to do with something you said about Mr. Kees' writing style and a style I too favor -- "presenting something that isn't there" -- the shadows -- the veil. What isn't there -- what our mind puts there.
Way different than Porn. And I don't mean just real Porn but porn-art of any kind. Am I making any sense at all?
Okay. Got my dose. You have a good day.
Colin's sofa pictures do not "speak to me particularly" (to borrow a phrase from your gallery reception post) But I did enjoy the cartoon he posted about the blogger considering his next response. Smart stuff!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel...last night I was looking through a friend's portfolio and just wanted to cry and put my cameras on ebay...
I like the line from Mollino's bio:
"...appeared never to delude himself through aspirations of lofty theoretical notions, preferring instead his own personalised vocabulary." Don't you think that is what most of us are trying to do?
do what you do...it's good!
L, I've admired Balthus since before they would display any but his most insipid works in the museums that had purchased many of his paintings. I tried to answer you in today's post, but I am far too scattered to do that. My life has taken on more work than it can ever possibly handle so that it seems I'll never get to do anything fun again. I'll post that in the comment section.
ReplyDeleteR, Yes, me too. True talent at a distance always inspires awe; too close, and I am oppressed. I'm petty that way.