Category: Hand Made: Art and Craft

The Leica User Group March Assignment: Local evidence of economic downturn—scene 1, take 1

About a month ago a number of LUG (Leica User Group) members thought it worthwhile to take on an occasional “assignment.” This group of both amateur and professional photographers, from around the world, will bring an interesting international flavor to any topic. I’ve posted a list of contributors with links to their contributions here.

So here’s my first take on the LUG Assignment for March “Document the effects of the worldwide economic downturn, as you see it unfolding, in your city, town, village, social group or family.” (the link will take you to a pdf for viewing or download)

This, my “first take,” does not feel complete. I don’t feel that I’ve gotten into the subject as deeply as I’d like. It still feels like a work in progress. The deadline, for me, has moved from March 31 to “whenever it’s finished.” I’ll continue to work this subject; meet and interview people; observe new evidence of the condition of our local economy; whether improving or declining.

If you have a story to tell and live in the Greater Milwaukee area (Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties). I’d like to talk to you. Drop me line.

Enlightening: communion with ancestors

a simple lamp shade
now illuminates the stair landing

made from oak sticks
(left over from the parquet floor installation)
and a little mulberry paper

standing in front of dad’s milling machine
making 32 (near) perfect cuts
for 16 lap joints
provided precious time to commune
with his (tool and die maker) spirit
as well as his father’s (cabinet maker) spirit

smell the oak shavings
and well oiled steel

see
the roots of the mighty oak
clawing the damp earth
paper drying on felts
in a far away land

the soul of the matter
create usefulness
mindfully

Equivalence.

“The idea of equivalence is an equation that is all at once. It takes in the entire mind. Everything works for a moment. The blessing of the photographic image is the precision involved. There is no chance, except the chance that there is an intelligent being who will press the shutter at the moment of the equation. Then the image stays as a cogent emblem of eternity.” – Walter Chappell

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on the way to a meeting
about a (maybe) video shoot
stopped at the falls
to feel the season
the day
the moment

didn’t get the gig
only an equivalent

What’s the story? (and where have you been)

Walking along Farwell Avenue
evidence found
of another’s pause and edit of
what I assume to be
an alcoholic beverage
(I’m thinking
Ann can never get enough olives
in her virgin mary’s) 

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“If photography is about anything it is the deep surprise of living in the ordinary world. By virtue of walking through the fields and streets of this planet, focusing on the small and the unexpected, conferring attention on the helter-skelter juxtapositions of time and space, the photographer reminds us that the actual world is full of surprise, which is precisely that most people, imprisoned in habit and devoted to the familiar, tend to forget.” –John Rosenthal – “Design as Meaning: An Artist’s View of His World and His Art.”

And: Been away from the computer and the cameras; haven’t added an entry to this blog in almost three weeks. Why not? Well, I’ve been painting walls and laying parquet floors one 3/4″ X 5/16″ oak board at a time. The return to wood, planes, rasps and the Japanese saw was a pleasure which left the body hurting from lack of practice.

Panning for gold in the stream: twitter 4 months later

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My friend, David White, introduced me to twitter. As a web designer and marketing consultant I felt a need to know; to keep up with trends. I began following people that David followed; and posted my first brief message on November 22nd, 2008. It took a lot of time to read what seemed banal and/or narcissistic 140 character messages from people I didn’t really know. Occasionally someone would post a link to a web site or blog which actually had value to me or my business. Mostly I read messages about the value of twittering and social media as marketing and PR tools. It seemed strange; sort of like people calling each other on their phones and constantly talking about how the telephone is a great tool for marketing and PR; or handing out flyers which state over and over again that flyers are great marketing and PR tools. Obviously I wasn’t following the right people. Another crazy thing: we’re only seeing one side of conversations. You have to follow the people that those you follow talk to in order to receive the whole conversation; such as it is. This all feels quite tedious. And for what? An occasional useful link or bit of knowledge.

Then there’s my little messages going out there with links to my work or blog posts. Most times I get no response. I have no idea if anyone found it useful or interesting. Feels quite weird. However, lately I’ve found myself finding and following filmmakers, designers, artists and musicians; as well as buddhists and zen practitioners. And things have become more interesting; at least for my sensibility. All of a sudden I began to receive some positive feedback and participate in conversations which I can actually relate to.

Last week I created a new web page-site poetographs.com to post work which puts words into a graphic context that, hopefully, enhances meaning. I put the link out on twitter and received a number of retweets (RT). Bing Futch, a beautiful and generous musician, responded and RT’d the link. I had some poetographs from back in 2004 which I wanted to resurrect as a series. I put them into a movie form and sent the link to Bing. Within 24 hours Bing returned a link with sound added to the movie. Now that’s gold my friends. Perhaps a small nugget. But solid gold nonetheless. Here’s our collaboration. Thank you Bing. Strange as it seems; thank you twitter; I get it.

Buckwheat Zydeco tries to warm me up at Turner Hall

Last Thursday I went to hear Buckwheat Zydeco at Turner Hall; in an attempt to warm up a bit; and also get in synch with our friends in NOLA. Didn’t quite work out. As a huge Clifton Chenier fan I’ve been watching Buckwheat for the past decades; hoping he may pickup where Clifton left off.

Alas, not yet. Buckwheat never seemed to hit the groove at Turner Hall. Although a fair number in the audience got to their feet, created their own heat and found their own groove.

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Life, as we knew it, vanishing before our eyes.

“As a fledgling street photographer strolling up and down the streets of cities, I quickly became aware of Time and its erosive power. …for it seemed to me that what was about to vanish was important and irreplaceable, and frankly, I wanted my photographs to offer, in some manner, the power of resuscitation. Actually, I still do, though I no longer believe that photographs can prevent the homely past from being plowed under; rather, I believe that photographs – especially good photographs that compel our interest – help us to remember; and even more importantly, they help us to decide what is worth remembering.” — John Rosenthal –Exhibition lecture, National Humanities Center

Mr. Rosenthal expresses my own feelings as I walked a once vibrant, commercial street this past Sunday; and this, surrounded by an upscale, residential, neighborhood. Forty percent of the commercial buildings now stand empty; some for years. The fashion boutique shops – some gone; one remains; yet, looking shabbier with each visit. The independent coffee shop and a chain restaurant – long gone. A food market, hardware store, one upscale restaurant and a movie theatre hang on. The independent bookseller struggles to survive under new management.

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Wishing wells and mandalas

listen to warm
thaw watching egos dissolving
into a sea of compassion

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