Thursday 28 October 2010

Picture vs. Photograph: bonus track

I'm very pleased with this one, and I'm posting it as a "bonus track" to the previous post. I've started to work up an interest in the use of blank white shapes -- those much-feared "blown highlights" -- in the compositional process.




A massive prize (payable in Kudos, the rival to the Euro and the US Dollar) to anyone who can figure out what this actually is (tiny clue: it's also in the Ashmolean).

8 comments:

Bronislaus Janulis / Framewright said...

It's a reflection in curved glass, showing a lurking zombie just outside the building, that you snapped just before it gets you, so we'll all know what happened?

Mike C. said...

You're pretty close... But the "zombie" is closer than that.

Mike

Bronislaus Janulis / Framewright said...

Halloween display, skeleton, reflected in the rear lens of a car.

Mike C. said...

In the Ashmolean Museum? Now you're getting colder, much colder...

Mike

Mike C. said...

Bron gets the giant sack of kudos for at least coming close (all other suggestions came by email).

It's an engraved glass goblet by Laurence Whistler (1912-2000), lit and revolving continuously on a stand, depicting a ruined church with death (as seen seen on pirate flags) stalking the scene.

Whistler was marvellously skilled at 3D effects in glass: check this memorial to his artist brother Rex (killed in WW2) in Salisbury Cathedral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAkg95TdrY8

If you like that music, btw, it's on the John Harle CD "Terror & Magnificence", where you can also hear Elvis Costello singing songs from Shakespeare.

Mike

Bronislaus Janulis / Framewright said...

Thanks Mike! My own bag of Kudos!

Readability issues any one? Even now that you've explained it, it's tough, though art has no obligation to be easy.

Just watched the video; quite enchanting; though there is mention that Rex lived in the cathedral "close". ?? Never mind, wikipedia to the rescue.

OT, but word verification "lighted", seems apropos.

Bron

Mike C. said...

The Close is the street next to the Cathedral, where ex-Prime Minister Ted Heath had his gaff.

"Readability issues"? As I always say, I'm making pictures "from" things, not "of" things. I like this one for that white stripe that cuts out the top corner, the purplish blue of the reflected window, and the way the skeleton lurks out of focus (though I admit knowing that it's rotating towards you adds something that can't be conveyed by the image alone).

Mike

Bronislaus Janulis / Framewright said...

Mike,

""Readability issues"? As I always say, I'm making pictures "from" things, not "of" things. "

Very good explanation. And thank you for the intro to the Whistler bros. and also John Harle.

As in other comments, what I see as viewer is often far different that what you as creator envision.

Now, I have chores, and some new sax concerto's to listen too.

Bron