Perception is a strange thing. I had studied these photos of Ron Mueck’s sculpture of a boy for quite a while. They are obviously from 2 different exhibitions. The larger of the 2 was in a gallery with soaring dimensions. Also, the photo is taken from a height above. The figure of the boy appears to be looking down at the spectators. There is something slightly menacing about him, as if he’s contemplating standing up and then stomping on the people. Or, perhaps, he’s thinking of playing with them as if they were dolls. The sculpture seems in proportion with the space, it’s the people who seem small and insignificant.

In the second photo, the boy seems cramped. His outsized figure can barely fit in the space he’s been allotted. This time he’s looking off in the distance. He has a thousand-yard stare. The people aren’t menaced by him at all. The space is theirs and he can do nothing but crouch down in it.

Many aspects of life can be contrasted this way. A situation that seems huge in one context, can seem more in proportion (or at least manageable) in another context. Yes, it’s all in how you look at it. (more…)

I love this photo of Jeanne Moreau and Orson Welles. It’s from the film, Chimes at Midnight made in the mid ‘60s. Welles was far past his prime, while Moreau was just reaching her pinnacle. Welles lived on, but his genius displayed so early in his life, was spent.

I worked with him near the end of his life. He could barely walk for his bulk. He was to be the host/narrator for a mystery series, but it was obvious that he had little interest and even less energy. It was like watching a ghost: promise unkept. (more…)