it’s no good saying “hold it” to a moment in real life
I believe in the photographer’s magic — the ability to stir the soul with light and shape and colour. To create grand visual moments out of small and simple things, and to infuse big and complicated subjects with unpretentious elegance. He respects classic disciplines, while at the same time insists on being fast, modern and wild. – Amyn Nasser
I love photography. I really do. Taking pictures, yes, but more looking at pictures. I also love art museums, but I would still rather study a photograph than a painting (even though I must say I do enjoy the paintings.) Anyway this was reaffirmed by a visit to the Old Church. I had happened to see posters through out the city promoting a World Press Photo Exhibit, with a tragically compelling photo of a murdered gorilla being carried out of the forest. So Tuesday after class (which was wonderfully shortened by the fact we had no viewing – it was film) I headed over to check it out.
Also a bonus was that it was completely covered by my museum card, even though it was a special exhibit!
Anyway, the exhibit was fabulous. World Press’s “mission is to encourage high professional standards in photojournalism and to promote a free and unrestricted exchange of information. World Press Photo aims to support professional press photography on a wide international scale.”
The exhibit displayed winners of the Press’s international photojournalism contest and had categories such as; Spot News, the photo that won was a devastated man standing in the wreckage of the car bomb that killed Benazir Bhutto; General news, a man cradling a wounded boy who was hit with shrapnel during a U.S. air strike; People in the News, a group of mourning teenagers holding a vigil for two murdered friends in Baltimore. Etc. They were divided into Single shots and “Stories” (the above is a mixing of both winners). It was ridiculously compelling, moving at times, funny at others. And a mix of both.
There was a story about circus performers in Poland. One of the most interesting photos there was an old man dressed in his clown attire, but look so solemn it was heartbreaking. I had two other favorites; one was a close of Bhutto adjusting her head scarf, and it conveyed grace and power and submission to old traditions all at the same time; and one of the back of a rebel soldier, a girl with impossibly long hair and a automatic firearm slung over her back. These images and many others make this exhibit a must-see, I’m even heavily considering a return trip.
Also it was kind of cool how it was set up in the church. It’s such an old church (haha get it – actually it’s newer than the New Church, but still, it’s pretty ancient) and the feeling of solemnity and worship conveys an interesting atmosphere to view such contemporary forceful photos in. Plus some of the floor is devoted to graves, so it was interesting walking over them, while surrounded with pictures of war and death and tragedy. All in all it was a great/interesting experience. My only let down was the winner of the entire contest. It was by far one of my least favorite photos of the whole exhibit.
After I left, I had decided to check out the Stedelijk Museum (I think it’s technically a modern art museum) because I had heard there was an awesome photo exhibit there as well. It was an exhibit put on by one of the top organizations for photographers in the world – or something like that. Unfortunately, very sadly, I missed it by a day! So instead was treated to a weird modernist exhibition. I don’t have anything against modern art per se, but it does not appeal to me. Seeing a white canvas on a white wall is not intriguing, it’s lazy. (joking … sort of). Anyway I’m sure if I had stayed longer and studied that artwork I could have found something to appreciate, but I didn’t want to, so I didn’t. I breezed through, making sure I saw the whole exhibit. It wasn’t a waste of time, because I’ve been meaning to check out the museum, but after such a moving and memorable experience at the Old Church I was slightly disappointed.
In other news; Sarah and Christy are house-sitting for one of their professors. Tuesday night Tim and I headed over to check it out. It’s a bit of a way aways, but we made it eventually. It is super cool, too. I would definitely live there, for sure. Also she has the most adorable cat ever. His name is Honore and he is huge. But loveable. And a little persnickety, as every cat I’ve ever met has been, but mostly just shy. The second time I saw him he was little more welcoming. Anyway that was lovely, but while I was there I felt slightly ill, so peaced out. And I felt slightly food-poisoned the rest of the night. However after recuperating on Wednesday by not leaving my apartment, I felt much better. And was all ready to venture to the beach (a big one, not the one that’s close to us) on an IES field trip. However, unfortunately, due to lack of participants and turning weather, it was cancelled : ( which was sad.
Thursday night we just went out to Leidseplein and found a nifty little bar with outside seating and it was fun and lovely. However, I potentially had a presentation the next morning so had to call it a night a little early. The rest of the group sans Alex who also retired early, tried to go to pop trash, but made the unfortunate discovery that it does not exist anymore. Which is really a tragedy!
Anyway on Friday Sarah and Christy hosted a wonderful dinner party at Letje’s place. It was a nice change, and a good night : )
Today I’ve been working on my final paper for Social Trends, and it is not going smoothly. First of all I’m not really sure exactly what I want it to be focused on. I’m writing about Dutch Newspapers to some extent, though so I had something to go on. I think I’m going to concentrate on declining circulation and the methods the Dutch newspapers are taking to combat this international trend … or something. It really sucks. Oh well.
Other thoughts: Only three more weeks : ( It’s really sad I can count the remaining time in weeks, rather than months. Tragic. Though I am looking forward to Ireland! Woot! I found out that my advanced fiction writing prof is super awesome (it was just put up who the prof was, and apparently he’s really smart and good at writing, so yay!). Also the weather has turned a bit to rainy, which I’m actually enjoying. After two straight weeks of perfect warm weather I was getting a little “burnt out” as a fellow IESers punned. I was actually craving a good rain for a while, and I’ve got it. Not much else to report, except trying to get everything I want to do done, while at the same time writing a bitch of a final paper. So …. Peace!
Much Love!
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