tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post4205672368171935583..comments2024-03-29T06:46:10.487-04:00Comments on Studio and Garden: The Romance of Worn SurfacesAltoon Sultanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-6452673876215868582012-07-26T16:10:27.649-04:002012-07-26T16:10:27.649-04:00That's an interesting observation, Richard. Of...That's an interesting observation, Richard. Of course if we were in Europe, we might say "after Noveau Realisme".Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-12007083636355920862012-07-26T11:22:25.246-04:002012-07-26T11:22:25.246-04:00A painter friend once told me that when Abstract E...A painter friend once told me that when Abstract Expressionism first gained attention, "we couldn't look at a crushed cigarette pack on the street the same way again."Richardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-30692777928991482412012-07-23T09:48:02.690-04:002012-07-23T09:48:02.690-04:00Thanks for your complex response, Ms. Wis. The wor...Thanks for your complex response, Ms. Wis. The words are obviously important to me too, and they do change things.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-79010001069816909852012-07-23T09:10:30.070-04:002012-07-23T09:10:30.070-04:00When something really has a sense of the personal ...When something really has a sense of the personal past like the iron with the wood, I am more sentimental even if only subliminally. I can appreciate the other surfaces for their wabi sabi quality without thinking about the past. They are what they are. And the words make it into a different object because I can't help but read themLINDA from Each Little Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02380944603357066650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-12292683685855586602012-07-13T06:06:06.922-04:002012-07-13T06:06:06.922-04:00Thank you, Linda, for your thoughts on this subjec...Thank you, Linda, for your thoughts on this subject. Your mention of colors made me immediately think of being in a pigment store with jars and bags of colors.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-52357070003832278962012-07-12T10:47:09.323-04:002012-07-12T10:47:09.323-04:00I feel it's primarily about color, and colors ...I feel it's primarily about color, and colors leading their own lives. It brings out a sensation of wonder and mystery and possessiveness not unlike when you see skeins of wool and silk in a Persian carpet repair shop or pots of watercolors. But those are colors we've captured; these rust or aged colors are always a bit out of reach - they come, as you say, with history and nostalgia and we think, whither? and whence? Thank you again for bringing a joyful fresh look at the world this morning!Linda's Lookouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17449656616625056342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-29405941557648559972012-07-12T09:38:16.104-04:002012-07-12T09:38:16.104-04:00Beautiful description, Ravenna.Beautiful description, Ravenna.steven aimonehttp://www.aimoneartservices.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-77533055766028603712012-07-12T07:12:28.917-04:002012-07-12T07:12:28.917-04:00Thanks, Ravenna. Your idea of the surfaces becomin...Thanks, Ravenna. Your idea of the surfaces becoming more a part of the natural world is a very compelling one, and the metaphor of blending in, like choir voices, is beautiful and apt.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-77899369211164625002012-07-12T07:10:28.864-04:002012-07-12T07:10:28.864-04:00That could certainly be part of it, steven.That could certainly be part of it, steven.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-83266495508542529782012-07-11T23:14:38.533-04:002012-07-11T23:14:38.533-04:00What beautiful photos, Altoon. You raise an intere...What beautiful photos, Altoon. You raise an interesting question. In your comparison of newer farm machinery with the old, it occurs to me that, over time, the colors and surface qualities of things like that are absorbed into the natural world, and maybe the acquisition of that harmony is part of what we are responding to? It's like when we have a good friend for some time, the exchange of understanding, the intuitive blending of ways -- or speaking of blending, like the way voices blend in a choir. The new machinery is like a voice that sticks out and hasn't learned how to sing with the other objects, colors and surfaces around it.Ravenna Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11870831212657666842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-69070850364174033912012-07-11T21:19:50.903-04:002012-07-11T21:19:50.903-04:00I appreciate the point, Altoon. For me, though, th...I appreciate the point, Altoon. For me, though, the dichotomy between the internal and the external is not so clear. Our "identification" with these forms is so much egoic (personal amd conscious) but, rather, a sort of deep, internal "knowing" of some sort...steven aimonehttp://www.aimoneartservices.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-78862293847533052092012-07-11T21:11:53.560-04:002012-07-11T21:11:53.560-04:00Altoon, yes, old hand tools are magical. I remembe...Altoon, yes, old hand tools are magical. I remember you did a post about the Shelburne Farm I liked it very much. It seems these tools have a life given to them by those who used them.<br />Another book I hardly remember was "When Toys Come Alive" which tries to explore the special quality some toys possess. thanks.alicianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-33020203713084449912012-07-11T21:00:39.782-04:002012-07-11T21:00:39.782-04:00alicia, old hand tools are especially touching, ar...alicia, old hand tools are especially touching, aren't they? I don't know that book, but if it's 100 years of a doll's travels, I can imagine it. Someone else mentioned the Velveteen Rabbit.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-32098130546577876022012-07-11T20:58:51.702-04:002012-07-11T20:58:51.702-04:00steven, I personally don't think I identify wi...steven, I personally don't think I identify with these surfaces, though I certainly get your point about all of the world being in flux. I have more of an appreciation, aesthetic and emotional, something more external to my self.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-89088959008841969312012-07-11T20:22:45.214-04:002012-07-11T20:22:45.214-04:00There could be a sentimental reaction but that is ...There could be a sentimental reaction but that is part of it. If you look at an old hand tool it tells something about how it was used by its current appearance which gives it a mysterious quality. This discussion also reminds me of the book Hitty her first Hundred Years about a doll and her travels.alicianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-8643223576796742502012-07-11T20:00:57.729-04:002012-07-11T20:00:57.729-04:00Altoon: I think we respond to these worn surfaces ...Altoon: I think we respond to these worn surfaces for a variety of reasons. Most fundamental, I think, is that we relate or identify with them. We are "worn surfaces," bearing evidence of processes of accumulation and dissipation, forms evolving, phasing in and out of being. Of course, all of nature is in this state of flux, we comprising a small part...steven aimonehttp://www.aimoneartservices.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-17484047762277671362012-07-11T17:36:29.075-04:002012-07-11T17:36:29.075-04:00I'm glad you liked the post and discussion, LP...I'm glad you liked the post and discussion, LP. Thanks for your explanation. I also looked up Wabi-sabi, and it seems to be an aesthetic based on "transience and imperfection" according to Wikipedia, Sabi being beauty that comes with aging and wear. So I suppose that the surfaces I depict might fit the concept at a little bit of a stretch, since a machine would be hard pressed to fit.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-9620331668932206272012-07-11T17:18:21.486-04:002012-07-11T17:18:21.486-04:00The Japanese idea- Wabi- doesn't have a counte...The Japanese idea- Wabi- doesn't have a counterpart in English, because it is not sentimental. If something Wabi becomes sentimental, it is no longer Wabi. It is a more direct experience; without clinging to it, or without elevating it. It is concerned with things just as they are. Our Western Romantic culture is too dualistic to have a cultural counterpart. <br /><br />Enjoyed your pictures and discussion. LPKLP Kasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12431769704000658468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-32337478929525661962012-07-11T16:55:44.404-04:002012-07-11T16:55:44.404-04:00thanks so much to you, R.thanks so much to you, R.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-63851481311791202812012-07-11T16:47:38.488-04:002012-07-11T16:47:38.488-04:00Great post! Terrific photos and pics...thanks so m...Great post! Terrific photos and pics...thanks so much.R Henry Niglhttp://exoptica.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-66393703047771043242012-07-11T16:32:52.840-04:002012-07-11T16:32:52.840-04:00ah, yes, slow and only visible over time.ah, yes, slow and only visible over time.Altoon Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16743040814034732581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658518583188826551.post-80365546541350201812012-07-11T16:26:43.688-04:002012-07-11T16:26:43.688-04:00Slow changes.Slow changes.Martyn Ravensdale.noreply@blogger.com