antanae

I am always on the lookout for collisions in visual irony. In this case, the notion of broadcasting – whether it be the word of God or a mobile phone company broadcasting the internet – and in this particular instance, how they overlap.

These symbols, shared on the same structure, speak to me in a curious way. How does God reach us? Is it through a symbol announcing Her place of worship? Or perhaps a daily prayer app on an iPhone reassuring a troubled soul. Is there really a difference?

Photography is uniquely positioned to present these mixed metaphors… given the trained eye to see them and the conceptual inquiry to lift them into public awareness. Curiously, I receive a real sense of accomplishment in sharing these sometimes gauzy ideas through my photography. As one of my good friends labeled me at Art Center… “Russ, you are the thinking man’s photographer.”

I think, therefore I shoot.

Robert’s image gave me plenty to think about for my submission to the dailyphotogame.com. These open ended images can be taken so many directions, I love/hate them for that very same reason. In following his lead, I considered pretty much everything from A to Zebra, which coincidently I did have in my library. However, I chose to go out and seek and shoot something original, and perhaps a bit unexpected. I think I found that mark with my image of this amazing butterfly. The image presents several “reads”, the butterfly, the eyes, the tearful kiss of a couple and, of course, the Owl, from which this butterfly receives its name… Owl Butterfly from the genus Caligo. As the specimen was between glass, the challenge, besides the 24 hr deadline for the Game, was to eliminate the reflections. I made a couple of successful shots, one of which made use of the shadow only, but chose this one instead… “Hoo Are You”.