HAPPY NEW YEAR! Creative Vision Newsletter, January 1, 2024
Deepen The Mystery
“The Job Of The Artist Is Always To Deepen The Mystery”– Francis Bacon
This is one of my favorite quotes on art and photography in particular.
At its core, Bacon suggests that art is not merely about representation or imitation of the real world. Instead, it's about exploring and evoking the unknown, the ambiguous, and the enigmatic. By deepening the mystery, artists and photographers inspire their viewers to engage in a deeper, more introspective examination of their work, their subjects, and themselves.
This stands in stark contrast to the idea that art should clarify or explain. While some art forms and movements focus on realism, directness, and clarity, Bacon's view - as well as my own - aligns more with abstract and expressionist ideals. These forms of art often let go of literal depiction in favor of evoking emotions, thoughts, and questions that may not have straightforward answers.
In essence, Bacon's view of the artist's job as deepening the mystery highlights the power of art to provoke thought, elicit emotion, and perpetuate an endless dialogue between the artwork and the viewer. It's a reminder that art - which includes photography - is not always about finding answers but often about asking better, more profound questions.
To paraphrase what my friend, William Neill said on my podcast last month, a good photo should ask more questions than it answers.
Deepen the mystery.
“The moment you think you understand a great work of art, it’s dead for you” – Oscar Wilde
Favorite Travel Hacks
Download maps in offline mode, so you can navigate with less battery and mobile data - or no data at all!
Travel with a power strip that has multiple electrical sockets and USB ports for charging gadgets. Many hotels have less than an ideal number of outlets and only need one plug adapter.
There’s an old adage: Bring half the clothes and twice the money you think you’ll need.
When traveling to another country, enroll in the State Department's STEP program. You will stay informed of the local safety conditions, help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency - whether a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency occurs , and assist family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
When I check into a hotel, the first thing I do is grab a business card at the front desk and put it in my wallet. Later if I get lost, I won’t need to remember the hotel or explain to the taxi driver (who may not speak my language) where I’m staying. I just hand them the card.
When flying, carry on anything that you absolutely cannot do without for the next 48 hours (i.e. meds, a pair of clean underwear and socks, a spare shirt, toothbrush and personal hygiene items, etc). Luggage still gets lost, diverted, or delayed.
Once through security, buy a large bottle of water to carry on the plane.
I have Apple Air Tags in my check-in luggage, my camera bag, and briefcase/computer bag.
For you true travel gadget geeks, check out Matt Mullenweg’s bag and list of travel accessories he never leaves home without. Matt is the founder of Wordpress and a prolific traveler.
What I’ve Been Pondering
The things we fear the most are often the things we most need to do.
The quote is mine,I suppose, but probably not original either. It’s an old, but important, idea that sometimes needs attention and a reminder.
New Years Resolution?
Quit making the same old mistakes. Make new ones.
New Podcast Episode
Hanne Strager
The Killer Whale Journals and Our Love and Fear of Orcas
Hanne Strager is a Danish biologist, whale researcher, and author of the award-winning book, The Killer Whale Journals: Our Love and Fear of Orcas and A Modest Genius: The Story of Darwin’s Life and How His Ideas Changed Everything. Hanne co-founded Norway's Andenes Whale Center and has served as the Director of Exhibitions at the Natural History Museum of Denmark.
Hanne is an expert on all things Orcas
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Overcast
Topics:
The spark that ignited Hanne's interest in orcas.
The epiphany on the seas of Norway
What’s in a name? Killer Whale or Orca?
Orca Culture
A Massacre in Iceland
Orcas in Captivity
Russia’s Whale Jail
Seattle's Orphaned Orca
Twofold Bay and Old Tom
The orca sighting that brought Hanne to tears
Listen To The Entire Episode on:
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And you can get 10% off any product on the Kase Filters Amazon Page when you use coupon code BERNABE10 at check out.
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Here’s to Truth, Adventure, and Passion…
I like your quote, reminiscent of Jung who said, "Where your fear is, there is your task." Both are a call to embrace and integrate our shadow into our conscious selves.
So beautifully true.... art should not scratch the surface of thought but pull the viewer into and encourage critical thinking of what they are viewing. That with the mix of emotion the art evokes is enriching for the viewer.... and the beauty of that is it varies person to person.