Journal of Sacred Work

Days 2-6 – What Do You See?

Hands in window   This picture compels an instant question: What is going on? 

   To stay oriented we must find reference points. If we cannot we go "crazy."

   When we wake we must figure out where we are. That is why we frequently forget our dreams.

  This phenomenon can lead to a practice that is discouraging to artists. When most people identify the contents of a canvas they turn away. 

   Once I share the circumstances of this photograph you may think, "Oh, I see" & move on. The artist's dismay is that you miss whatever else a picture has to offer.

   What about the intellectual questions: shape, shadow, form & light? What feelings are provoked? 

   Life pushes speed. Our cell phones hold thousands of snap shots & we make snap judgements hundreds of times a day. 

   The radiologist spots the break in the x-ray. The nurse technician reads a temperature. A Vice President determines the CEO's mood with a glance. 

   These are important decisions. But, art has no "function." By turning away from images too quickly we regularly miss the best life offers.  How does light land in your days & nights? What if you linger longer in another's eyes? What would you notice in the second viewing of a movie?

   The best way to "see" is to engage your sacred heart. Speed is not a part of meaningful encounters. 

-Erie Chapman

Photograph by Erie. The hands are a dry cleaning store mannequin's. Everything else is a reflection. 

   

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7 responses to “Days 2-6 – What Do You See?”

  1. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Fascinating composition, Erie and commentary that seems exceedingly relevant in this age of instant messaging. I found myself doing what you described this morning when reading my brother in laws e-mail. I responded after reading the first line and then read further only to realize I had missed the meaning completely. I responded a second time after having paused to really absorb what was shared. There a few important people in my life that have resisted technologies lure and our primary means of communication is through letter writing. They both happen to live in Vermont, which inspires a different way of being and seeing in this world.
    I have lingered a bit as the artist in you encourages us to do. The lovely old houses have character from an age before track houses. They each hold their own stories of the families who have live in them, perhaps for more than a generation or two. It brings me back to my own childhood neighborhood where everyone seemed to know your name. The hands add an element of surprise, are they a mimes? A magician? Hanging there so prevalent in the forefront they mystify and juxtaposed on the black and white photo, of light and shadow, have almost a spooky quality amid the beauty of the trees, clouded sky, rectangular shapes in the cross walk. The more one gazes the more one sees.
    Thank you for this opportunity to pause and see.

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  2. Chapman Health International Avatar
    Chapman Health International

    Yes. Thank you for choosing to “gaze” and for seeing so much more. This was shot in Cambridge and the old housing may remind you of your part of New England as well. I like the idea of the hands as musicians. Were you surprised to see the context revealed in my post-signature note?:-) Your Vermont relatives are so lucky to receive notes from one as thoughtful as you.

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  3. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Yes, and what is even more remarkable is that the photo is a reflection! I like the image of a musicians hans very much.

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  4. Chapman Health International Avatar
    Chapman Health International

    I actually meant to say ‘magician’ the way you did, Liz:-)

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  5. Teresa Reynolds Avatar
    Teresa Reynolds

    I”m so drawn into the “I don’t know” of this photograph and prefer a chance to wander inside all of the suppositions that it leads to. Thank you for inspiring me.

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  6. Chapman Health International Avatar
    Chapman Health International

    Thank you so much for being willing to “wander inside all the suppositions” of this image. This is the experience everyone can have if they follow your example.

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  7. Todd Meador Avatar
    Todd Meador

    I see magic, wonder and intrigue.
    There is a need to desperately make since of the image. First I find myself trying to determine what I am looking at. Then, how did the artist create it.
    Learning to surrender and appreciate the magic, wonder and intrigue just a little longer is an important lesson for me.
    Sometimes it’s not about the answer, but staying in the unknown or unexplained where we can grow the most.
    I have a feeling that the more I embrace, focus and live in the question the more the answers will be delivered to me.
    Thanks for the lesson and reminder Erie!

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