I had a chance to see the Magritte exhibit at the Art Institute the other week and Wow what a site. The exhibit is coming to a close this next weekend and if you have a chance I urge you to go.
I remember as a young boy thumbing through books that my brother had of artist like Vasarely, Dali, Escher, and Magritte. At the time he was very involved in painting in high school and had these books and his paintings around the house. Being 8 years younger, these picture books were fascinating to me. Little did I realize the impact these images would have years later, I only realized it after walking through the Magritte exhibit.
About 15 years ago, I attended a workshop in Santa Fe where the instructor encouraged us to have a creative journal. The idea was that our creativity was like a muscle and with practice every day we would become more able to tap into our creativity. It didn’t really matter what we did, write, draw, paste. I followed the practice for quite a time and I started collaging. I really enjoyed playing with the creativity. I was most interested in taking image parts and recombining them to make interesting graphic juxtapositions and arrangements. Playing with these compositions helps me practice my compositions I need to create for both portraits and product work. I like to think I’m working on my sense of casual random organization.
I was actually told this by a photographer whom I worked with years ago when I was assisting in the in the city. I was arranging colostomy bags and accessories in a “family” images. I would arrange, light and take a polaroid of the grouping then show it to Dick for any changes or approval. He remarked at the casual organization of the items, that it looked as if it was thrown out on the table but still had an organized quality. I like my family images to have the same feel… casual and natural.
Which brings me back to Magritte…. All those books I looked at, the Sundays Dad dragged us to the Art Institute, The plays and concerts. It all added up and helps to create the vision and foundation for my photography. It reminded to give my kids the same exposure to art and culture that I had… you never know where it might have a huge impact in their future.
