Sunday, June 8, 2008

Isolated Moments

The works by Anna Conway make me want to study the details and ponder the meaning behind each painting, each vast space. PaperMag describes her pieces as, "Carefully composed and realistically rendered, they center on bizarre, unsettling moments, the resolve of which are left up to the viewer." They also go on to say, "Conway's works warn that the arbitrary things we do each day disconnect us from ourselves, leaving us dangerously exposed to the whims of chance and external forces." What an interesting topic to explore, don't you think?

When I saw Conway's paintings I thought of the photograph below that I took in the mountains of North Carolina. My friend has a mountain cabin, and if you go far enough into the woods you are surrounded by wilderness and vulnerable to natural forces. I couldn't believe how isolated we were...believe me, the photo doesn't show how vast the landscape was compared to our car. A scary and wonderful feeling illustrating just how small we are in this large world.

18 comments:

Robin said...

I had one of those "how small we are in this big world" moments a couple of years ago in Sedona. When you are at the bottom of a canyon and you look up at the layers and layers of red rock and basalt, and then the trees growing on the top of the basalt layer, and then remember that the canyon you are standing in was carved by wind and water and time, you realize what a speck you are not only on this vast planet but in its timeline.

Jan said...

We have a cabin at the end of the road that is really remote. I just love being there. I know that we a speck in the big picture, but a very important speck to many we are in contact with each day.

Thanks Pleasie.. Can't wait to pretend.

Hila said...

Wow, can somebody say "Sublime"?

AMM blog said...

Paintings? Really? I like the first one, my illustrator husband approves too! {he was peeking over my shoulder just a minute ago!} They look so realistic yet thought-provoking!

Anonymous said...

Pretty moments!! I love that second one especially! The image is so smooth and calming! I want to hop right into it!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for "Vintage Find Pretend Sunday"!! ha ha

dee said...

Those images are so lonely and peaceful at the same time. The top one is my favorite. I thought it was a photograph!

Anonymous said...

I love Robin's comment. Here on the East Coast, you don't see anything like that.

Jessie Cacciola said...

oh, I LOVE the concept of this work!
- Jessie -

Anonymous said...

Wow, I thought they were photographs at first.

Lovely, lovely paintings. I could look at them for hours.

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

I love the middle one!! Such a great idea. Your photo fits in nicely too :)

Anonymous said...

That first one is a bit spooky.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

How striking these photos are. Very interesting. Kind of give you a little chill! -Julia

Anonymous said...

Julia is right -- it does give you a chill. It helps to put things in perspective but I'm not sure if I like the feeling. Although there is no denying that this artist has some major talent. Great post!

Kylie

Anonymous said...

Love these photos!

I lived in North Caroline briefly! We visited several forests and nationally parks, my favorite was Blowing Rock! Have you been there?

please sir said...

Glad you enjoyed these - great your hubby approved. Yes I have been to Blowing Rock - that is actually where this picture was taken! Such a beautiful area.

Jude said...

The post title alone makes me ponder lots of things!

JLC Studio said...

These are fabulous! Love the desolate feeling in each of the pics. Great post!!

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