There is a little over 4 weeks until I leave Paros and head back to America. As I wrote before, my digital work has undergone an enormous transformation. My film work has shifted as well, but more in terms of process and technical skill than any real artistic sense. Socially I am still a 45-year old man in a school of predominantly women under the age of 25. They are at that odd place in life when although society considers them adults, they have yet to suffer Hamlet’s slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Their emotional forms are soft and romantic, unsullied by the realities of daily life in the cold, dark world. Granted, there will be joys and pains immeasurable in their future, but for now they are safely nurtured in their own cocoons. The winds of inevitable winter will toughen their skins, as it always does.
In regards to that, my age and gender have kept me from being a part of their youthful gaggle. My own work is more focused, my own energy more economized to slog through the next 28 days until the school show. I have had some technical setbacks in the darkroom and unfortunately I am feeling the social disconnect there as well. Much of this is in my head. I will shake it out and get back to work.
More to come…
JDCM
I’m sorry to hear about that. I know how difficult it can be to go to school with young women (and men) who are young enough to be my children. I hope the other issues work out as well.