TODAY'S PHOTO
-
Relishes and condiments at the buffet, awaiting pick-up to be
enjoyed by the yet-to-be seated diners at yesterday's "Table
for 8."
This is another view from the 5th floor indoor hotel balcony.
Since yesterday's photo drew such an interesting response (see
COMMENTS), I decided to feature
one more photo from the scene. This one with its variety of
colors and shapes more clearly shows the contrasts of the hard
edges of the tables, the ovals and round shapes in the serving
dishes and trays, with the even stronger lines created by the
diagonal squares and, seeming, rectangles in the floor. There
is also great repetition of color, causing the whole to work
"artistically.
To me the whole image evokes almost a festive quality because
of the colors. The feeling though is mellowed by knowing the
actual contents in the dishes and the softness of the shadows.
What feelings are evoked for you? Do you want to barge in or
would you simply like to savor the tastes? Are there places
in your life where you can stop and savor the tastes of experiences
today.
ANOTHER TABLE - by ARTIST JUDY CHICAGO
Something about yesterday's table and the responses which followed,
had me recall Judy Chicago's, The Dinner Party. I went to Google
to track down photos. See THE
DINNER PARTY - 1974-79.
From a period when many of you were not yet born, Sam and I
were very fortunate to have experienced this monumental exhibit,
celebrating women at a time when women were not yet recognized
in the leadership roles that many have achieved today. It was
quite controversial during those years and controversy still
exists around the exhibit, including in Washington, DC, where
it was refused a home. In 2006 it will be permanently installed
in the Brooklyn Museum.
From the home page of that site -
"Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party elevates female achievement
in Western history to a heroic scale traditionally reserved
for men. The Dinner Party is a massive ceremonial banquet in
art, laid on a triangular table measuring forty-eight feet on
each side.
. . .the artist represents thirty-nine
"guests of honor" by individually symbolic, larger-than-life-size
china-painted porcelain plates rising from intricate textiles
draped completely over the tabletop. . . .The runners name the
39 women and bear images drawn from each one's story."
Again, see THE
DINNER PARTY," which highlights the "ways Judy
Chicago defied tradition, and challenged the usual boundaries
of the contemporary art world. "
I highly recommend going to the site and spending some time
there. In addition to fascinating history and art, I
found a great-looking book that cat lovers especially would
appreciate. See KITTY
CITY which includes watercolors of her cat.
READER COMMENTS ON THE LAST ISSUE
- Issue
112
"I'd love to sit at this table and eat whatever is going
to be served! :~)
The pattern of the settings is like a clock face. And it looks
like someone got interrupted while they were setting everything
up :~)" Debra Schanilec and immediately after reading
Debra's e-mail,
former engineer, Bob Tatem, gave us the answer:
"The open space is apparently because in setting the
table the waiter neglected to bring enough silverware
the place setting requires another two forks and a grapefruit
spoon."
I'm still chuckling at the obviousness of it and that I totally
missed it!
"Someone really knows how to set a table! I saw a clockface,
too." Mary Gray
"Sheila, I love both pictures of the tables. I also thought
the first one looked like a sundial. The pictures are so different
and each beautiful in it's own way.
Isn't life just like that? you look at something close to you
and each aspect becomes a world of it's own, but step away and
see it in the context of the world, and the picture is totally
different. I don't know why, but I think of the words from "The
Power of Now" ( I am paraphrasing) there is a difference
between a life situation and your life. When we are entangled
in difficult situations, it is sometimes hard to remember that.
I guess this is pretty far out for table settings (ha)."
Noelle Randall
I have enjoyed your PTP "Table for 8" and your comments
about it! Perhaps Arthur and his knights would have a good time
around this kind of table!" Andrea Turci, a new subscriber
from Argentina. Welcome!
And, from my friend and mentor, Julie
Jordan Scott:
"This photo is positively amazing...I just had a vivid
image of my Creativity Camp, artist retreat tables.... set and
ready to receive artists and artists' families.... ready for
creative breakthrough.
This image is one I will print out and keep close at hand,perhaps
attached to the wall by my computer and at other places, too......"
I asked Julie what was special for her about the photo and
she replied:
"I ...enjoyed the exponential circles in the picture, the
whiteness of it, the formality and the celebration of it....
felt like a wedding reception or another festive occastion marking
something really cool ike the beginning of the greatest month
of my life.
(I almost hesitated to add this part, but I also saw a cross
in shadow on the table, which to me spoke of resurrection -
which even outside of a Christian experience is a really powerful
point of reference.)
And that beginning of the greatest month of my life would be.....
Yes, that would be June, 2005." (back to TODAY'S
PHOTO)
ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIBERS DESIRED -
If you you are enjoying PICTURE TO PONDER please pass your experiences
of it on to your friends and colleagues and suggest that they,
too, SUBSCRIBE.
The link for today's issue is http://www.eteletours.com/issue113.html,
if you wish to share this particular one. In many instances,
the photos are not picked up if you simply forward the issue.
Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila@eteletours.com
--
© 2005 Sheila Finkelstein
http://www.eteletours.com
Alphabetic Listing of the First 100 issues
http://www.eteletours.com/list-first100.html
12
Most Favored Photos in First 100 issues
BUY
gifts with Picture to Ponder images
http://www.cafepress.com/natureart
Watch for the Dates
2005 Teleclasses for
Expanding Creativity - Transforming Perceptions
|