The Beauty in Not Showing Everything
In this scene taken from At Eternity’s Gate, Van Gogh depicted by Willem Dafoe, is speaking with the barmaid who sees him reading Shakespeare in such a small book. The barmaid’s confusion as to why the writings are enjoyable to him is explained in this sequence.
This principle of finding joy in something that is not clearly conveyed is common and threaded into many different mediums. Movies, photography, even music. Take Boards of Canada’s music for example.
There is something about the “unclear” that people find uncomfortable yet enjoyable.
Most of media is filled with concise messages because we don’t have the patience or the time to decipher and linger in imagination. It’s sad really. We need bright, fast, and obvious visuals that send a direct message. We are told rather than provoked.
David Hockney
said it best…
“If you see the world as beautiful, thrilling and mysterious, as I think I do, then you feel quite alive.”
Photo c/o The New York Times
The result of mystery is feeling alive. Feelings and thoughts that have been laying dormant get to surface and be put to work. The reason being is that this feeling of “mystery” it’s not an everyday encounter.
What results is the possibility of learning something you don’t know.
An exercise in imagination comes into play.
One of the most enjoyable interactions I’ve had
while working was with a man who came up
to me after seeing a series of photos I did.
He said, “I hate them. They make me so uncomfortable.”
His comment sparked conversation. It reminded me of one of the reasons why I love photography so much. What usually may be a quick interaction with a passing comment of, “that’s pretty” can now be a discussion of provoked thoughts and feelings. Maybe even of ones that you forgot about.
Dzesika
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