D. von Briesen
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 p.8 #8 · Peter Lik Comedy image | |
something like this mark?
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http://ic2.pbase.com/o2/10/364410/1/124121299.6elZfVNW._Q8V5257.jpg |
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all but the two hikers required absolutely perfect planning and execution.
but it's the wondrous serendipity of the hikers sitting, in their own private moment, holding hands, and watching the same moon as me, that makes this one of the most magic singular 'timeless moments' (thanks, David Muench) I've been fortunate to capture.
i guess in the long run there are lies, damnable lies, and Mr. Lik's version of his artistic 'truth.'
That he's laughing his way to the bank, that he probably loves this kind of endless controversy about his questionable ethics, that it's likely even part of a calculated 'business' plan to achieve still greater fame & fortune (although, as he used to note in the second line of his bio, he places little stock in such things as his description of himself, in line one of that same bio, as the "most important landscape photographer on the planet!!"), reveals to me a man in thrall to his monetary success, his own self importance and whose images leave me flat and without connection.
for me, and just me, i simply can't connect with his manufactured moments; moments that are, in fact, not moments at all. even if he spoke the truth, such is his 'art' that all i can see is Peter the profiteer, the marketing genius, the privately-held corporate photography IPO waiting to happen. Jump aboard and grab a limited edition, keep it wrapped tightly next to your Barbies and your Barry Bonds first editions, and watch the value sky rocket.
that said, one has to wonder if all that bullshit masks his own insecurity about his work; one would think he's good enough, famous enough, successful enough that he could just tell the truth and still sell all he wants.
Or would that hurt sales?
Photographer or corporate Kincaid? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and people's reactions to Lik tell me as much about them as it does about Lik.
Recognizing too, that it reveals much about me to you. Money is nice; recognition important and self-sustaining; but the beauty of nature, in my eyes and to yours thru what i work to capture, has always been the most important thing.
The capture of timeless magic moments, by their very nature, requires rigid artistic honesty. the masterful work of those artists that let this kind of integrity inform their creativity, resonates always. some are considered the very best at the art form; still others, like so many on this forum, are quietly passionate about the beauty nature offers.
Lik leaves me cold & others gladden my heart. Thanks.
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