Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, forest, 30 March, 2023

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, forest, 30 March, 2023

 watercolour, A3 SOLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, forest, 30 March, 2023- detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, forest, 30 March, 2023- detail

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An Interview with a Croton

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Croton

 

 

 First they came for the Spider plants…

an Interview with a Croton 

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Interviewer: First of all, I’d like to welcome you to your new address, and to hope that you settle in easily and feel at home.

Croton: Thank you. I`m very glad to be here…

I: I’d like to start by asking you about your early life: what can you remember from your first days in the nursery?

C. My memories of this time are sometime very precise, sometimes hazy, and I’m sure that some of what I think of as recollections are really photographs that I have seen since then…however, I do have a strong impression of a large enclosure of hundreds of my fellow seedling Crotons in rows on trestle tables waiting for fresh doses of fertilizer, then our transportation in shallow trays to replanting in larger pots. 

I remember the frequent inspections by the head gardener: a severe man in a peaked cap - always angry. Everyone was afraid when he came, the other gardeners included: he ‘d look over and shout: why is the soil so dry: Or did you forget to water this section? Look at this pathetic seedling! We`d sweat sap in fear.

The severity he meted to the assistant gardeners was, in turn, passed on to us. So, following the head’s visit, vicious actions, reprisals: weaker Croton seedlings uprooted, then cast into the composting bin… to be assaulted with pitchforks by a team of especially vicious trainee gardeners…or, contrary to every basic right, labeled with fluorescent tabs and sent to the discount section, joining a pathetic collection of sagging cacti, chipped ceramics and out of date insecticide. Needless to say, conditions in the discount section were brutal…

I: What happened to you after that?

C. We were numbered with barcodes, a humiliating experience. When we reached 7 cm we were divided into two groups: one for immediate shipping and another that would be kept until they reached  30 cm height, when they too would be deported. 

Only very few of us were  considered to have the potential to justify the extra investment in time and care that 30cm necessitated, so to qualify for this second group was considered an “honour”: we were, you might say, an “elite”.

I was selected for his group because  of my exceptional leaf growth and stem fitness: I have aristocratic roots.

I. And?

Croton stops for a moment, to recover its bearings and receive a glass of water

I: What happened after the period in the nursery?

C. We were lined up for another inspection. Then we were placed in plastic sacks: these have a particular smell, sharp, chemical…. unforgettable, nauseous, it`ll stay with me for the rest of my life…Then into cardboard trays: each held exactly 18 Crotons, though at this point occasionally other plants were included : orchids, aspidistra, cacti.

I: How was that?

C. This mixing caused immense friction. Both the mixing and the separation from other Croton which, in the nursery we’d grown accustomed to, we'd bonded, become a kind of family. But now a definite rivalry, a pecking order emerged, with certain plants- especially orchids, assuming a superiority over the rest of us.

 Isn’t it terrible that even among the subjugated there is hierarchy and further oppression? The oppressed imitate their oppressors, yes they do! And pass the same oppression down… and I do still have to work to try to understand the orchids…should we not be united against injustice?

 Anyway… we were driven in dark trucks sometimes for several days, without water or fertilizer or proper light… of course, this is contrary to every basic right…we were taken to garden centres, supermarkets…conditions were not good…some of us did not make it. I was bought in a supermarket, then another journey this time by car, then a scorching balcony, then replanting…

A pause: Croton`s leaves droop.

1.  You`ve been through so much. How do you process memories like that?

C. You can never truly overcome such experiences. You can,  perhaps, attempt a form of forgiveness. And you must avoid rumination…and practice gratitude…of course. We must educate the young…you know, the system, the system has its rationale..the amoral rationale of Capitalism…but it’s the minor needless cruelties that I can't get my leaves around, the barbaric treatment of damaged or malformed plants…the mockery of junior staff…well, one tries to overcome this… forgiveness is always a process, to recognise with pity the reduced opportunities that our tormentors might have themselves have had…yes, I am a survivor, not a victim…but… it isn't easy….

1.  And how are you adjusting to life here?

C. I’m settling in, trying to put down roots. I'm blessed with my caretaker - the most wonderful, kind man; anyone who met him would agree. But at first there were issues. I was placed on the balcony and my leaves became scorched. Then I was given the stool, where the Peace Lily once sat ….but, you know the Peace lily (sneers) Peace lily!, has been less than neighborly since…

1.  How do you spend your time?

C. I am working on several projects- a book, and an educational programme for schools to increase plant rights awareness, especially awareness of genetically modified and trans plants, who you hear some say - fascists say- are not real plants- a marginalized group and disproportionately the victims of violence, even legal actions, attempts to de-plant them, to deny them their very plantiness, then ban them from public spaces. And, of course, I’m promoting spaces for personal growth, and natural healing where plants can speak and their voices heard…

I. Plant rights are still not given the attention they deserve…

C. That, sadly, is a bitter truth. There’re always protests when ancient forests are chopped down, but how many activists chain themselves to the rubber plants in Homebase? And maybe they complain about excessive fertilizer use on fields, but have you ever seen a protester repotting a geranium? 

This story is so familiar, and yet it sometimes seems society has learnt nothing. 

What can I add?...First they came for the Spider plants, but I did not speak out because I was not a Spider plant….?

1.  Can you leave us with some words of hope?

C. I’ll leave you with an ancient African saying, which we might remember when we feel dispirited,  “The best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut it into many pieces' '. Every big problem can be made into many which, little by little, we shall overcome some day. 

Interviewer and Croton sit for a moment in silence. A shaft of sunlight crosses the room, before resting on the Crotons foliage.

1. Thank you.

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An unappealing thing

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An unappealing thing, blu-tac, match

 

 

There is much that is beautiful in the world and my objective here was to create something which  people will find unappealing, without resorting to obviously repellent mimetics (representations of unappetising phenomena) or recourse to unpleasant symbolism (symbols associated  morally dubious groups or individuals, such as the Nazi party).

I started with an unattractive material, blue tac, which has a grey colour. It has a slightly grainy texture. It also has an odd property which is that it can be stretched if warmed and pulled very slowly, and can also snap.

 Thinking about it now though, the grey is actually quite nice, its a soft, grey leaning towards yellow. It would never be my favourite colour (which for the record is a marron red, or jade green or golden yellow depending on my mood) Maybe here a dirty pink would be better?

However, I would say that the texture of blu-tack here is not very pleasant, at least to me. I don`t know about you, but I`m really a smooth surfaces person. I  always say no to rustic.

My blue tac has been formed into a sphere- or rather, an almost sphere. Such an almost form is, I think basically unsatisfying. I believe incompletion and irregularity are essentially unpleasing, unless they are given a specific context - i.e. a rough path surface which serves to provide a better grip, or the dissonance used in certain pieces of music by, say Mahler.

 I added a blotch of blue tac to give an additional unpleasantness. Do you see how it looks a bit like a scab? I hope so. I`m breaking my rule of avoiding obviously unpleasant mimetics- here I admit it.

I also drove several (four) small holes in the surface with the matchstick before inserting it into a fifth.  Arbitrariness has, I feel, a disturbing quality, the sense that there`s no rhyme or reason for something is   annoying, pointlessly provocative. It is argued that one of the definitions of the classical in art is in  completion, harmoniousness- so that no element can be added or removed without destroying this balance. I hope I have, in contrast, succeeded in  creating a piece in which  elements can be added, moved  or removed without disturbing its essential quality, leaving its meaning- its ugliness - intact.

 In addition, the act of puncturing the surface of the piece conveys an aggression towards the piece (perhaps a metaphor for self harm?) which I trust views will recoil from. Of course, there is an established tradition of the fragment in art, one of the many strange borrowings from the re-discovery of Greek art by Northern Europe in the 18th century, and which resulted in the deliberate production of fragmented pieces by forgers, and ultimately detached hands, heads faces- by Rodin and Brancusi among others. 

But, in contrast to the considered fractioning of these masters, my action here is merely violent, conveying nothing more than the idle idiocy of the casual vandal, and I trust viewers will recoil from the sight of these four puncture holes.

I hope also that viewers will find the matchstick sticking up like that- basically stupid and pointless. 

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It's nice to find something inside a box

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It's nice to find something inside a box

 

 1. A box. How curious. I wonder if it has anything inside? 

Why not give it a little shake? 

Ooooh...a faint rattling sound!

 

2. Now, push the little try. A glimpse of what's inside...

 

3. Whoah, what can that be?

4. A twist tie! So useful.

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho: avenue, 27 March 2023

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho: avenue, 27 March 2023

 watercolour, A3 NOT FOR SALE

 

 

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho: avenue - detail

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho: avenue - detail

 

  

This is the third from this avenue. 

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Light brown envelope

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Light brown envelope

 

Here is something I received from a shop. When the plump lady serving put my item (a small tube of green paint) in the bag I was extremely pleased. 

Why were you pleased?

A. It was unexpected. In days when relations have a sorry predictability the unexpected is (almost) something to be grateful for in itself especially when it is also…

 

B. thoughtful. The lady obviously knew that the chances of losing the tube would be much higher if  I were to carry undeveloped

 

C. I was so grateful that she did not use a plastic bag as I just find paper things more pleasant texturally 

 

D. The quality of this particular envelope is noteworthy- reassuring slightly stiff- yes, a little unyielding. and dare I say somewhat old fashioned, so you might imagine that, were it to come to life, that it would speak in the manner of a retired military man, a mid-ranking officer, the sort that make appearances in David Lean films.

 

E. The colour is extremely pleasing. So much packaging seems to feel the need to shout, to demand attention. By contrast the self assured modesty of this envelope is so pleasing British. British, that is, in a way which does still just about exist, with that quality of calm reserve? A country whose coins and postage stamps do not carry its name.

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, Avenue, 21 March, 2023

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, Avenue, 21 March, 2023,

watercolour, A3

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, Avenue, 21 March, 2023 - detail

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, Avenue, 21 March, 2023- detail

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, a tree, March 17, 2023

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, a tree, March 17, 2023

 watercolour, A3

 

 

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, a tree-  detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Spaghetti

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Spaghetti

 

 

 

This is what I ate today (16 March 2023 at about 11.30 am), and it`s being served on one of my four large plates. The plate design has a certain insanity about it- characteristic of the acid-trip designs sold by the Brazilian ceramics firm which has the very un-psychedelic and stoical name "Oxford".

 I admit that there is something disturbing about my spaghetti. I think it suggests a sea anemone:I feel anxious that it might stage a revolt when it realises how it is about to be consumed, when the prongs of my fork twist its tentacles and proceed to lift it to my central , open anticipating facial orifice. The piece of tomato looks like an organ too, you will agree.

 

You might think, and perhaps not say, except to a close confidant and not to offend, yes, really,  that really isn't nice at all, or how can he put that in his mouth, or suchlike, but really it is delicious. Actually I think I like how you might not like it. It's like, I know something you don`t.

 

 

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, trees, 14 March, 2023

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, trees, 14 March, 2023

watercolour, A3

 

 

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, trees - detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, avenue

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, avenue

 watercolour, A3

 

Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, avenue - detail

First of a series. The light can change a fair amount within an hour.

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Canasvieiras, sea, March 11, 2023

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Canasvieiras, sea, March 11, 2023, watercolour, A3

 

 

 

 

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A pair of shoes on a rug

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A pair of shoes on a rug

 

 

 

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The underside of a matchbox; modest photography

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The underside of a matchbox

 

 

 

 modest photography

 

 

What is modest photography?

Modest photography is an approach to taking and presenting photographs. In modest photography both subject matter and means of depiction are humble and unspectacular.

What is a modest subject?

This is open to discussion and, naturally, has a subjective aspect. What is modest to one will be immodest to another.

 

 But, as a general guide, it's a photographic subject that does not immediately draw attention to itself- this could be because it is undramatic in its form (unsophisticated construction methods and materials, muted colours, small size, commonness, unexciting shape, lack of interactive aspects, low cost). 

 

 It could also be because it is not an item with an important history i.e having no link to a famous person or event, or little or no symbolic value (religious artefact, talisman, monetary unit)

 

It's a subject that does not have obvious and immediate emotive aspects (such as weaponry, medical instruments, associations with criminality, moral or behavioural perversion or lingerie).

 

 It could a place which is passed though daily but rarely really observed, or consciously experienced.

What is the point of modest photography?

The purpose of modest photography is to engage both viewer and maker with the commonplace. Modest photography seeks to encourage appreciation of the everyday  with images that are unadorned, plain speaking.

Does modest photography have a political aspect?

In the sense that all communicative forms attempt to direct the people's attention to specific  ideas, and induce changes in consciousness we can say that modest photography is political. 

By increasing appreciation of the commonplace and the overlooked we likely will reduce interest in the melodramatic, the self important and showy, and gain greater appreciation of what is around us. We can argue that this is political since it eschews the celebrity culture and the cult of obvious wealth that currently belabours the west.

Can anyone do modest photography?

Yes. Modest photography is for everyone. Modest photography can be pursued with a cheap celphone, or a costly Hasselblad.

What are the favoured styles in modest photography?

Modest photography has no dominant voice. It can be in colour,  black and white, square, or oblong.  But obviously, the effect of a modest photography must be commensurate with its message: that is undramatic, humble.

What are the origins of modest photography?

The origins of modest photography are in the still life photography used for product catalogues, in Dutch 17th century painting and its appreciation of the ordinary daily life and the School of Paris photographers such as Kertész or Brassai.

What about titles?

Modest photography encourages the use of explanatory titles and writing. These should, naturally, be in a plain style.

Is modest photography boring?

Probably to some.

  Modest photography proposes that the constant need for sensation apparent in contemporary culture is tedious and demeaning both intellectually and emotionally. Modest photography challenges the idea that what is most  worth of attention is what is noisiest, most expensive or most dramatic.

 Modest photography does not, however, impose itself as mainstream culture imposes itself.

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In my living room

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In my living room, early March, 2023

 

 

 

There's been a change to this corner of the living room: that is, the Croton has appeared on the stool, replacing the Peace lily, which is now on the floor on left.

The Croton plant, in the conical clay vase, has a distinct personality: insistent yet in no way vulgar. 

What's it trying to say?

 It's a new arrival and I'm concerned about its well-being: after I had purchased it, I was siting in the cafe area of the shop and  was approached by another customer who told me about he he had purchased and planted six similar plants in his garden, all of which had been entirely consumed by ants.

 But he then added that if the plant were kept in a vase he thought it would be all right. Did he say that simply to close the conversation pleasantly, or was it something he he really believed? 

I don't know, and I doubt I'll ever find out.

Perhaps the plant wishes to tell us: "I'm still a stranger here, see me! Afford me the care and protection that is my due."

The detective in a Panama hat observes...

 

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, tall trees

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Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, tall trees

watercolour, 29 x 25 cm

Gradually, I narrow the format.

 

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