Textures are made up of an infinite number of lines, often crosshatched, or very fine dots. All of these things, and they’re so … wonderfully expressive of a community, of a lot of communal things. There is so much going on and no one individual or no one thing really stands out in a texture. ~ Freeman Patterson
In the Photo By Design workshop, we explore the world of textures and patterns.
In this wonderful interview with Freeman Patterson (my mentor for seeing), he speaks of textures as symbols of communities and relationships.
I too often photograph textures. After moving to Niagara-on-the-Lake, I found myself photographing the blossoms at my feet, which created textural abstracts.
In my photography workshops, I find that communities easily form and I have been thinking of ways that the people in those communities can stay connected more easily. After reflecting on some of my images of the textural blossoms, I came up with the following thoughts about communities.
* There needs to be a solid foundation or common mission.
* While all of the blossoms (community members) look similar, each one is unique and should be treated with care.
* There needs to be a safe container or frame within which members can interact.
* Members should be able to be real and not have to live up to a certain ideal. They should be accepted where they are.
* There should be common areas of interest (topics) and different levels of involvement.
* There should be connections between those areas of interest, as well as a clear and coherent big picture.
* There should be an atmosphere of learning from each other; that everyone has something to contribute, even those staying at the edge.
What did I miss?
I love communities that respect both the common goals and the differences in the group, just as you describe here. We need to feel like we are in it together, but also that we can be individuals and don’t have to take on a certain identity in order to be accepted.
On the other hand, communities that exclude and create favoured minorities leave me alienated.
I’m learning to seek out the former and spend less time in the latter. (Needless to say, Kim, your own communities always fall in the first camp.)
Definitely something to strive for. I wonder in the lifecycle of a community how to prevent the latter.
I always marvel at the synchronicity of life. Here on Monhegan Island this week I was re-introduced to Freeman Patterson and here he is on your blog post! I was just preparing a post about him when I read yours! Love the idea of texture as community…
He’s come up a couple of times this week for me too, Patricia. I’ll be interested in reading how he came up for you.
As a participant in the current Photo by Design, I have to say that you’ve done a spectacular job of creating a safe community where members are valued and accepted for wherever they are at, as well as designing topics to bring the community together. Not an easy job and I’m sure you’ve put a lot of work into making that happen. Your efforts are making a real difference.
Thanks so much, Donna. It’s nice to hear that!
Interesting posting, Kim! Communities, that’s quite an vast question. I do like communities that interact, which pull together and where there is respect but also warmth. Some people are shy and others are out-going. We humans create a patchwork of different textures, shapes and colours – this is the beauty of connection and what I like the best about them!
Journeying with others can be a very enlightening and rewarding experience, especially when we let go of any expectations and go with the way things are and not want them to be any other way!