Another Way of Seeing
Faded Beauty ( It is a matter of perspective ) or Faded Beauty ?
Is it really faded beauty ? The rose, most often depicted in it's "beautiful state"; a newly opened bud, a blossom and it's peak of color, fullness, and freshness. Is this really it's most beautiful stage ? Perhaps, or perhaps it is just our common and ordinary vision. Our ability to quickly see what's on the surface, to see the "norm", to miss the meaning behind the moment. Are we seeing only the foreground or do we see the complete picture ? When this series began I first noticed three roses together; one bun, one "common" beautiful blossom and one decaying blossom; still with some of that vibrant life, but with torn edges, ragged edges and wilting leaves. It struck me as a glimpse at the so-called circle of life. But wait, the decaying blossom was perhaps the most interesting of all, there was more to this than just shear beauty. There was a story of this one, a life lived, an image of intrigue, insight, depth, variety. All displayed in that one decaying rose. Maybe this is the most beautiful of the three ? Just maybe ? So I began to seek out other roses that where not in the "common" picture ready moments of life. As I continue to seek out and look deeper into them I was reminded of something I had known, but not expressed in words, something a dear friend had expressed words that in essence said; "from the moment we are born we are one step closer to death". How true and yet how often overlooked. These images where just as beautiful in their stage of life as the bud and full bloom. They where perhaps closer to death and yet had more history and life in their present moment. - Larry Cohn 2013
Read MoreIs it really faded beauty ? The rose, most often depicted in it's "beautiful state"; a newly opened bud, a blossom and it's peak of color, fullness, and freshness. Is this really it's most beautiful stage ? Perhaps, or perhaps it is just our common and ordinary vision. Our ability to quickly see what's on the surface, to see the "norm", to miss the meaning behind the moment. Are we seeing only the foreground or do we see the complete picture ? When this series began I first noticed three roses together; one bun, one "common" beautiful blossom and one decaying blossom; still with some of that vibrant life, but with torn edges, ragged edges and wilting leaves. It struck me as a glimpse at the so-called circle of life. But wait, the decaying blossom was perhaps the most interesting of all, there was more to this than just shear beauty. There was a story of this one, a life lived, an image of intrigue, insight, depth, variety. All displayed in that one decaying rose. Maybe this is the most beautiful of the three ? Just maybe ? So I began to seek out other roses that where not in the "common" picture ready moments of life. As I continue to seek out and look deeper into them I was reminded of something I had known, but not expressed in words, something a dear friend had expressed words that in essence said; "from the moment we are born we are one step closer to death". How true and yet how often overlooked. These images where just as beautiful in their stage of life as the bud and full bloom. They where perhaps closer to death and yet had more history and life in their present moment. - Larry Cohn 2013
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