An attempt at formal analysis which all cynics should avoid!
Again, another photograph documenting the landscape as something man-altered, something real, and something my senses have totally woken up to, wholeheartedly.
Btw, the sign reads - 'NEW REFUGE ISLANDS AHEAD'.
First I had to determine what
"refuge Islands" might refer to here. No they're not wild life sanctuaries. Rather they are especially designed safety zones in the center of a road where there are opposite flows of traffic. We do not have exactly similar structures here, at least in Los Angeles. Although in some, (albeit rare), wide boulevards there may be place for flowers or a Metro train stop and perhaps sculptures and then even a path for pedestrians.
Lepton, W. Yorkshire '16 - Paul Abbott
Well, Paul,
This is a surprising picture, strongly constructed with composition being a leading parameter in the design. Initially, I merely describe forms, not the actual identities or meaning of it all.
The strongest features you have endowed the image are lines leading the eyes to the right and out of the tall border of this vertical landscape scene. Balancing and fixing this strong lateral movement are the repeated verticals of the supporting poles for the cables.
Not only are we missing the destination of the converging lines to the
right, but we are reflexly also drawn, intermittently to the l
eft to the the brightest light in he sky! This creates a palpable tension in which way the eye must travel, forward, (in time), to the right or backwards to the left.
When we are given such strong opposing lateral forces, we are perhaps being asked, (but subtly,) to consider something: here, to weigh in our minds the
values or
consequences of what the scene might represent.
Now we get to the subject matter. At this point, I have to rely on my own resources as there is no explanation guide as to "meaning". I can merely describe what is shown and how these elements evoke meaning and significance to me. It is only a truth, not the truth, as each of us will have a different library of references,.
Well, here goes with my personal "take":
There are bold spaces marked in the lower part of the image. These are parking spaces which anchor the picture, allowing it to move nether ro the left or right. So we have in one vertical landscape scene, the light to the left, the past, the squares m,marking the only places one can park one's vehicle and the movement of the cables to the left, the future.
So to me, at least, the image might represent our own lives, in which time moves on and we are limited by some dystopian set of rules, as to where we are allowed to "be". Then, when we add the disclosure that ahead, there are "Islands of Refuge" for the pedestrian, we are given some hope. We are assured that if we abandon the apparent privileges and security of a valued "parking space", there is opportunity ahead and some safety in secure safety zones if we resolutely continue our independent journeys on foot.
This is just my personal reaction to your formidable image.
Thanks for the pictorial and intellectual challenge.
Asher
.........but how come it want framed horizontally?
