C’est Tout by Jan Smith
There is a certain glory in what is constructed being defeated by the forces of time. Void of human habitation, a patina of self-identity emerges from the structures and substitutes the original man-made baptism of name and function. These spaces anthropomorphize when they are empty.
When we enter them, they die. With our presence they become shells for the purpose and habitation of our consciousness, and their essence retreats and surrenders its intangible namelessness. Such structures exist for themselves only when they are abandoned. Without stewards, they achieve this transformation in exchange for mortality and disappearance from our memory.
They live in a realm that shows itself and at the same time withdraws from us. Their acquired consciousness is like a horizon that defines itself by what we see, but also more largely by what remains veiled. The threshold of our arrival in these spaces leaves them balancing between the resurrection of our memory of them, and the renouncing of their own identity. In between these moments what remains is a subtle taste of time because it withdraws just in approaching us.
Gunkanjima, Japan
Its name translates as “Battleship Island” and is the nickname for Hashima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture. It functioned as a Mitsubishi owned under-sea coal mine from 1880 to 1974, and was key in shaping Japan’s industrialization. It holds Japan’s first large concrete housing project. At its peak it was home to over 5,000 workers and their families. At 1,391 persons per hectare it holds the record for highest population density ever recorded. Travel to Gunkanjima is prohibited.
website: www.smithjan.com
Herve: word!
;-)
The problem with an editor or moderator is that they should not participate in discussions. You can’t be the sheeps and the dog guarding the sheeps. A true test of people wanting to do that for BURN, give their time for a good cause, is to sacriffice their voices.
One example, maybe a bad one, but it stuck me: Anton. He does great work, helping David here, but consciously or not, he is never on the discussions.
KAT…
heaven forbid that i would ever (a) douse combustion (b) leave out the women!!!
but, Kat please please let’s not go down a gender division road on BURN…please……i almost NEVER write to Bob…i write mostly to Joe and Jim and that is because they ask provocative questions or set up a dialogue…i wrote to Bob yesterday and today for the first time in weeks i think… and that was to give him work to do!! and i would certainly hope that i write just as much to the women as to the men…maybe i am a tiny bit less effusive with the women here, because , well, i do have the love of my life out there who reads every word and well…
you are one of the very best writers here..i have said that several times i think….and Gracie just cracks me up….go girl!!
cheers, david
Sappho (K.F.): my comment about you and gracie was done of affection, as an example of the ‘elliptical’ nature of comments and was not intented as anything dismissive or judgmental…
Herve :))…i agree…my hope is that, and i’ve talked with DAH about this behind the scenes, that I would generally rather help burn through editing/getting photogs (a lot of which i’ve done already, although people dont know, by getting people to submit, or getting essays here, like Mustafah’s)…and i will NOT write comments on anything i help to get here…in fact, i’d rather do that than comment, truth be told…
no more about the trinity…
running
JOE…
for some reason, i always thought you were without humor…but, you just made me laugh out loud….
you are in…many many thanks…the beer in London in on me….
HERVE…
i always knew you had a sense of humor….but, do not laugh…i am putting you to work too…
but, honestly , how can you criticize a man for writing about and loving his family??? there are many “wrongs” on this planet, but surely that cannot be one of them…..
cheers, david
DAH
no, no, i just used you and Bob because i was talking to Bob..it could be Bob and,um, well, eeks..i don’t know, Bob and whoever Bob happens to backslap. But it could be any of the guys here who are friends. I just objected to the use of “love fest” to describe a girlie way of backslapping. ‘s all.
It is a daunting atmosphere for new writing contributors here sometimes. Everyone here is highly competent and often comes with an extensive resume. It’s been a wonderful challenge to make contributions that are even minutely worthy of someone else’s precious time to read. (re: Herve above..oh well!) I don’t ask for any favors or recognition or indulgence. i will carve out my niche or not on my own. And i hope that my gender has nothing to do with how well i do or how badly i might fail. Thanks for your compliment, it means the world to me. I was not being critical of you at all. nonononono..just making a general observation that many worry about how new photographers feel about submitting work here while those same people can make it difficult for a new writer to establish him/herself. I have been elbowed by some veterans and encouraged by others. That’s as it should be. But really, coming here and writing any comments at all is not something undertaken frivolously.
Yeah, Gracie is very warm and giving..she contributes a lot here and does it in her quiet charming and oh so tongue-in-cheek way.
Oh and i am going to use Kathie from now on because Katherina is Kat, as well she should be :)))))))
byeall4now
kathie
Kathleen:
just a quick re-read of your comment. well, i this is indeed the problem with comments. My mentioning of you was done as a ‘loving’ tribute to the ‘high fives’ u and gracie give one another and was in no way disparaging….
i should, i imagine, redact the unparagraphed long comment: for a person that so often personalizes commentary here, i am surprised (or not) at your reading. ok,
David/Herve/Joe:
ok, i invoke the family council, and a promise i made on sunday: no more comments. 1 comment per pic/essay. let my work be in the editing. i am very tired of being criticized….and yea, i have humour:
but, i am as tired of this as
the readers are tired of me.
david: let us talk when u return from madrid.
until then:
burn needs a new photograph already! ;)
as of now, i resign from commenting about the trinity or from commenting directly, except when i ‘write’ a note for work.
that shall be my contribution.
have fun
running
b
I don’t. David. Thought that was the point of my saying this?!?!?
Hunour is making fun of, 90% of the time. I hope I get the chuckle from Bob that I would get in Toronto, over a good bottle of wine, Marina and Dima present, saying just that.
AKAKY: That’s a terrible thing to say.
AKAKY IRL: I didn’t say anything.
AKAKY: I didn’t mean you.
AKAKY IRL: I’m the only one here, except for you and Travis Bickle.
AKAKY: Mr. Harvey said something I disagree with, that’s all.
AKAKY IRL: I know I shouldn’t ask this, but what did he say that’s got you so riled up?
AKAKY: He said that I refuse to meet with him.
AKAKY IRL: That is terrible. He shouldn’t say things like that. It’s patently untrue, first of all. I know you would love to meet with him.
AKAKY: Wow.
AKAKY IRL: What? It’s the truth, isn’t it?
AKAKY: Yeah, I know, it’s just that I didn’t expect you to agree with me. It’s not you, if you catch my drift.
AKAKY IRL: Well, when you’re right, you’re right.
AKAKY: So when he gets back to the States we can go down for a visit?
AKAKY IRL: No.
AKAKY: Why not?
AKAKY IRL: Because I don’t want to.
AKAKY: Jesus, not again. Look, can you give me one really good reason why you don’t ever want to go anywhere?
AKAKY IRL: Sure I can. You’re a disappointment.
AKAKY: What? What the hell are you talking about?
AKAKY IRL: All of those people have some idea of who Akaky is and what he looks like, none of which has any relationahip to reality. They’re all going to expect someone bright and witty and thin, whereas you don’t qualify on any of those counts. No one cares to spend time with someone as introverted and inarticulate as you are. As wet blankets go, you’re positively soaking.
AKAKY: I lost ten pounds.
AKAKY IRL: Look, guy, you lose ten pounds every time you take a dump. That doesnt count, you know.
AKAKY: Maybe someday we could. I could just stay in the back and watch the others.
AKAKY IRL: What others?
AKAKY: How the hell do I know? Whoever else is there, I dont know. I’m just tired of you always insisting I stay in the same place. It gets old, you know.
AKAKY IRL: Hey, guy, I’m just doing my job here. Nothing personal.
AKAKY: Oh, screw off.
“…Patricia Lay-Dorsey
March 24, 2009 at 9:10 am
Sorry to be part of hijacking Jan’s thread for this discussion but don’t know where else to go. I’m afraid “times and timing” and “welcome to burn” have become the primary platform for one person’s originally-funny-but-now-tedious Greek play. So I’ll simply say what I need to say here…”
Pat, its funny you eventually admit that u r a hijacker ( whats new! ),
I also always knew you are a little meannie… but jealous ???
jealous from other bloggers? calling them names?
calling them TEDIOUS?… because they dare to be funny and not “serious” as*kissers like you?
please keep on lurking , keep on reading only DAH’s comments ( you do have this option )
and keep the advice for your grand children…Enough with your jealousy and negativity!
big hug
“..david alan harvey
March 24, 2009 at 8:10 am
BOB….ALL
as per our e-mail discussion, i really want you Bob to be the Editor of guest writing/editing for the essays…you can pick and choose your team….some of Jim’s fears that i will Burnout with overload have some merit…shifting a bit of the work load to others who are so inclined to participate would not only relieve me a bit, but would simultaneously add to what we can do here….”
Amen!
please pretty please
BOB…ALL
i would add Marcin to the list if he will accept…as a Euro talent scout….and it would be really nice to have an Asian talent go getter too…any ideas??
yes, Jim is a sleeper…we think he is this disgruntled conservative small town Texas newspaperman…which he is…BUT, he is here everyday…he has forced more of us to write than almost anyone here…..must be a reason…an interesting one…my early career was full of Jims…i always went against them photographically, but liked them personally….i like Jim….i can’t wait to meet him…..Jim is the number one editor at his newspaper…the Jims that i knew would absolutely never have been on a BURN….so, Jim just might surprise us…..
i do hope that EVERYONE realizes that i am more than open to ideas of all kinds from all of you….yes, i do have a vision and somebody has to be the final decider….but, there has never been any editor anywhere at any time who was any good at all who did not at least listen listen listen….if i disagree with you , it does not mean that i did not listen..to the contrary….and i could take one of your ideas and not the other….
now, also let’s all just get real…bottom line….are we having fun or not??? we all know the answer..
cheers, peace, et al ..david
Bob,
Mailing address?
“….dima’s dad
March 24, 2009 at 9:14 am
David:
sorry, im still having trouble with this Spam stuff….and each time i post something new, it gets filtered….i guess i’ll have to use Anton’s signon…anyway
yes, of course, i will do this for you :)))…and i dont need a salary as you know :))…when u get back, let’s figure out a way to make this happen…i think a list to include would also be Tom, Chris, Joe, David B, Erica, Akaky, Patricia, HERVE(!!!), Sidney…”
(bob, i agree with your suggestion on the above panel..but hold on that Herve guy … for now..
:)))))))
…. and thank god , Patricia already admitted that she stopped reading comments…
so ,she is simply excluding her self… which is fair enough…..
big hug
y’all!!!!!
vote for MARCIN…
Marcin is a philosopher..
Marcin tells the “truth”… his “truth” at least..
Marcin has some serious balls…
yes for Marcin!!!!!
( u made my day )
:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
… my nightmares are full of Jims….
( laughing )…
good morning Texaaaaaaaaas!
Bob. Criticized? yes, no one is perfect, and that’s the ransom of being omnipresent anywhere, not just here (think Obama). You editing will probably be criticized. No escaping.
I am surprised sometimes by what you write. since RT, you are actually constantly thanked for your imnsights, your essay raved about. People I correspond with privately think the world of you. There is absolutely no comparison between the criticism and the praising coming your way. If it was rugby, it would ALL BLACKS vs… CANADA (or CALIFORNIA).
I maintain that sitting with the B. family in Toronto, I ‘d get laughs out of you guys, teasing you on your RT/BURN style. Then find a hotel to spend the night!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
it is why patricia has stopped.. i think it´s going to be easy enough to remedy.. perhaps a general natter room..
i´d really like to see the forums more focused on the work and not the surrounding stuff.. that´s what i come here for and if there is a way of being inclusive and giving space for topics of discussion, including shooting the proverbial, it could benefit everyone.
it could be a simple case of changing to a more comon forum format and leaving david to fill out the dialogue entries as he does.. so.. within a forum room there could be topics along the lines of the latest photo story right through to my feet smell should i wash them?
then it is just a case of people respecting the different rooms , or shifting an out of place comment into the correct room.
i am weary of moderators because it brings an element of control.. it could work although it could also be resented.. i would much rather the posters practiced self control and respected the different topics..
… and also YES for DAVID BOWEN
and yes for JOE….
( we dont usually agree, but that is a GOOD thing … )
… one thing…
Herve does have sense of humor…
we did talk couple times on the phone – in the middle of the night -…
he totally made me laugh….
how can i forget that?
i mean to say that dialogue on the right stays as it is – davids posts.. and a separate forum could exist alongside it for chatter about the current story / photo / length of my hair.
“….i am weary of moderators because it brings an element of control.. ”
David B… I totally agree…
Moderators belong to Flickr… not here…
( no need for sophisticated “doctors” here )
i think the only moderation role which might be good is to move comments if one is posted in the wrong room..
a separate forum.. with a box of it´s own similar to dialogue.. where chats about the current work on view would leave the front page photographers work good and clean for viewers, davids posts much more focused on what he is asking / instigating and it would also bring a more community element where new photographers could ask questions.. start topics about anything.. or just chat ..
the thought is that bringing in non photographers, which all here agree is a worthy cause, will bring a more diverse set of conversations which a more traditional forum, could easily accommodate..
there are some thoughts.. i´m off to cook dinner..
any thoughts back?
d
DAH…who IS this guy AKAKY ?? i mean really
DAH IRL…well, i always thought from the beginning that he was a fired New Yorker writer
DAH….why would he be a fired writer? he is pretty damned good
DAH IRL…well, yes , he writes well, but he never leaves home…can’t “get the story” if you don’t go out of the house..
DAH…yea, good point…
DAH IRL..what good point?? whose pointing??
DAH….i do not think you understand what i am trying to say
DAH IRL…well, yes, that is your problem..you misinterpret everyone…
DAH…well, i am a misunderstood man…
DAH IRL….what about all the misunderstood women??
DAH…i love misunderstood women…
DAH IRL…well, this is no place to go down that road now is it??
DAH….too late now
DAH IRL…what does this hijacking of the thread of our chat have to do with AKAKY??
DAH….well, i invited him to my home a couple of times and he never came…
DAH IRL….maybe he is shy
DAH…maybe he is sly
DAH IRL….i think you are paranoid…
DAH…now, are sounding like my misunderstood girlfriend…
DAH IRL…well, she told me she loves AKAKY
DAH…like i said, maybe he is sly
DAH IRL…i think you had better get some rest…
DAH…yes, i will do more research on AKAKY when i get back to New York
DAH IRL..New York is waiting for you..
DAH..yea, i know…
DAH IRL.. man, you have a problem
DAH…that is what everyone says…
DAH IRL..ok, that does it…i am outta here, i need a BURN break…
DAH.. who doesn’t ???
DAH IRL…AKAKY, that’s who…
Bob..
oh, phew! i am sooo senstive these days because of recent stuff here..so glad Gracie and i are not pissing people off. I think she´s a treasure, sometimes her observations are so delicately worded they can be missed but i found out that if i read closely she packs a wallop of wisdom and subtle irony as well as light as mint iced tea humor. What a cool dose of joy she brings here at night. THANKS and sorry if i thought you were just another complainer.
And also, Bob, i read almost EVERY word you write. I can´t say i understand all of your references but you give me something to strive for. You make ME a better thinker just soaking up your thoughts. Please do not censor yourself or limit your contributions. Screw Herve if he doesen´t want to read your monologues. He doesn´t speak for everyone here, just him. For him the soul of wit may be brief. I could just see him sitting down with ¨War and Peace¨, heh. But for others who relish language and expression not everything worthy comes in limited sound bites. And if you don´t pause to hit enter and the thoughts flow down like a storm fed waterfall, then we can self-indent. s´all :))
best to you
kathie
darn, darn..didn´t realize Sappho was still in the name box at my work computer.
Akaky…LMAO!!!
kat
DAH
LMAO, again!! You guys are hilarious hijackers!
sorry, sorry Jan…really..but it´s irresistable!
Hurry David B, get us a ¨coffee and cigarettes¨ forum so we can stop messing up people´s essay and photo threads.
kathie
Screw Herve
—————
Now, that would be nice! :-))))
david bowen
March 24, 2009 at 11:59 am
i think the only moderation role which might be good is to move comments if one is posted in the wrong room..
David B..
super well said…
thank you…
( some people here { like Patricia } got so used to attention, are so in love with their perfect voices,
that they do not accept newcomers anymore…she cant post anywhere anymore without “hijacking”… she is too good to read comments now…she is ready to “moderate” now…
Damn Pat!, how would you like if i would start complaining like you?
“Space Cowboy” is TEDIOUS?
“Mass Civilian” is TDIOUS? really?
… and who the hell are you?
the “new order”…….so you propose to create a tread here in BURN called the:
“BURN AUSWITZ” and send the newcomers ( and me ofcourse ) over to that camp?
So you can write your precious, angelic,paulaAbdullish critiques…???
Pat… i know you wish for that “edit button” by now.. dont you?
( oh.. i forgot … you dont read comments anymore unless its signed by DAH…:(((((((( ….)
Herve
what are all you guys inhaling the same drug today? I am just cracking up here and it´s all GOOD stuff! Herve, that WAS funny!
k-
Panos:
Civilian is WONDERFUL! i discovered him at a pretty low point in my time here at Burn and well, what can i say? That man…crap, i am out of words..well, he´s a breath of fresh air..he and Gracie both. I don´t know Space Cowboy but i wish i did.
kat
Kathleen…
me too… that “civilian” guy is a tension release…
He is an oasis here… same with Gracie..
they barely talk about photography, they dont do critiques…
Unlike me or Patricia they are not seeking recognition or trying to sell….
We need those voices more than we need mine or Pat’s…
( Dont worry, hopefully Pat wont scare them away… Pat woke up feeling a little
“hitlerish” today… thats all… she’ll get over it..
:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Panos..
re, Civilian and Gracie, exactly! They´re an oasis in a desert of sand and camels and Arabs..or is that Jews..no Arabs..no, Reservists….well, they´re an oasis, period.
sometimes Gracie does talk about a photo and she´s worth reading..you weren´t here recently but she is opening up about her thoughts and observations and they are great! i want to take this opportunity to encourage her to do more..i think she is an untapped well of fresh insight.
As far as Patricia..she´s a tough person to know. She´s deep, passionately committed to her work and has strong opinions. Much like the rest of us. I do tend to hold my breath when she´s around however..i check my buttons and zippers, make sure i´m not falling out of my top or my butt crack isn´t peeking out of my jeans cuz for sure she´ll catch it. i really like her, i just worry about offending her.
good to see you back ´round, Panos
kathie
PANOS:
For all the ranting, you just lost. Joking aside, a new low for Burn, and mean.
Kathie,
I wasnt writing…
but i was reading each and every word of hers( Gracie )…
same with Civilian..
… and last thing about Pat… i said it million times before…
doesnt matter how she resents me
and no matter how much she denies it… shed is just like me…
the other side of the same COIN…
self absorbed,
attention seeker,
strongly opinionated,
fascist at times,
self promoter…
JUST LIKE ME…. just like me…ok? ( at least i admit it..:)
… but i’m the one that has to go to her designated “ovens”….
and that is SAD….
( … know yourself that socrates guy once said…. know yourself…)
Better with the correct link. Google this:
Godwin’s Rule of Nazi Analogies
Goodwin’s Law
March 24, 2009 at 12:55 pm
ohhhhh, ohhh… another Troll/UFO… with no name..
( although we all know who is behind it…:))))))
btw… its GODWIN… NOT GOODWIN…little uneducated troll…
:)))
(..and please dont forget your medication…ok? big hug )
Well, definitely, just as I wrote in my 1st post, the essay may be titled C’ EST TOUT, but anything after, definitely:
C’ EST BEAUCOUP!
:-)
Herve…
:)))))
Hey, just got your voicemail….
Im up in the mountain… no reception ( sporadic , actually )…
but i will call you as soon as i go to the store near by…
Im looking for a new home in LA… so im happily busy…
but i will call you in a while….
missed your voice malaka….
loved your voicemail….
( at least you do have a great sense of humor … thanks, you brightened my day…!!!!
big hug )
Panos above…
Thread Hi-jack in its purest form. Totally without merit, IMO really high up there with: “do not forget to get milk on your way home!”. ;-)
Herve…
there is no word as “hijack” in my vocabulary….
I want people to express themselves freely… no matter if its in the “venice thread”..
or whatever they like… no rules..
( although i still agree with davidB…above …blah… etc…)
HERVE! :)))))))))))
JOKING JOKING JOKING AMIGO ;)))))))))))))…ok, see even when i joke (like then) or when i was trying to make loving of Kat/Gracie’s friendship and support of one another (ok, no more lovefest diction with ladies, y’all ;) ), i gets misinterpreted ;)))))…..i TOTALLY love when people tease me about my long-winded, eliptical, non=paragraphing, endless, silly posts ;)))))…believe me, Im a characature of the real BB (burn bb is sort of like akaky irl, but only david and Panos are allowed to steal from others jokes ;))))))) )…..no worries amigo…what i meant is just that: i think, after all this time, my writing would better serve David and Burn as organized thoughts, the way i write my essays/poems for real life and publication, rather than extemporizing here…but, believe me, i totally loved what you wrote :)))…no worries…
ok, gotta split…got a Writing assignment to do for Burn…
running
b
If even Panos doen’t know when “I joking” (as the thais say)…. :-(((
my contributions from this day forward (as i promised my…..oh, i cannot talk/write about the trinity ;) ) for Burn will be:
1) help editing/getting work (as i’ve been doing already, but now in a more official capacity)
2) writing text for pictures/essays that David wishes (or other editors) wish me to
3) providing my own work (photography) when needed…
ok, that’s it for my comments :))))…
enjoy y’all
running
b
Sidney:
bluewordsme2@gmail.com
can’t wait to see it :)))
hugs
b
p.s. JAN, sorry for all the diversion: I THINK THE PIC IS WONDERFUL (see my 1st comment today :) )…
Slight tangent to try and rectify some of my thoughts.
We’ve had a few essays so far on burn which have been decried as exploitative so far.
I don’t feel that this essay crosses that thin line, but just curious to hear some of the more prolific commenters here view on where that line lies.
To me this essay feels sincerely compassionate and I love the photos themselves, but at what point does photographing extreme poverty cross over?
Is it in the approach?
Is it in the feeling the essay delivers to the majority of viewers?
or simply the subject matter?
Any thoughts would be appreciated, trying to jumpstart my brain this morning…
Wrong place, brain not working….
Or was I subconsciously trying to get under Jan’s skin? :)
kAT :))…no worries….i love the contributions you’ve made (even when i dont always agree) and i think Grace is very nice and yes, funny too…an d i dig her poetic ramblings (what else could move me if not another poet/photographer)…so, sorry for the confusion…i really enjoyed your lov….um…FRIENDSHIP AND JOY :)))
running
b
JARED! :))))))))))))))))))))))))))
brilliant…………..and hilarious!…
now, running, brain on empty…
b