The Myth of Sisyphus...( please see large.)

Another  scene from Limelights/

 

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=14520493

Thanks for viewing

 

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CivDfBifsCY

and see the two links... Thanks

Fantastic!!

Pnina:

I wasn't quite sure about the visible blur in the image at first, but decided ultimately that it somehow conveys 'ineffectiveness' and fits the sense of futility, which is what the Myth of Sisyphus is about after all... The additional space on the LHS is essential, imo, and I actually wonder if this shouldn't even be a tad more...?

Although it does not fit thematically with the myth, there is something that is almost clown-like and comical in the form of the man tilting from the weight, with leg splayed out at an awkward angle. I think the fact that the globe so resembles a beach ball, contributes to this (as opposed, say, to a huge piece of granite. The dark background does dispel some of the comedic impression. I do think that if somehow the lighting could cast a long and harsh shadow that it would be better. But that is not something you likely can control.

Thanks both of you, each of you was right in  his impression. If you have read the preface, it was the choregrapher's thoughts about Charlie Chaplin's creation of the "Stage Lights",so you were right Dave that it is more a clown like composition than the sisyphus myth , but  trying a 1/8 of a second and seeing the bit of the blurry result ,somehow it was connected in my mind with that myth.... So I looked in the internet to see if I can find something about it, and found it in" youtube" ... So  Marjolein, your hesitation at your first look was right, but being familiar with  the myth  your second look was closer to mine....and I wanted to see how viewers will react to it. So  both of your assesment was my  pleasure!;-))

Marjolein I played with the LHS  space, but maby a bit more is a good possibility as well.

I see the clown aspect as well, Chelm"ish" or Hebraic "eesh", and the Chaplin aspects.  His stance and attempt to balance the ball is funny -- one hand, balancing with leg in air!  Like that film cut when he played Hitler playing with the world -- another dimension of reality.  Feels deeply theatrical -- black/grey, bits of light -- extremes and contrasts -- not distracted by facial/individualization, and diagonals of the floor, giving the appearance of unsteady surface.  Again, another references, perhaps to his film when he played an immigrant on a rocky ship.  When I was quite young -- like 7 years old -- I remember seeing a bit of his film when he was so hungry he ate his own boot.  Never forgot it.  A haunting genius.  I love the light reflecting on the clothes and body form and that bit of blur on the unsteady foot in the air.  Beautiful

Very good Pnina!!

Take care,

Mário

 Donna, glad to see you again at my work, I liked as well your nice impression. it has something from"chelm" (I did not think of it before but it is a good ides as his stance fits the "chelmish"funny behavior). it is as well very Cahplin...I'm glad you liked the blarry result!

Mario, thanks as well!

Pnina, I thought of Chaplin's "Little Tramp" at first glance. I see the movement of a happy little character cheerfully carrying the world on his shoulder. I see how that connects with the philosophy of the absurb. I also like the image on it's own. Very nice.

Best wishes,

Linda

Motion blur is always a delicate proposition. Here it seems to be part of the calculation and in my mind very succesfully used in this picture. The dancer leans to his left to balance the weight of the ball and this action is countered by the uplifted leg.. The performer must continue his motion or suffer total collapse; there's no moment of rest here. It's obviously a precarious position that could not be sustained for more than a moment or two, so the slight blur adds a kinetic element to the picture and fits the subject more than a precisely focused, sharply sculptural approach. Like you, I see more Chaplin than Sisyphus here. Marjolein with her exquisite sense of composition makes an astute observation about extending the left hand side of the frame.

Pnina, recently i also took a few of this kind of stage shots with movement like this one. Actually i learn from observing your skills. Do let me know what you think about it when i post them soon. I love the composition here.

Did anyone mention that the image looks tilted a bit and that helps sustain the sense of instability immensely?

Linda, thanks for your nice impressions, Yes there is something of the absurd theater as Chaplin's work was as well...;-))

  Jack,  as usual you are so eloquently express your impressions Yes it is chaplin more than Sisyfus ,and still it is somehow was connected in my imagination,and yes Marjolein suggesion has merite!

 Spencer,I'm glad to be of help, but don't rush.... I follow your work .

Bulent, thanks, I think it is part of the scene....

The weight of our burdens might seem comical to the observer, but they usually feel quite serious to the person bearing them.  One important aspect of therapy is to step outside of oneself and begin laughing.

Thanks for a very nice observation.Thats why the myth of sisyphus made the connection to Charlie Chaplin for me...

Fantastic photograph, Pnina! The motion blur is very effective, gives a nice dynamics to the scene. The work with light is stunning.

Pnina, in his book "The Myth of Sisyphus", Albert Camus wrote, "The struggle itself...is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." With motion blur, you have blended tragedy of Sisyphus with comedy of Chaplin.