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One of the things that makes this series of photographs especially challenging is that it's hard to shoot the subjects without being seen by the vendors. When I shoot a tour bus, for instance, it's fairly easy to do so without being seen by the driver, although there have been some amusing and embarrassing exceptions.
This morning, after shooting the above, the vendor came RUNNING after me. "What were you doing?" he asked, obviously agitated. "Oh, I was just photographing the painting on the side of your cart," I replied. "WHY?" he practically shouted. "I think it's beautiful," I shrugged. And the look! The look he gave me! He clearly didn't believe me (some of you may not either), and scowled relentlessly at me as I traipsed away, thrilled at my latest conquest.
It was like I was Osama bin Peteykins or something.
8 comments:
If I had that cart, and someone told me it was beautiful, I think I would paint it as soon as possible. No offense, it's just the way I'm built.
I totally love these pictures. It's not about what's good or bad art (though admittedly it's mostly not good) but about what is. And how it doesn't give a fiddler's fart for what anyone else thinks, because our opinion is irrelevant to people wanting instant nourishment. Aren't we all indulging in nostalgia - if not "nostalgie de la boue", then at least "nostalgie de la boulevard"?
I get the sense that many of these paintings were done by the same artist. Note, for example, the unrealistic slice of the left side of the bun. I've seen this feature several times now. It's as if the actual compund curvature of bun meeting frank was too difficult to render, so screw it, they just went with a straight line.
Jonathan Hale ("The Old Way of Seeing") got the same treatment when he photographed suburban cookie-cutter houses. The owners knew, somehow, that nobody would ever want to take in their, uh, "beauty."
Hahah "Osama bin Peteykins." That would be one gliterry fatwah.
Well! I've often seen a cat without a grin," thought Alice; "but a grin without a cat! It's the most curious thing I ever saw in all my life!"
"Hot dog in a basket"
Good thing you weren't back in Arizona. You'd probably been shot!
Tee-hee. DaveDave said "curvature of bun meeting frank"!
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