lila schaffler – my collections | burn magazine
It seems have been taking my camera on walks since the age of twelve. I have collected more images than I could even begin to put a number on. I wanted to show some of my collections in a way that made sense to how and what I see. There was nothing easy about the edit, and still I can’t be certain that I chose the right ones…But I suppose that’s part of the beauty of it all, when you really stop an look. Some of the images have been exhibited, some published, but I’ve never quite had the opportunity to show them as I’ve wanted to, as an essay…A collection of sorts. My collections.
Also, a way of seeing doesn’t require a narrative structure. Collections are meant to be conglomerations, and it’s up to the collector to decide a rhythm, a tone, or a melody. Collections leave the spectator with work to do, and they open portals to other paths walked, experienced, and captured. One image edited to fit another is fine, but why can’t randomness be part of seeing? Why does seeing have to make sense all the time? Scattered imagery and undefined narratives – mismatched pictures upon a single light box – show’s what was seen out of context of time and space. I do not think a context needs to be applied by the photographer at all costs in order to make the aesthetic of each shot more conceivable. I think it’s enough to see a rhythm in sight, perspective, lighting techniques, or style. So I like this idea of collections. Nice job, Lila. No need to qualify.
Susan, very beautifully put…And extremely well said. Seeing does not always have to make ‘sense’ to the viewer. It should have the random freedom and constant access to stir the emotions in any way the viewer allows to be stirred…or doesn’t allow. That’s part of the beauty of visual pieces, whether being the viewer or creator…The emotion intended will ‘hit home’ differently for each individual.
True, but you are still leading the viewer through your inevitable role as photographer. Where you print and display your image is where your power of mitigating the responses of your audience ceases. Still, I do think that in your photography, you’ve created a consistent way of seeing that you share with your audience. The subject matter might be random, but there is intended perspective inherent in each shot. How your audience takes it is of course subjective – but it’s because of the new view that you’ve provided that that subjectivity can exist.