I always find your thinking both refreshing and fascinating. I love the way you conceptualise the world and your lived experiences as you step forth into life and art. I have never considered the concept of a “punctum” in the context of images before but as a compulsive collector of seemingly random images and objects I think I understand your point. I feel you have analysed the nub of selection. There is a moment in time when an image or experience connects to my inner world too and gets ‘saved’ from my perceived assumption (often incorrect) that it lives a chaotic existence and requires order on my part. Once queued the ‘waiting’ process can be short, long or may never end, but there is satisfaction that it belongs where it should be and its power can be re-ignited anytime. But just as an image or experience can change your direction of travel in art, so can the point which originally pierced your interest. It can fade and be diminished over time, especially if neglected. Anything ‘boxed’ needs to be revisited and checked for relevance, reinterpretation and even life. Without engagement the punctum which originally pierced your interest simply decays.
I like that Frances and you're right. Sometimes when I read through my notes in my sketchbook I can connect instantly with what I was thinking at the time - other times I struggle to make sense of what, at the time, seemed so important! I guess the sifting and pruning is all good. I was talking with a friend last week about how we each hold points of interest in our head - letting them float around and above us, waiting for the spaces in between the points to make sense (or not!). I love that artists are willing to hold those things loosely enough (when we can) to see what emerges. I guess punctums breath and come and go too.
I always find your thinking both refreshing and fascinating. I love the way you conceptualise the world and your lived experiences as you step forth into life and art. I have never considered the concept of a “punctum” in the context of images before but as a compulsive collector of seemingly random images and objects I think I understand your point. I feel you have analysed the nub of selection. There is a moment in time when an image or experience connects to my inner world too and gets ‘saved’ from my perceived assumption (often incorrect) that it lives a chaotic existence and requires order on my part. Once queued the ‘waiting’ process can be short, long or may never end, but there is satisfaction that it belongs where it should be and its power can be re-ignited anytime. But just as an image or experience can change your direction of travel in art, so can the point which originally pierced your interest. It can fade and be diminished over time, especially if neglected. Anything ‘boxed’ needs to be revisited and checked for relevance, reinterpretation and even life. Without engagement the punctum which originally pierced your interest simply decays.
I like that Frances and you're right. Sometimes when I read through my notes in my sketchbook I can connect instantly with what I was thinking at the time - other times I struggle to make sense of what, at the time, seemed so important! I guess the sifting and pruning is all good. I was talking with a friend last week about how we each hold points of interest in our head - letting them float around and above us, waiting for the spaces in between the points to make sense (or not!). I love that artists are willing to hold those things loosely enough (when we can) to see what emerges. I guess punctums breath and come and go too.