The image appears to be of multiple Japanese gates. Torii, I think? They are often found at the entrances to shrines and temples. Red may have different symbolism in Japan, but to me, it is a powerful, compelling color. The repetition of the gates in the composition increases the strength of the torii as a symbol. Also the fact that they line a path, whose end can't be seen, represents the difficulty about the way to Enlightenment or the afterlife.
Nice spot in the curve of these gates for a photo.
The original photographer wanted to capture an 'exotic' image (whether exotic due to the viewer's lack of familiarity with the culture, or due to the viewer's connection of these gates to a mystique spirituality or both) of this sort of secret scene which one only gets to experience if they have actually walked down this pathway. The angles of the gates cut off the viewer's gaze from the outside world, and don't allow you to see the inside unless you enter it. Yet, the gates are still outside and do not bring one away from the surroundings they were in, as though it is a non-existant room, an illusion of changing space.
Once on has passed through the gates, the illusion of changing space completes; I believe the photographer wanted to capture this feeling of transition in its potential form, before what is on the otherwise of the gates can be seen.
The vivid red color of these gates is the most arresting aspect of this photograph. I commented earlier on the color red being symbolic of passion, and I think this holds true here as well. The black-on-red is what makes this a very striking, hard-hitting image; almost nothing else seems to stand out, save for the almost lonely-looking lantern hanging off to the right.
I get a somewhat surreal, dream-like sensation from this. Since the angle doesn't let us see the end of the passageway, I think of a never-ending tunnel, or something to that effect.
This picture has for signified the representation of Japanese gates succeeding to each other. They all create a path leading to a mysterious place. We can only use our imagination about this place and surely have high expectations about it. The atmosphere and the succession of the gates insist on the different stages we have to pass through in order to access to the end of the path, to this enlightened space that we can only guess in the background. I like the fact the light is suggesting a different place, a possible ending. This can have a strong mythical representation: I think this path to the light is a reference in every religion and maybe creates a kind of syncretism between lots of believers.
Esthetically, I really like the reflections of the lights going through different places is reminding us of the outside world and maybe the different stops we have to make to access to the full ”enlightenment”. Moreover the way picture was taken, creates a smooth link between the foreground and the background, it emphasizes the idea of a long or infinite path to the light. There are no real differences made between the different plans and it suggests that this place is completely out of the world or out of time.
It appears to be numerous red arches winding down a pathway with Japanese characters on them. I like how the photographer was able to fit the traditional lantern in the photo as well, showing a more ornamental, traditional feature as well as the more cold, modern arches that have very clear lines.
The photographer was able to capture the mystery of the path by not showing the entrance or the destination of the path, almost symbolizing the journey of life.
The image appears to be of multiple Japanese gates. Torii, I think? They are often found at the entrances to shrines and temples. Red may have different symbolism in Japan, but to me, it is a powerful, compelling color. The repetition of the gates in the composition increases the strength of the torii as a symbol. Also the fact that they line a path, whose end can't be seen, represents the difficulty about the way to Enlightenment or the afterlife.
ReplyDeleteNice spot in the curve of these gates for a photo.
ReplyDeleteThe original photographer wanted to capture an 'exotic' image (whether exotic due to the viewer's lack of familiarity with the culture, or due to the viewer's connection of these gates to a mystique spirituality or both) of this sort of secret scene which one only gets to experience if they have actually walked down this pathway. The angles of the gates cut off the viewer's gaze from the outside world, and don't allow you to see the inside unless you enter it. Yet, the gates are still outside and do not bring one away from the surroundings they were in, as though it is a non-existant room, an illusion of changing space.
Once on has passed through the gates, the illusion of changing space completes; I believe the photographer wanted to capture this feeling of transition in its potential form, before what is on the otherwise of the gates can be seen.
The vivid red color of these gates is the most arresting aspect of this photograph. I commented earlier on the color red being symbolic of passion, and I think this holds true here as well. The black-on-red is what makes this a very striking, hard-hitting image; almost nothing else seems to stand out, save for the almost lonely-looking lantern hanging off to the right.
ReplyDeleteI get a somewhat surreal, dream-like sensation from this. Since the angle doesn't let us see the end of the passageway, I think of a never-ending tunnel, or something to that effect.
This picture has for signified the representation of Japanese gates succeeding to each other. They all create a path leading to a mysterious place. We can only use our imagination about this place and surely have high expectations about it. The atmosphere and the succession of the gates insist on the different stages we have to pass through in order to access to the end of the path, to this enlightened space that we can only guess in the background. I like the fact the light is suggesting a different place, a possible ending. This can have a strong mythical representation: I think this path to the light is a reference in every religion and maybe creates a kind of syncretism between lots of believers.
ReplyDeleteEsthetically, I really like the reflections of the lights going through different places is reminding us of the outside world and maybe the different stops we have to make to access to the full ”enlightenment”. Moreover the way picture was taken, creates a smooth link between the foreground and the background, it emphasizes the idea of a long or infinite path to the light. There are no real differences made between the different plans and it suggests that this place is completely out of the world or out of time.
It appears to be numerous red arches winding down a pathway with Japanese characters on them. I like how the photographer was able to fit the traditional lantern in the photo as well, showing a more ornamental, traditional feature as well as the more cold, modern arches that have very clear lines.
ReplyDeleteThe photographer was able to capture the mystery of the path by not showing the entrance or the destination of the path, almost symbolizing the journey of life.
Forgot to sign my name, sooo.... I'm Sam.
ReplyDelete+sam+