12 thoughts on “Passionate Imbalance”

  1. A brilliant piece Loren. I enjoy especially the imperfection of one of the anthers missing and the off centeredness of the framing. The software hours you’ve put in seem to be paying off.

  2. Thanks, I think I’m exploring my current fascination with flowers.

    Strangely enough, I’ve never particularly been a flower guy until recently, though I’ve also spent more time raising vegetables than I’ve done recently.

    I’m still not sure why I’m so fascinated, but it has something to do with symmetry and balance, beauty and truth, birth and death, spring or fall.

    Or, maybe it just has to do with the need to take a “good picture,” and the definition of “good picture” keeps changing as I attempt to do so.

  3. This is ethereal, Loren. It reminds me of a painting (though I cannot remember the name of the artist at present). Just gorgeous!

  4. Thanks for the comment and the link, kenju.

    Never have too many readers, or lookers, for that matter.

  5. Hi Loren, I’m here from kenju’s place. Your blog is a feast for the eyes. Just beautiful. I particularly like your ‘Centered’ photo (I’m a sucker for symmetry).

  6. Me, too, Mary.

    Heck, I even point it out when something lacks symmetry, including my life.

  7. This entry in particular (and the site of late) has me thinking of a concept I just recently learned about (within the last 3 years) called Wabi Sabi.

    I don’t mind symmetry and it can be quite aesthetically pleasing as most do. In fact, I think we are wired to be drawn to symmetry. However, because of this draw, I think our culture over values symmetry as a symbol of perfection when, in fact, nature tends to be more chaotic than symmetric. Although symmetry does often emerge as an ephemeral aspect of the chaos that created it. Think of the radar pictures of the recent hurricanes as an example.

    jon

  8. I think one of the reasons we seek symmetry is precisely because so much of our life is not symmetrical, out-of-balance, so to speak.

    Passion, something most of us value, seems to be out-of-balance, not centered.

    Symmetry seems restful, passion (non-symmetry) energetic, the ying and yang of life, as it were.

    But I’ll have to read more on Wabi Sabi as it sounds like an interesting concept, Jon.

  9. Symmetry seems restful but the pursuit of it is anything but. For example, body builders, ballerinas and a host of others are praised (and judged!) on symmetry precisely because of how good of job that type of posing and posturing fools us into thinking, “that’s how we are, really”. It’s exhausting to be symmetrical. Ask anyone who tries. In my opinion we crave a state of being that is not who we are. At least not authentically or enduringly.

    jon

  10. We should probably move this conversation offline to emails, jon, but I suspect the Chinese and the Japanese put even more emphasis on “balance” and “symmetry” than we do.

    Certainly Daoism is all about symmmetry and balance, as the symbol for the Tao indicates. Tai Chi practice an active form of balance and symmetry, with each motion have an opposing and balancing action.

    Meditation seems about as balanced as one can get, even the triangular shape of the meditator suggests symmetry.

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