Montréal in two Minutes.
After all the traveling I did this summer... it is good to be back "home"!
Labels: metropolis, Montréal
posted by _z. @ 7:58 PM
11 comments
urban_memories [the unfinished polaroids]
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Monday, January 28, 2008
In her eyes.
I would like it if for a day, I could see life through her eyes. Inhabit her soul, and through her eyes grasp how she perceives the world we live in, as we share days in days out; colors, landscapes, depth, dimension, scale, perspective... and me.
My wish unfortunately will remain a wish. And I can only capture and use the reflections "in her eyes" and hope that one day my blue sky will shy in their pure yet sophisticated blackness.
----
Mushaboom - Feist
«Le cadrage, la beauté des couleurs et l'originalité de l'image quant à la représentation d'un des jardins de Flora ont fait en sorte que «in her eyes» est la photo gagnante de cette édition 2007 du concours».
Translation:
The framing, the beauty of the colors, as well as the originality of the image and the portrayal of one of Flora's gardens have all contributed to make "in her eyes" the winning photo of this 2007 edition of the competition.
This above picture was my first ever submission to a photography competition...
And guess what?
I won!
I had submitted more than one photo, and to be perfectly honest, the photograph that ended up winning the competition wasn't my favorite of the bunch. But what the hell, why am I even arguing and nagging when I actually won the thing!
Every year, Montreal organizes a showcase of experimental, "avant-garde" gardens, and ephemeral installations as part of the "International Flora Exhibition". In 2006 I had designed an installation that remained showcased for 2 years. This year's edition of Flora held a competition for the best picture in the show. "In her eyes" is not a photograph of our garden unfortunately, but it features "La Cathédrale de Bamboo" by Fabien Dreuil, Florian Fiebig, and Boris Pintado.
----
Lyric: Mushaboom, by Feist
Helping the kids out of their coats, But wait the babies haven't been born oh
Unpacking the bags and setting up, And planting lilacs and buttercups oh
But in the meantime we've got it hard, Second floor living without a yard
It may be years until the day, My dreams will match up with my pay
Old dirt road, (mushaboom, mushaboom)
knee deep snow (mushaboom, mushaboom)
Watching the fire as we grow (mushaboom, mushaboom)
o-o-o-o-old
I got a man to stick it out, And make a home from a rented house oh
And we'll collect the moments one by one, I guess that's how the future's done oh
How many acres, how much light, Tucked in the woods and out of sight
Talk to the neighbours and tip my cap, On a little road barely on the map
Old dirt road, (mushaboom, mushaboom)
knee deep snow, (mushaboom, mushaboom)
Watching the fire as we grow, (mushaboom, mushaboom)
o-o-o-o-old (mushaboom, mushaboom)
Old dirt road rambling rose, (mushaboom, mushaboom)
Watching the fire as we grow, (mushaboom, mushaboom)
Well I'm Sold...
Labels: about her, memories., metropolis, photography, the flaneur
posted by _z. @ 11:12 PM
22 comments
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Crystalscape.
And just like that, and when you thought snow has melted, winter in
I love snow, but I hate the resulting slush. You can't have one without the other. What do you do?
more crystals
Labels: metropolis, photography, the flaneur, urban
posted by _z. @ 12:08 AM
11 comments
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Another Storm Hits Montreal.
Labels: metropolis, Montréal, photography, the flaneur
posted by _z. @ 10:24 PM
21 comments
Monday, October 01, 2007
Justified Paranoia?
I live in one of the many colorful neighborhoods of Montreal. From on my tiny balcony overlooking the street, I can witness a whole palette of ethnicities meander by the lenses of my camera.
Despite the fact that every Sunday the neighborhood transforms into little Manila, I think that the Jewish community is still predominant in the area.
Every year the JCC (Jewish Community Center) undergoes some sort of renovation or innovation even; and this year is no different; they will be working on adding an extra building to their school. They will remove parking space and relocate kid’s playground, to make way for new architecture.
It just so happens that the firm I work for, got the commission to work on this ambitious project. Out of convenience (since I live close to the site), my boss approached me and asked if I could pass by the JCC and take photos of the existing condition; a normal and habitual procedure before embarking on the design, so we know our way around the site.
Nothing will ever be right, as long as humanity is still plunged in this mechanism of hypnotic paranoia. I also fell in her trap. I am stupid.
A day goes by, M-E comes back from photo day, her face black with anger. A. had gone with her. He is going to be working on the project also, and might as well visit the grounds; his tagging along had proven to be an excellent move. Upon arrival, the guard intercepted their work. He forbade them to take further pictures.
He never addressed a single glance at M-E.
She spoke; he pretended she is not in his realm.
When they told the story, we all laughed, and started picturing what would have happened, if I had accepted the task.
----
The first layer of the story details, how my Paranoia was justified, and how I had the right to have been skeptical and hesitant.
The second layer tells a different story: Any “center” or institution, would have asked questions if approached with a camera lens.
It is even imperative in times like this.
So why am I telling the story to begin with. Why am I writing this?
Forget about the part of the guard not looking at M-E… that’s fanaticism. I despise fanaticism in any shape and form, so that’s not the issue.
Why am I telling the story this way? Why am I presenting it like that?
Here’s what I think about differences:
At first level, there is no fear.
We have personal friendships.
When it groups to a big number, it gets a bit weird.
At the level of communities, the “malaise” occurs.
So it’s all a matter of scale really.
And maybe, just maybe… my paranoia was justified after all.
Despite the fact that every Sunday the neighborhood transforms into little Manila, I think that the Jewish community is still predominant in the area.
Every year the JCC (Jewish Community Center) undergoes some sort of renovation or innovation even; and this year is no different; they will be working on adding an extra building to their school. They will remove parking space and relocate kid’s playground, to make way for new architecture.
It just so happens that the firm I work for, got the commission to work on this ambitious project. Out of convenience (since I live close to the site), my boss approached me and asked if I could pass by the JCC and take photos of the existing condition; a normal and habitual procedure before embarking on the design, so we know our way around the site.
- _z, would you be able to pass by the JCC tomorrow to take some pictures?A few minutes after this conversation was over, I felt like shit. This wasn’t like me. I never thought this way before. I have always tried to evade prejudice and classification, and more so, I never was afraid of anyone. Something stung me that day, and made me decide to see race and religion.
[a moment of silence]
- I would… except you don’t want that; I am Lebanese. (I said with a smile)
- So What?
- You don’t seem to understand. The JCC is under surveillance most of the time, and there are police cars patrolling the area around the clock.
- It’s true I didn’t think that way.
- It’s just that they are going to ask so many questions, and being Lebanese will most probably complicate things.
- Give them your business card, and you’ll be fine!
- Hahahaha, you think?
- Okay! I’ll ask M-E to go.
Nothing will ever be right, as long as humanity is still plunged in this mechanism of hypnotic paranoia. I also fell in her trap. I am stupid.
A day goes by, M-E comes back from photo day, her face black with anger. A. had gone with her. He is going to be working on the project also, and might as well visit the grounds; his tagging along had proven to be an excellent move. Upon arrival, the guard intercepted their work. He forbade them to take further pictures.
He never addressed a single glance at M-E.
She spoke; he pretended she is not in his realm.
When they told the story, we all laughed, and started picturing what would have happened, if I had accepted the task.
----
The first layer of the story details, how my Paranoia was justified, and how I had the right to have been skeptical and hesitant.
The second layer tells a different story: Any “center” or institution, would have asked questions if approached with a camera lens.
It is even imperative in times like this.
So why am I telling the story to begin with. Why am I writing this?
Forget about the part of the guard not looking at M-E… that’s fanaticism. I despise fanaticism in any shape and form, so that’s not the issue.
Why am I telling the story this way? Why am I presenting it like that?
Here’s what I think about differences:
At first level, there is no fear.
We have personal friendships.
When it groups to a big number, it gets a bit weird.
At the level of communities, the “malaise” occurs.
So it’s all a matter of scale really.
And maybe, just maybe… my paranoia was justified after all.
Labels: a matter of scale, delirium, metropolis, Montréal, ramblings
posted by _z. @ 12:27 AM
16 comments
Friday, June 29, 2007
Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre_ [Feminine_01]
Labels: feminine, metropolis, Montréal, Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre, photography, the flaneur, urban
posted by _z. @ 2:09 PM
7 comments
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre_ [Blue_01]
Labels: metropolis, Montréal, Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre, photography, the flaneur, urban
posted by _z. @ 1:11 PM
7 comments
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre_ [Refreshing]
Labels: metropolis, Montréal, Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre, photography, the flaneur, urban
posted by _z. @ 10:44 PM
5 comments
Monday, June 11, 2007
Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre_ [Take On The Streets]
Labels: metropolis, Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre, photography, the flaneur, urban
posted by _z. @ 1:52 AM
11 comments
Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre_ [Pigs Could Chill]
In this park, dogs were not allowed, but Pigs could Chill no problem!
Labels: metropolis, Montréal 28ºC à l'ombre, photography, the flaneur, urban
posted by _z. @ 1:30 AM
3 comments
“The world is changed; I can feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air, much that once was is lost, for none now live to remember it”
□ □ □ □
my other world
blogs i read
- A Blog About Nowt
- Across the Bay
- arch.memory
- Beirut Spring
- Cliché
- Coco's NotSoPrivate Thoughts
- Konnichi[wa Dementia]
- Lilzi .: not so personal :.
- Passing For Normal
- Pen and Ink
- Posh Lemon's Blog
- Tajerib
- The Daily Scribbler
- Shoes That Fit
- s u n b u r s t
- Welcome to my Delirium
previous posts
- Cooking for the Soul.
- Like!
- Architect Oscar Niemeyer (1907 - 2012)
- Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2010.
- blog help: music.
- L'autre bout du monde.
- The Real 1er Trio?
- urban_renewal [rejuvenation of memories].
- Finally, some recognition for Pleky!
- Plastic Symbiosis
archives
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