photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Thirty Seven: As others see me > Thinkers and teachers, electronic collage by Marcia Manzello, 2007
previous | next
25-OCT-2007

Thinkers and teachers, electronic collage by Marcia Manzello, 2007

Marcia Manzello created this striking electronic collage by combining Peggy Hammond’s 2003 portrait of me http://www.pbase.com/image/33919891) with my own 2007 photograph of a Confucian Temple in Nanjing, China. http://www.pbase.com/image/86307890) By placing Peggy’s portrait of me, which relies largely on hands, just below the crossed hands of Confucius, she creates a strong symbolic linkage that expresses thought. I am struggling to know, while the serene hands of Confucius seem to already know. The incense sticks and smoke add a spiritual context to this linkage. Marcia speaks here of what I am and what I do -- I put much thought into my work, and then I teach what I learn. Marcia takes what had been reality, and by copying, pasting, merging and blending two images into one, she expresses her idea beautifully through fantasy.


other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis07-May-2009 17:23
I am glad you like it, Chris. It was entirely Marcia's idea and creation, combining the work of three photographers -- Peggy Hammond, who made my portrait; herself, who made the collage, and myself -- who made the shot of the burning incense sticks in front of the statue of Confucius in Nanjing, China.
Chris Sofopoulos07-May-2009 06:35
Very touching picture Phil!
Phil Douglis01-Nov-2007 18:18
Thanks, Chris, for your comment. The credit here goes largely to Marcia Manzello who made the collage using my own image of the Confucian statue in Nanjing, and the portrait of me that my student Peggy Hammond shot four years ago.
Chris Sofopoulos01-Nov-2007 17:59
I like this collage of your portrait Phil.
Very nice!
Phil Douglis31-Oct-2007 18:20
I am glad you see the value of this image as a teaching example, Jenene. There are some who don't like collages as a medium, because they are really fantasies, rather than depictions of fact. There are others who are bothered by a cultural reference to the dead here. Marcia has stirred many thoughts by making this image, and by posting it in this gallery, I am hoping to do what you so eloquently point out -- to help my viewers and students to open their minds, look past cultural interpretation, and see things in ways that they may never have seen them before. If they can then take what they learn and transfer it to their own vision as photographers, they will be the better for it.
JSWaters31-Oct-2007 16:44
I like what Ai Li says about moving past her cultural reference and opening her mind to a different interpretation using her artist's viewpoint. Often, even unintentionally, there is a possibility of presenting a work that may step on cultural toes - even more possible when the viewer subscribes to a very dogmatic cultural interpretation. It's the valuable relationship between teacher and student that frees our thinking, that hopefully gives the artist insight into the varying reactions a work will elicit from viewers of different origins. That said, it's up to the viewer to become the student, and determine how to open their mind to a new way of seeing. Your image superimposed on the Buddha and burning joss sticks illustrates that for me nicely.
Jenene
Phil Douglis29-Oct-2007 18:15
Thanks, Aloha, for adding your own interpretation here. The balance and focus you see in this image is also at the essence of teaching itself. I am glad that this image will encourage you, and others as well, to consider the cultural differences among your potential viewers. When I made the original image, those differences did not come into play. But when Marcia took my image and superimposed my portrait upon it, I don't think she was aware of how Chinese viewers would interpret the image. As it turned out, it was all for the good -- she made the image as a piece of art. I use it here as a teaching example. In the end, her art stirs the imagination, for better or for worse, depending upon the cultural context the viewer brings to it. And my teaching example can provide a useful lesson in cultural interpretation for photographers everywhere.
Aloha Diao Lavina29-Oct-2007 08:19
I rather like the concept of the Confucian tones and you as teacher, Phil. The central composition is somewhat mysterious and I suppose suggests balance and focus. I must agree with Tricia that for Chinese, of whom I share 50 percent blood, there would be a little alarm that the teacher is behind joss sticks. What is interesting for me here is how an image can be interpreted by the viewer, and makes me ponder what it is that I convey in an image that has the value of a culture halfway around the world to my viewer; and if as an image maker we put our own values in the images we make. Certainly an interesting image, and well conceived, with some cultural references.
Phil Douglis29-Oct-2007 02:50
Thanks, M. Williamson, for your comment. It is the repeating rhythms of both the joss sticks and the statue in my original image that form the heart of the composition here, and Marcia has intensified them by superimposing my portrait on them.
M Williamson Lebon29-Oct-2007 01:26
Excellent compo!!! V
Phil Douglis28-Oct-2007 06:40
Thanks, Tricia, for adding to the dialogue here. I am keeping this image in this gallery because it offers a wonderful case study in the effects of differing cultural interpretations. And thank you, too, for beginning that dialogue with a private message to me the other day.
flowsnow28-Oct-2007 02:23
This collage is of good intentions and interpretation with Confucius as a role model and a profound teacher, just like for Phil in his wonderful work in photography. But what Ai Li and I would interpret in the Chinese culture context, the joss sticks relates to religion/death. Interpreting this image in a 'symbolic' manner would mean differently. The relationship between you and Confucius as a teacher fits well in context. For me, I am a bit different, I cannot see your image behind a joss stick, because you are not `dead'. Thank you Phil for being a fantastic teacher to us, as always. Keep the image to help others see the different point of views and interpretation.
Phil Douglis27-Oct-2007 19:12
It is so wonderful to have you back in my galleries, Ai Li. This comment is superb -- it validates my own thoughts on Marcia's image so eloquently. I think she will be thrilled to see what you have to say, as well. You bring a Chinese context to bear here, and you are able to look past the implications of death here, and tie it instead to what Confucius was -- a teacher. I am very much moved by what you say about me here as well, Ai Li. The depth and integrity of your feelings for my teaching is evident, and if you see that in this image as well, all the better.
AL27-Oct-2007 06:43
By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter. Learn as though you would never be able to master it; Hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it. Learning without thought is labor lost; and thought without learning is perilous ~ Confucius

An interesting choice of collage by Marcia, well done! As a Chinese, my initial thought was not a comfortable one as I quickly related those joss sticks to religion and even death. That's because of my cultural difference. But after reading your thoughts, I opened my mind and saw a more meaningful relationship. Confucius is one of most famous teacher in Chinese history, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced the Asian culture and life. He's a traveller too, devoted to teaching, spreading his knowledge acquired through his journey, and gaining many disciples. Many respect and worship him, praying for wisdom and benevolence. Similarly, you're our great mentor in the world of photography and your valuable teachings have affected many of us, our thoughts and our eyes. We certainly do respect and worship you in our own ways :-)
Phil Douglis26-Oct-2007 05:42
Marcia -- fix it in any way you wish, and I would be glad to replace this one with the new one. It's your image, and your idea, and it must please you, first and foremost.
Phil Douglis26-Oct-2007 05:26
Thanks, Nicky -- I agree with you that Marcia did a fine job on this idea. There are many interpretations open to us here -- I see it as a picture about thinking and teaching. Others, particularly those who are from Oriental cultures, might see it in its religious context, since the joss sticks are religious in nature and are used to honor the memory of ancestors in temples. But since I am still very much among the living, I think another context necessarily applies. No matter how we choose to interpret it, this image can offer us a good lesson in the importance of cultural context and how it plays a role in assigning meaning to pictures.
Roe..26-Oct-2007 02:44
I like the symbolic feel and creativity of this image..so well done
Marcia Manzello26-Oct-2007 02:02
I am overwhelmed by the grace of your words, since I am fixing the whole concept of the composition...I will reserve my comments for the new version, as soon as I am done...because I did a pretty bad job on this one.
<3
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment