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Soenda | all galleries >> Galleries >> Store Windows > Pigeonholed
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12-MAR-2008

Pigeonholed

Nikon D40
1/1000s f/7.1 at 55.0mm iso800 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Soenda02-Apr-2008 17:28
I'm glad you asked, Bernard. Here is what I meant.

"Pigeonholing" is an idiomatic expression that means to put everybody into confining categories. It has a negative connotation because in life, people are too complex to be defined by siimple factors. It is a claustrophobic approach to organizing people. Pigeonholing is typical of institutions like the army, schools, hospitals and many workplaces. There, each person may be assigned a number and organized into a database. Individuality is intentionally suppressed.

The cabinet is a visual metaphor for the pigeonholing process. There are many little drawers, each one the same size and shape as all the others. The cabinet symbolizes a reductionist approach to managing people. Each little category, like each little drawer in the cabinet, is confining.

Of course I think that the cabinet itself is exquisite. I mean no disrespect to the fine old piece of furniture. As Ann said, it was probably once used for keeping different herbal remedies at an apothecary store. Herbal remedies are inanimate objects. They can be organized like this without any negative consequences.

But when I saw the cabinet, it was people I thought about, not objects. The cabinet reminded me of the mistake in assigning human beings to rigid categories. It is inhumane to confine their vast differences into tiny drawers. That's what the cabinet brought to mind when I thought of "pigeonholing."
Lee G02-Apr-2008 16:58
Nice textures.
The Dewey Decimal System? Might be full of ancient library cards.


XiaoBernard9902-Apr-2008 13:04
I agree with ANN .I do not understand why you said Pigeonholed
Guest 02-Apr-2008 12:39
Excellent! V
monil02-Apr-2008 01:04
Une excellente photo documentaire.
Les couleurs sont belles.
1moremile01-Apr-2008 22:04
Very nice comp. Wonder what's in those?
Ceya01-Apr-2008 10:07
Great angle and beautiful warm colors, interesting details.. Time has given its patina to the wood. V!
James Clarke01-Apr-2008 04:32
Excellent composition and effect from the reflections on the window(?) . It's got a great depth and texture it. +V
Guest 01-Apr-2008 02:50
Superb capture!!
Glenn D.01-Apr-2008 01:36
Neat image of repetition, well seen
an nguyen01-Apr-2008 00:49
This picture reminds me of the ancient Chinese apothecary drawers with herbs in each drawer. And the herbalist looks at the recipe and compound each individual one. Sounds like something related to what I do? Big V