“Crystal City” (a One-Shot Story)

By Dave Powell

Sometimes, a piece of art offers so many tempting ways to capture portions, parts and pieces! That’s how I reacted when I first encountered this stunning Josiah McElheny assemblage at Boston’s MFA in 2016. When I entered its room, it blew me away.

Titled “Endlessly Repeating Twentieth Century Modernism,” its 24x93x93-inch internal cavity seemed to float within a huge mirrored cube. The cavity was mirrored too… and presented infinite reflections of the artist’s beautiful hand-blown vases, boxes, decanters and bottles. It was almost too much to take in, and I decided to turn a tiny portion of it into a “Crystal City” image.

But which portion? I walked around, viewing it through my iPhone, until I saw that the tall “minaret building” on the right gave my “city” a nice sense of depth and scale. Most other angles looked flat, endless, and repetitive. (Note, too, the lovely way McElheny’s infinite crystal world is encapsulated again in the stopper atop the minaret!)

Reflecting on Ideas

McElheny says he created this (and other works) based on a 1929 conversation between sculptor Isamu Noguchi and designer/architect Buckminster Fuller (father of the Geodesic Dome). They “discussed a world of form without shadow; totally reflective forms inhabiting a totally reflective environment that would be totally self-enclosed– the perfect utopian environment.”

McElheny also wanted to explore “how the act of looking at a reflective object could be connected to the mental act of reflecting on an idea.” I especially got this “reflecting on an idea” part… and love the minuscule piece of McElheny’s infinite glittering world that I took home with me.

Sadly, according to the above MFA link, “Endlessly Repeating…” seems to be in storage. But maybe (like Brigadoon) it’ll someday emerge back into view. Hopefully (unlike Brigadoon) it won’t take another 100 years to reappear!

Epilogue

Thankfully, most museums and galleries allow photographs (as long as flash isn’t used). And when looking for “portions, parts and pieces” to shoot, I also look for interesting shadows. Museum/gallery ceilings often contain so many lights that even simple things like chair legs can cast wonderful abstract patterns on floors and walls. Art in their own right.

Or wheels! In Rockland Maine’s Farnsworth Art Museum, a security guard once saw me snapping photos of the floor. He casually sauntered over and asked why. I pointed to the floor’s multiple overlapping shadows of a spoked buggy wheel and showed him my photo of them. “That’s effing beautiful!” he said… and walked away. I couldn’t get a lovelier review!

So if you’re in a gallery or museum and looking for new angles on things, scan the shadowed floors and walls that many people never notice.

–Dave Powell is a Westford, Mass., writer and avid amateur photographer.

A little note from Hamish: If any other current contributors to the 35mmc would like to submit a post like this, then feel free. I will share these on Wednesday afternoons to begin with, more if they get popular.

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About The Author

By Dave Powell
Trained in mathematics, physics, cosmology, computer programming and science journalism. Retired mathematician, award-winning technical and journalistic writer. 1989 winner of the Bruce B. Howat Award-- an international business-journalism equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. (Only one Howat was awarded each year, IF the committee in Geneva found an article they really liked. But I don't think the prize is granted anymore.) Also a past author and editorial advisor for Sesame Street... where I regularly worked with Jim Henson and Kermit!
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Dave Powell on “Crystal City” (a One-Shot Story)

Comment posted: 03/06/2023

HI John, I keep trying to post a reply... maybe this third attempt will take! Thanks so much... and I'm very glad you like the stopper effect! Enjoy shooting gallery exhibits... and I'll turn MY camera toward candids of gallery visitors. It would be fun to try the technique that I described in my article on "Shooting the 'Callahan' Way"!
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Autocad India on “Crystal City” (a One-Shot Story)

Comment posted: 03/06/2023

Can I get a 'heck yeah' for your blog? It's like a superhero pep talk in written form. Keep pumping out that motivation, champ!
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Dave Powell replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2023

I appreciate your enthusiasm Autocad India! You're the second person to ask for more about abstract photography... and I will pump more out!

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John Orr on “Crystal City” (a One-Shot Story)

Comment posted: 03/06/2023

A really lovely read and the reflection of the whole initiation on the stopper top is almost other worldly. I have recently been making candid images of people in galleries, but will now also turn my camera on the exhibits!
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Brian Nicholls on “Crystal City” (a One-Shot Story)

Comment posted: 31/05/2023

Wonderful posting Dave. Thanks. I indulge in all sorts of abstract photography with a digital camera and I suppose, am at my happiest when doing so. More please!
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Dave Powell replied:

Comment posted: 31/05/2023

You are welcome Brian! So glad you liked it. I too love "Everyday Abstracts"... and there will be more!

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