All week we’ve been looking at different aspect of windows, and their use in art and commerce.
Now this weekend, my suggestion for you is to focus on one particular aspect of our windows theme, and create or collect a series.
Why?
Because it can be incredibly instructive to look at multiple takes on the same subject - as well as a lot of fun. And it is even more rewarding to create your own, so if you have time, grab your camera and go window-hunting.
Here are some suggestions for window-related themes to focus on over the weekend.
If you would like to dive deeper into the use of windows in art, consider creating a curated collection of art featuring windows by specific artists, or in specific periods.
William Eggleston, En Route to New Orleans, 1971–1974, from the series Los Alamos, 1965–1974 © Eggleston Artistic Trust 2004 / Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London
Think Dutch 17th century painting, Edward Hopper, William Eggleston… There are so many artists who keep returning to the window as subject and metaphor.
If you’re visiting a museum you can of course turn this around and instead of focusing on different artists focus on how windows are depicted and used in artworks in different media, periods and styles.
And if you’d rather create than curate, here are some suggestions for making your own series on windows.
1. Create a series of windows in your area, a Becher-inspired typology for example.
2. Look for and photograph people at the window. Looking out, or preoccupied in thoughts or activity.
Robert Frank, Parade, Hoboken New Jersey, 1955-56, Metropolitan Museum
3. Take ‘windowsill’ displays as your topic. Interestingly, people tend to mimic what their neighbours put in their windows, which can make for very interesting and amusing pictures.
4. If you prefer for the bigger picture take your inspiration from contemporary photographers like Andreas Gursky and Michael Wolf and use windows as mere patterns in a dehumanised urban landscape.
Eugene Atget, Une vitrine Avenue des Gobelins à Paris, 1925, Metropolitan Museum
And of course you can always take one of the topics we looked at earlier this week at the starting point for your series, e.g. window displays, or the always fascinating reflections.
Enjoy creating or curating your own wonderful window collection and do share it using the hashtag #kramerseye on Twitter or Instagram.