Who would you rather be?
Myths … are heroic struggles to comprehend the truth in the world.
Ansel Adams.
The latest in-game at my youngest son’s school is: Who would you rather be?
Now I thought that the obvious choices would be between football heroes such as David Beckham, and pop stars? But this is no ordinary school. This is Hogwarts. So these three little kids decided that they would set their sights a little higher. They decided to choose between God, Zeus and the Devil.
"How come you decided to be Zeus?" I asked my son?
“Because he’s the God of all Gods, he’s big and strong and he’s cool. And he can zap people with lightening.”
So there we have it. My nine-year old son’s ultimate icon is not only a Greek God, but THE Greek God. With that sort of ambition, I’m guessing that he’s gonna go far.
Damn it almost makes those humungous school fees worthwhile.
But it does beg the question, who is your photo-icon and why?
The word icon is derived from the Greek eikon, meaning an image. In the artistic context, icons are visual representations or symbols of sacred or complex concepts (often religious), but the word is also used in modern language to describe the image-makers, in other words, an artist who is so innovative he is practically a super-hero. The UK ex-New-Nude magazine, now dumbed down, de-nuded and rebranded to the absolutely dreadful Photo Icon, uses the term icon to describe “cutting edge photography produced by pioneering photographers.” (Aside: Do NOT buy this magazine. It has no naked women, it is entirely safe for work, and has now become so boring it reviews hiking boots. Honestly. I cancelled our subscription.)
As for me, I’m big on icons, though they are always real-life people as opposed to dead Gods. I favour artists who have pushed the boundaries, who think outside the box. Those photographers whose art moves me emotionally, whose images make me really think, who show me their version of truth and zap my world with an uncustomary lightening bolt.
Several of you fall into this category. I really look up to you, but I ain’t gonna tell you that personally. Lord, no. You’ll get an insufferably big head, or think I’m a bloggie stalker, or I’ll be called a suck-up. Heaven forbid I’d be labelled a “fan.” Ugh. How unbearably crass. We British middle-aged ladies retain a stiff upper lip at all times, whilst secretly nurturing adolescent adoration for your sheer balls and artistic talent.
Do you care? Good heavens no. The whole point of Zeus is to make us realise just how insignificant we mere mortals are. You’re a living icon. I don’t exist in your world, other than as a member of the unwashed masses. I am a mere plebeian to your Zeus.
As for my ultimate icon, why of course it must be my beloved Artiste en Residence. (I have to say that, otherwise he’ll sulk.) No really. He is my hero. He’s also so incredibly Zeus-like that apparently he has no icon. They are pointless in his opinion. He only aspires to be the best he can be. He’s his own super-hero. Pah! This is either very enlightened or the arrogance of a horrendously large ego. I’m not entirely sure which.
I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people's minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing.
Audrey Hepburn.
Zeus and Hera, having a cuddle.
Ansel Adams.
The latest in-game at my youngest son’s school is: Who would you rather be?
Now I thought that the obvious choices would be between football heroes such as David Beckham, and pop stars? But this is no ordinary school. This is Hogwarts. So these three little kids decided that they would set their sights a little higher. They decided to choose between God, Zeus and the Devil.
"How come you decided to be Zeus?" I asked my son?
“Because he’s the God of all Gods, he’s big and strong and he’s cool. And he can zap people with lightening.”
So there we have it. My nine-year old son’s ultimate icon is not only a Greek God, but THE Greek God. With that sort of ambition, I’m guessing that he’s gonna go far.
Damn it almost makes those humungous school fees worthwhile.
But it does beg the question, who is your photo-icon and why?
The word icon is derived from the Greek eikon, meaning an image. In the artistic context, icons are visual representations or symbols of sacred or complex concepts (often religious), but the word is also used in modern language to describe the image-makers, in other words, an artist who is so innovative he is practically a super-hero. The UK ex-New-Nude magazine, now dumbed down, de-nuded and rebranded to the absolutely dreadful Photo Icon, uses the term icon to describe “cutting edge photography produced by pioneering photographers.” (Aside: Do NOT buy this magazine. It has no naked women, it is entirely safe for work, and has now become so boring it reviews hiking boots. Honestly. I cancelled our subscription.)
As for me, I’m big on icons, though they are always real-life people as opposed to dead Gods. I favour artists who have pushed the boundaries, who think outside the box. Those photographers whose art moves me emotionally, whose images make me really think, who show me their version of truth and zap my world with an uncustomary lightening bolt.
Several of you fall into this category. I really look up to you, but I ain’t gonna tell you that personally. Lord, no. You’ll get an insufferably big head, or think I’m a bloggie stalker, or I’ll be called a suck-up. Heaven forbid I’d be labelled a “fan.” Ugh. How unbearably crass. We British middle-aged ladies retain a stiff upper lip at all times, whilst secretly nurturing adolescent adoration for your sheer balls and artistic talent.
Do you care? Good heavens no. The whole point of Zeus is to make us realise just how insignificant we mere mortals are. You’re a living icon. I don’t exist in your world, other than as a member of the unwashed masses. I am a mere plebeian to your Zeus.
As for my ultimate icon, why of course it must be my beloved Artiste en Residence. (I have to say that, otherwise he’ll sulk.) No really. He is my hero. He’s also so incredibly Zeus-like that apparently he has no icon. They are pointless in his opinion. He only aspires to be the best he can be. He’s his own super-hero. Pah! This is either very enlightened or the arrogance of a horrendously large ego. I’m not entirely sure which.
I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people's minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing.
Audrey Hepburn.
Zeus and Hera, having a cuddle.
posted by Lin at 7:48 AM
4 Comments:
I wondered about the New Nude magazine. It had some wonderful photography while it lasted, but as you say, Photo Icon is a waste of time.
Peter B
What a fascinating post. I am completely into icons. My theory is that they are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. And sometimes really stupid and rotten things, too, but I never care because they are my icons and therefore rule exempt.
I like rock stars. Mick Jagger and Tina Turner make me scream, really they do, they are so electrifying. I revere the icons of the 1950s: Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Marlon Brando.
Aside from iconic stars, there's my dad. He died in 1996, but he was the most amazing person I ever knew really well, a little guy (whose clothes I can actually wear) whose power to influence took gigantic proportions.
Thanks, Lin, for a great topic and the chance to reflect.
In terms of photography, I'd have to say I just want to be a better and better version of myself -- constantly changing and improving.
But, if I had to be someone else, it might be Helmut Newton in his best years, or Ellen Von Unwerth. Just the photographer parts, not any weird baggage. There are others, of course, like Richard Avedon and possibly Annie Leibovitz.
I really admire photographers and other artists who show little fear in the face of criticism, while maintaining a healthy concern for success. Yes, those with balls.
[ Ed smiles, proudly displays his middle finger, and wishes everyone would do the same! ]
Great. Does this mean I fancy myself a Johnny Rotten? No, maybe just a Johnny Cash.
The idol is the measure of the worshiper.
James Russell Lowell
1819-1891, American Poet, Critic, Editor
Again I'm going to use the fact I'm not a photographer of any consequence so don't really have a Photo-Icon. I have lots that I admire and if I was a shooter I'd emulate but the list is to long and varied and would take me too long to think about my response.
But I do know....
Some days I'd rather be anyone but me. The other days there is no one I'd rather be than me.
D.L. Wood
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