After reading the online article titled What Makes Good Art by Margaret Livesey, I began to realize that just because a work of art may seem daunting, confusing, or bizarre upon initial interpretation that not all first impressions can withstand the presence of a thoughtful reconsideration.
During my research for contemporary art pieces I came upon the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago website. While searching through the current exhibitions I found the elements of photography, particularly photographs by Adam Ekberg. The photography titled Aberration #8 intrigued me and puzzled me at the same time. I was instantly drawn the bright blue and green color of the sun’s reflection. However, I could not place the setting of the photograph. My initial thought was that the photograph was taken under the sea looking up at the sky with seaweed infesting the water. Upon second glance I quickly realized the camera was facing up towards the sky with leaves from trees surrounding.
This photograph can seem too minimalistic, therefore baffling and possibly point-less. For the typical person using a camera, a photograph is meant to document a specific place or event or person, not an image that can evoke emotions or memories. After viewing the photograph numerous times I began to see the image as a symbolism for hope, instead of just a bright ring of blue light. The angle of the camera pointing optimistically at the bright and obviously sunny sky evoked memories of summer and feelings of relaxation. The work of art turned from frustrating to pleasing all due to reconsideration.
Adam Ekberg based this portfolio of aberrations off of lens-based phenomenon, such as the reflection of sunlight. Ekberg states that his images juxtapose banality with the phenomenal. This is shown through the ordinary and simple nature scene countered balanced with the bight ring of sunlight from camera shutter exposure.
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