Before I go on, I think you need to know a little bit about me I think. I was born and raised in Upstate New York. But, that does not mean that I am removed from what happened in NYC. Both my parents are from New York City and we spent 4-6 weeks of every year visiting our family and friends. It has always been in my blood. A place I call Home.
There are few things in this world that can make me cry. I consider myself to be tough as nails... well, let's be honest, I'm a bitch. But, watching the event unfold on that day, made me sob. I think I ended up living in a daze for the next year. That was my senior year in college, and frankly, I dropped the ball... but that's another story.
That morning, when I woke up and saw the news, I put a tape in my VCR and hit the record button. On 2 VHS tapes I have 12 hours of news footage... every year, I make sure I have the 11th off and I sit down and watch some (or all) of those two tapes.
And I cry.
Maybe it's a strange tradition, but I find it to be very cleansing.
I am ever the artist, never does a day go by that I am not 'in' my art. As I watched that day, I got an idea... I loaded my Nikon with Black&White film and photographed my TV... and the series I will be posting over the next couple of weeks is the result of the idea. I found it surprisingly powerful, for me at least.
This was very moving and I also cried. Your way of keeping yourself in check with such a horrible tragedy is absolutely breathtaking. So many people forget and you really keep it all real and in perspective. Thank you for reminding me how precious every life is.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristen.
ReplyDeleteI am finally starting to post the images... I hope you like... no... enjoy... no... you know, I am not sure what the right word is here... pictures of a tragedy and all... appreciate... yeah that's the word.
Appreciate. Understand. Contemplate. I'm sure they will be beautiful. And, though it sounds inappropriate, I'm looking forward to them. I've never had any ties to NYC, and I know it was such a traumatic time for so many. People all over are still affected to this day, including you, of course. I've always dove into the subject, wanting to be able to help the ones I've loved. And I know pictures is one way through.
ReplyDeleteJust want to stand up and say thank you for sharing the pictures of those films. They seem very private to you, so I appreciate it.
While a somewhat morbid ritual, I can see how it can be refreshing to spend one day a year releasing your true emotions on the subject. Cathartic.
If you need someone to talk to about it, let me know. I sent my phone number to your RL twitter a while back. Text me anytime.