Visual Ovation

A Wish for the Season

 

Honoring Anja Niedringhaus: The Power of Photography, Humanity and a Piece of Wheat

So, it is nearly Christmas.  A time of many thoughts and feelings.  A time of good wishes and hopes and time with family.  A time of joy and renewal.

Yet it also is a time of struggle for many because of all the expectations that are generated about the season.  A time of assault from advertising and the push to celebrate by buying and consuming.  Sometimes it is hard to find the grace and humanity in the season.

Ah, so cynical...

So I was touched today to see the images and read the words of an amazing Pulitzer-prize winning war photographer from Germany by the name of Anja Niedringhaus. 

I have never met her, but I think she is a woman of immense grace. 

Her photographic work is breathtaking. 

Her humanity is clear. 

Below is one of Ms. Niedringhaus's images, and a quote from her article about a young wounded Marine she met in Afghanistan, the photographs she took during his medevac out of the field, and her search to find him afterwards.  

In her images and in her words, Ms. Niedringhaus speaks of the courage of Marine Cpl. Burness Britt, his colleagues and his family.  She speaks of hope and hard work and persistence.  She speaks about the power of being joined by a touch and a piece of wheat.  She speaks about the power of human connection.  She speaks about the power of images to heal.  And she reminds me about those completely unplanned incidents that occur sometimes in life that are unexpectedly powerful and life changing. 

To be clear:  The following image and text are copyright 2011 by Anja Niedringhaus.

"Inside the medevac helicopter in Afghanistan, U.S. Marine Cpl.  Burness Britt bleeds profusely from his neck.  He and two other Marines have just been hit by shrapnel, with Britt's injuries the most serious.  The medevac crew chief clutches one of Britt's blood covered hands as he is given oxygen.  I take hold of the other. 

With my free hand, I lift my camera and take some pictures.  I squeeze Britt's hand and he returns the gesture, gripping my palm tighter and tighter until he slips into unconsciousness.  His shirt is ripped, but I notice a piece of wheat stuck to it.  I pluck it off and tuck it away in the pocket of my body armor. 

 In  my 20 years as a photographer, covering conflicts from Bosnia to Gaza to Iraq to Afghanistan, injured civilians and soldiers have passed through my life many times.  None has left a greater impression on me than Britt."

Ms. Niedringhaus works hard to find Cpl. Britt.  He remembers her and they eventually meet.  He is glad to see her and they again join hands.  He asks to see her images.  It seems that to do so is healing for him, perhaps because in a time of war and trauma, her images are reminders about compassion.   And then she gives him the piece of wheat... 

Read the article.  Here is the link:

http://news.yahoo.com/wounded-marine-inspires-ap-photographers-search-160517834.html

I am grateful to Ms Niedringhaus.  In a small way she has reminded me about what is really important at this time of year. 

So I honor her.  I honor her compassion, her skill and her grace.  And I am touched by the power of photography, humanity and a piece of wheat. 

World AIDS Day 2011

 

The San Francisco Bay Area was one of the places where the devastation of AIDS was first felt.  It also was one of the places where standards of effective, compassionate care were first developed, and where research and treatment protocols were evaluated and established.

Today I find myself thinking about the many patients with HIV/AIDS and their partners and families with whom I have had the privilege of working over the years.  And I think about my colleagues in clinical and research settings, whose work has been so important and humane. 

It has been amazing to bear witness to the developing understanding of this complicated illness.  Because of the effectiveness of current treatment, AIDS seems like a very different disease than it was 30 years ago.  It used to be a death sentence.  But now, for many in the United States, it has become a manageable, chronic illness.  Still, there are many people in the United States who still suffer, and there are many places in the world where AIDS still ravages communities, and especially communities of women and children. 

So today I think about those who have gone and those who were left behind.  I think about those who still live with AIDS and those who care for them.  To be sure, there have been many positive changes in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.  But there is still a lot to do in other places in the world.  It is no time to be complacent.  It continues to be important to work aggressively in prevention and treatment efforts both at home and abroad. 

But on this World AIDS Day, there is good reason for hope.    And that is something to celebrate.

Many people in the United States don't know that there is a national memorial dedicated to those whose lives have been touched by AIDS.  It is the beautiful National AIDS Memorial Grove, located in San Francisco.  To find out more information, vist the website:

http://www.aidsmemorial.org/

Street Homage to Michael

 

From the artistically amazing Balmy Alley in San Francisco, this painting pays homage to Michael Jackson. 

Here is a close up view -

 

 

Now the verdict has been rendered, perhaps he can finally rest peacefully.

In Remembrance

 

A tower of roses

In honor

In remembrance

 

The Winds of War (for STS)

 The winds of war

have been devastatingly hot in the last few days.

Many have been burned:

Elite warriors.

A canine SEAL.

Their brave families.

Lest we forget.

 
   

For Those Who Suffer in Norway

 

Sometimes it is hard to hold onto the positive spirit that is embodied in something like the Kindness Flag Project, the subject of the most recent posts.  We are surrounded by suffering, as well as beauty, if we care to look. 

Right now, the suffering is great in Norway.  This poignant image comes from a cemetery in Bavaria.  But you don't have to be Bavarian or even particularly religious to feel touched by it.  The emotion that is so movingly conveyed is universal.

The Kindness Flag Project has a Blog

 

Tuesday's post showed images from the amazing display of public art and healing called "The Kindness Flag Project" in Vancouver, Canada.

There now is a blog devoted to the project.  Check it out:

www.kindnessflagproject.wordpress.com

It may sound simple, or even simplistic, but the concept is profound:

 

Thanks to Ingrid Tamboline and everyone who participated in the Project for reminding us.

 

Healing Flags, The Kindness Flag Project

 

This is a story about the power of one person to make a difference and the power of art to help a community heal from trauma.

In June, 2011, in the aftermath of the loss of the Stanley Cup to Boston, there were riots in downtown Vancouver.  In addition to injuries, many businesses had windows smashed and there was looting.  But the response to this violation was amazing. The larger Vancouver community rose to the occasion to try to heal the damage done to the city's heart.  The next morning people flocked to the city center to start the clean up. 

But there was more.  On the boards that had been placed over broken windows, people began to write about their feelings.  Their messages were of anger, frustration and hope.  Another blog entry will focus on these.  But suffice to say that the layers and layers of writing were extraordinarily powerful.  Here is a small example from one of the boards:

 

 This is one of the buildings that took the brunt of the damage, the Hudson Bay Company.  You can see the boards behind the fencing.

 

 But this brings us to the other amazing development.  Do you see the layers and layers of prayer flags?  These were the result of the efforts of one woman, Ingrid Tamboline.  She remembered a project that had been developed to honor the visit of the Dali Lama to Vancouver a number of years before.  In this project, prayer flags were created and displayed publicly.  Ingrid's goal was simple and simply profound.  This poster shows her invitation:

 

And so the Kindness Flag Project was born. In an interview, Ingrid thought that only a few people would make these flags.  But the word was spread with facebook and flikr sites developing quickly.  Less than a week later, it was estimated that over 2,000 flags were fluttering over the damaged downtown area.

The riot occurred on Wednesday and we arrived on Sunday.  We had known about the riot, but we had not heard about the community response.  We took the sky train from the airport to the downtown, and when we emerged from the station we were amazed.  To see board after board with layers of writing and then look up to see layer after layer of prayer flags was incredible. 

The next morning we went out with the intent of trying to record this amazing piece of public art and emotion.  The more we saw and the more we read, the more powerful it all seemed. It would be impossible to photograph it all.  We simply hope our limnited collection of images does justice to the intent of the Vancouver community.

The image at the top of this blog is a collection of flags that to our eye typified the beautiful messages of love and hope and peace that were created.  But there were other messages as well.

Words of wisdom about the relationship between darkness and light in life:

 

 

 

Words of thanks to police and first responders (and this was a theme reiterated in the messages on the window boards, as well.)

 

 

 

There were comments of support to the Vancouver community (with a little humor added)

 

And a final comment about the power of social media for good:

 

We came to Vancouver hoping to capture some images of the lovely bay and interesting architecture.  But we found so much more.  In coming when we did, we were able to know Vancouver in a way that we could not have imagined.  We were able to see the strength of a community and the power of art to heal.  The flags gave messages of hope and inspiration to the sad Vancouver community and to us, as well. 

We think this flag summed it up beautifully:

 Google "Kindness Flag Project" and "Ingrid Tamboline" for more information about the Kindness Flag Project and what happened in Vancouver. To see more of our images of the flags, go to our Website to the "Transformation and Healing" folder. 

Urban Wisdom

 

Today we were at a small town parade to celebrate the coming of the Apple Blossoms.  In addition to the fun of any small town parade, this young lady was serving a dose of urban wisdom.  Her message struck us as rather sweet.  It won't cure the world's ills, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

But urban wisdom (even serious stuff) doesn't have to be stuffy.  We'll  take that message with a side of joy, please.

 

For Those Who Suffer in Japan

 

 

 After devastation...

 

 

...a visual offering of hope. 

 In time, the chrysanthemum will bloom again. 

Emerging Spirit

 

This image was taken in 1999.  In some respects, it was a wonderful set of circumstances:  My work had led me to Petra, Jordan, now considered one of the seven new wonders of the world.  I wandered in awe, captivated by the structures, but particularly by the colors.  Indeed, Petra has been described as "A rose red city half as old as time." 

But I also was troubled.  The work that had brought me to Jordan was becoming more difficult.  I had taken a huge risk, stopped work that I had loved, that I had been good at, to take on a new job in a completely new enterprise.  But as time unfolded, it became clearer to me that I was working in the shadow of someone who I considered a dear friend and respected deeply, but whose expertise I could never equal, and in whose shadow I would always remain.  On the trip, I had begun to fear that my spirit, my creativity, my self would be worn down if I stayed.

As I was walking in this place of rose red wonder, I turned a corner, and there she was.

Some may say that she has been worn down by the ages.

I prefer to think of her as an emerging spirit.

I include this image, today, to acknowledge the turmoil and change that is blanketing parts of the Middle East right now, including Jordan, but particularly Egypt.  Beginning in Tunisia and continuing in an extraordinary tsunami of popular rebellion, there is a spirit emerging in these places that is new.  It is unclear how this will all unfold - it is a dangerous time, full of promise and fear.

For me, following my spirit engendered a painful separation and loss that I had never imagined would happen.  But out of that time of turmoil came the most extraordinary experience:  The quite unexpected opportunity for a professional "homecoming" with the chance to work with marvelous colleagues, in a setting that I had always hoped to return to, and the opportunity to be of service to patients whose struggles were profound. It was the opportunity I had always dreamed about, but had never dared think could become a reality. In the end, in following my spirit, I found my home.  

As for the situation in the Middle East:  We can only wait and see what will happen.  The emerging spirit of change has made her presence known - it remains to be seen where she will lead.

The Angel

 

It has been a difficult week in many places in the world. 

This graceful figure honors those who have passed and those who continue to suffer. 

She also honors the human capacities to use art to express that which cannot be put into words, and to make meaning and beauty out of loss.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the house

not a creature was stirring...

 

...well, except for L,

who was still wondering

if Santa was really on his way...

 

So while K was dreaming of mice and sugarplums

L was hoping that nice had outweighed naughty

and kept her eyes open for Santa.

Is Santa on His Way?

 

It was Sunday morning and L was reading the papers.   Something caught her attention.  She wanted Frank to pay attention, too...

 

 

It was very important.  She wanted to know if what she read was true...

 

Is there really a Santa Claus? 

 
 

Is he really on his way?

L spent the day wondering if she had been naughty or nice. 

We think that since she's a kitten, by definition, she has been a bit of both (Dial M for Mischief).  But we are in love with her and her sister, anyway. 

With a bit of luck, Santa just might be on his way...

Bitter Sweet Symphony

 

"Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life..."

The Verve

from Urban Hymns

Yesterday, millions of souls entered the world and millions left it.  That is the way of life.  Elizabeth Edwards was one of the souls who left.  I didn't know her, but for good or for ill, the bitter-sweet symphony that was her life was played out in front of us all.  In her response to the symphony, she seemed determined to retain her voice, and to continue her search for meaning, understanding and grace.

This image, from a wall in a quiet calle in Venice, reminds me about the tangled, bitter-sweetness of life.  There is the juxtaposition of the new and the old, the hope of youth and the reality of decay, the darkness of damage and betrayal next to the brightness of color and hope, the reality of endings and beginnings.  It is ugly.  It is beautiful.

And perhaps this is what life is all about: Understanding that as our own symphonies play, there will be notes that are bitter and ones that are sweet, and that a strange beauty develops out of the inevitable interaction of such complexities. In the end, noble goals are to strive to find our voice, and to search for meaning, understanding and grace in it all.

In Honor, In Remembrance, on Veterans Day

 

 

In Flanders Fields

by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

 

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

 Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

 

We are the Dead.  Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

 

In the British Commonwealth, Remembrance or Armistice Day is symbolized with the wearing of red poppies.  Colloquially, the 11th of November is called "Poppy Day."  As a child I loved Poppy Day because I loved wearing the little red paper poppy pin that we all were given at school to put on our uniforms.  So bright and pretty. But I didn't understand the meaning of the poppy until I was older. 

We don't wear poppies in the United States.  Perhaps we should.  Perhaps it's not a bad idea to have, physically attached to us, such a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by so many.

Lest we forget.

Storm Clouds Over the Third Republic

 

France is in turmoil at the moment, with unrest over proposed social and economic changes.  It is not the first time and will not be the last.  This image is from Paris, looking towards the Louvre from the Jardin des Tuileries.  With the striking combination of beautiful statuary and elegant architecture against a dramatic and ominous sky, this image seemed symbolic of tumultuous times.

On the Way to Infinity (I reached out for God)

 

"I think I had extraordinary luck. 

I was with God and with the devil. 

And I reached out for God."       

Mario Sepulveda

Rescued Chilean Miner

  

 

As I type this, there continues the most extraordinary undertaking in Chile:  The rescue of 33 miners after 69 days trapped underground.  They are being pulled up from the depths in a small tube-like capsule, only 13 feet tall, called, "Phoenix."  Who can imagine their feelings as they take the 15 minute or so ride back into the world?

We think about those men, their families and all those who made this rescue possible.  And we think about those miners and their families, in so many other places, including the United States, who have not been so lucky.

We originally called this image, from the beautiful Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley, "On the Way to Infinity."  And yet, today, it seems to mean so much more.