A lot of people seem to think that art or photography is about the way things look, or the surface of things. That's not what it's about for me. It's really about relationships and feelings...it's really hard for me to do commercial work because people kind of want me to do a Nan Goldin. They don't understand that it's not about a style or a look or a setup. It's about emotional obsession and empathy.
I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I’ve lost.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the emotional distance created by loss, despite the effort to capture memories through photography.
Nan Goldin's quote reveals a deep introspection about the nature of loss and memory. Although she believed that capturing someone's image through photography could preserve their essence and prevent loss, the act of viewing these photographs ultimately serves as a poignant reminder of what she has lost. This paradox highlights how memories and visual representations can evoke both comfort and sorrow, illustrating the complex interplay between love, memory, and grief in human relationships.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of capturing memories, this quote illustrates the bittersweet nature of remembrance.
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Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.
I feel at home in Shondaland. I feel a lot of things at Shondaland, but one of the things I feel that I haven't felt before is at home. I feel accepted for who I am and acknowledged for who I am. I feel like my ideas are embraced.
The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant, 'Men never know when things are dirty or not;' and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to himself, 'Women will have their little nonsense and needless cares.'
The last thing I say on most phone calls is not, 'Goodbye,' but, 'Thank you.'
We do not covet anything from any nation except their respect.
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