Exploring Aesthetic Sensibilities Through Photography.
Discovering the Beauty in the Ugly – or at least discover something attractive in the ugly: In our last article, we delved into the concept of wabi-sabi and I shared some of my work. Thanks for the positive feedback! Today, we will go a step beyond wabi-sabi, using photos from my recent trips to illustrate our new topic. And I promise, next time we will devote ourselves entirely to the beautyful again.
I always aim to explore the boundaries of our vision, well-being, and aesthetic sensibility. Translating this into images is challenging but exciting, as the results are often unpredictable.
The photos I’m sharing today aren’t meant to highlight the misery or backwardness of the destinations. Instead, they focus on finding beauty in the seemingly ugly aspects of life.
Why the Ugly?
We often strive for perfection, for the ideal image. But what if we shift our focus? What if we embrace the flaws, the imperfections, and the overlooked? This is where the true magic lies.
How It All Began
Years ago, a friend praised my artwork to an affluent individual whose daughter loved to paint. I was invited to give her private lessons. The girl, around 12-13 years old, showed me her “pink pony” drawings. I advised her to try depicting imperfect subjects, like an overflowing garbage bin, rather than idealized beauty. My suggestion was met with confusion, but it laid the foundation for my current approach.
Today, this philosophy remains central to my painting and sometimes photography too. I am not a photographer and the photos are as such. However, they should be sufficient for our purposes.
A Product of These Considerations
First, an abstract work embodies my attempt to implement this basic idea. It rather resembles a muddy puddle in the forest, unattractive to the point of ugliness, with a blue accent in the center that leads to a spiritual realm. Initially, I did not particularly like this picture, but now I see it as one of the most important works of the year.
Philosophical Basis
As usual, this piece is influenced by Daoism. Many know Sun Zi and his famous saying, “When you are at peace, think of war. When you are at war, think of peace.” This reflects the idea that everything contains its opposite, akin to the yin-yang symbol. If we consider this idea, the non-beautiful is inherently part of the beautiful. The English expression “Even the sun has spots” captures this, though it is not Daoist due to its judgmental nature. Accordingly, ugliness contains beauty, depending on our definition of beauty.
The following photos from a market in Sharm el Sheikh feature old, broken mannequins. While they may not appear beautiful at first glance, I aimed to find and capture something attractive in them. The aspects of absurdity and surrealism also play a role here. As an old salesman, one question intrigues me: How do I sell old junk when I have nothing to advertise my goods with? This is pure sales technique.
The series with mannequins in Sharm el Sheikh
The Photographic Journey:
The images you’ll see here are not your typical postcard-perfect scenes. They are glimpses of the overlooked, the forgotten, and the often-ignored. They are snapshots of reality, raw and well, somehow brutal.
- The Unseen: Through these images, we aim to reveal the hidden beauty in the mundane.
- The Imperfect: We celebrate the flaws and imperfections that make each subject unique.
- The Forgotten: We shine a light on the overlooked corners of the world.
Continuation of the Thought
The aspects of absurdity and surrealism mentioned above play a significant role in the following examples. I took these photos in Marsa Alam, near my hotel. They appear to be machine parts, either discarded or not yet unpacked. My task was to capture something with local color using photos unrelated to typical Egypt. With a bit of imagination, you can see figures resembling mummies, Bedouins, or even a pharaoh. These pieces of trash thus gain a “story,” where their external appearance is secondary to their narrative quality.
The Art of Seeing
By shifting our perspective, we can find beauty in the most unexpected places. It’s about looking beyond the surface, seeing the potential, and appreciating the imperfect.
extra: Diving into Inspiration: Painting the Underwater World in Egypt
My holidays in Egypt are not just about relaxation—they are a chance to dive deeper into my artistic exploration of the underwater world. Through diving and snorkeling, I gather inspiration for my ongoing series, The Magic Sea. These experiences allow me to experiment with a variety of approaches in my work.
The vibrant colors and intricate shapes of the underwater environment often leave me in awe. I aim to recreate this mesmerizing beauty by crafting atmospheres that reflect their magic. At times, I push toward abstraction, walking the fine line between figurative representation and pure abstraction.
After my recent trip to Marsa Alam, I shifted my focus. Instead of emphasizing only the beautiful, I began exploring the less immediately appealing aspects of the underwater world. This approach helps me convey the raw, immersive feeling of being beneath the waves—an experience both captivating and humbling.
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