March – May 2018
+ journal excerpts

the subjectivity inherent in paying attention

“until we can understand the assumptions in which we are drenched we cannot know ourselves” – Adrienne Rich

Thinking about the quote from Mary Oliver – “Attention without feeling is just a report.”

The physical/sensual/visual parts of attention, the connection to spiritual/religious practice

(devotion as: attention to + attending to. [Jon Tyson])

+ Sarah bringing out observation as religious (vs. the scientific way I had been thinking of the word).

I find myself wanting a way to think about attention that is internal/separate from anyone else.

(separate from the feeling?)

But it rarely – or probably, never – is separate.

Attention as communal/relational.

So then how does attention relate to concepts of community, power dynamics, consent, communication skills, honesty, emotional intelligence, etc.

This is a much wider way of considering – but maybe the proper/needed de-centering of myself in an art practice of seeing/paying attention/observing.

Which has always felt like the uncomfortable through-line, the me-ness of these things.

Who cares?

Or is this just abstractly  wanting to “legitimize” my little practice.

I’m not sure.

Reconciling expansion with humility – the expansion/enlargement is of our field of vision, of the depth of our empathy.

This is why the vision metaphors.

This is why the fear of blindness.

Note to self, again: ASK.

(pressed from these flowers)