Cloe reading: a dialogue about a photograph

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A friend, a distinguished psychologist, wrote to me on Thursday, January 3, 2013: I need a critique of the picture [see above]. Would you oblige?  He attached this image, which carried the title, “On the Wings of a Dove:”

 

My reply: I assume this is not a joke. So here it is: If the title of the picture refers to Psalms 55:6, David is crying to God for escape from his enemies, and, presumably from life: “Oh that I had the wings of a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest.”

In this picture it appears that the dove cannot escape. The image my be manipulated on Photoshop with several layers. In the foreground it appears that a pane of glass has been photographed with drops of water or raindrops running down. The dove (if that is what it is) is behind the glass, and appears, possibly, to have hit it in its attempt to fly away. That only seems likely, because of the scattered feathers, which have a more conspicuous outline than any other part of the bird. If we only saw the head of the bird, it would not be as apparent, because it is so out of focus. A fragment of wings is also visible on the right side of the image. The background is nearly impossible to decipher. Divided in three layers, on a slight diagonal, is the top, taupe section with a pattern possibly consistent with the shape of wings. A darker brown strip, which divides the top from the greenish lower section, which could be interpreted to be grass. All three parts of the background are in soft focus, which makes them more of a design than a specific image.

The dove appears either trapped or to have hit the glass, possibly injured itself, and cannot escape. The solution offered in the Psalm seems to be, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee." (Psalm 55:22)

All of the above, however, is interpretation of possible meaning. If one were to take a reader (viewer)-response approach, the viewer is left to construct fragments of an image without absolute or clear meaning. These fragments include the foreground of drops of water, presumably, the white shapes, and the background. The viewer would then also have to decide whether the white shape just to the left of center is connected to the feathers (the most apparent part of the image) and if so how and why. This leaves the picture open to multiple readings.

The one thing that seems to confine the meaning of the picture is its title, “The Wings of a Dove.” Without that, the picture would have multiple layers of possibility.

If one were to put a gun to my head, however, and demand an interpretation, I would say that, connected with the title, the implied image of the dove is trapped and cannot escape its surroundings and, given the wing fragments, may have been injured in its attempt to escape. Therefore, it takes on an existential meaning--the entrapment of both the dove and humankind (a la David) in a life that is hostile, prevents escape, and defies resolution.

What do you think is the meaning of the picture?

My friend’s reply: I have to confess; I wasn't asking for an interpretation. I, in my humble stature, was merely asking, "Is it a good picture?" "Does it any artistic value or appeal?" However, the other turns out to be very valuable given my intent for use of the picture. I will tell you all about that.

My reply: The answer to that question is, yes, it has artistic appeal. For the reasons I gave in my wordy reading of the photo. It's simple yet complex and defies an oversimplified reading. It has a dreamlike quality, and most photographs do not do that. And--I ramble on--it has color, composition, shapes, and lines that are not found in the usual photograph. Did you shoot the picture? Because it appears to have been Photoshopped. If shot without manipulation, it could also have been taken with a shallow depth of field, which explains the background, and then I suspect you shot it.

That said, as I was dozing off last night, I remember the doves at Margaret's funeral, and I thought there was a possible--and interesting connection.

My friend’s reply: One day I came home and saw a dove lying on the ground. I just left it there. When I went in the house I noticed the window with image on it and realized the dove had flown into it. I took a few shots. Later that day I noticed the dove was gone. I assume it recovered and flew away.

Yes, I have tinkered with the image on two different computers, not really knowing what I was doing. When I printed this image, much of the background had fused, sort of run together with what I thought were some interesting colors and patterns. The real background is grass and some tall bushes.

The reason I am playing with it now is that I was looking for some way to let some people know about Margaret's death and I thought of the Psalm we associated with the doves at the graveside service. I thought they might go together, but didn't trust my judgment and needed some support.

My reply:  I do think the image, in spite of your background explanation, stands alone. As I said, your title puts it into a Psalmic context, but the sense of entrapment is the feeling that sticks with me. The question of whether the bird, with its blurred head, can even survive, its feathers flying in every direction.

Which brings me to the releasing of doves at Margaret's service. The image was so powerful to me that I choked down sobs. I didn't want to give full vent to my emotions, but they were there. Sometimes, for me at least, we don't know how such archetypal images are affecting us. We just react. That was true for me. I didn't think, I simply reacted to the doves without knowing why. Only afterwards, when I gave thought to the experience, could I realize just how and why it was so powerful. I believe it was the releasing of the doves as a symbol of finally escaping life's pain, just as David wanted to escape it. that made the image so powerful for me.

Your story of finding the dove, then noticing that it had flown away is all the more powerful. Your image, however, captures it before the escape, and it is not clear that the bird will escape. And that is what gives your picture such wonderful tension--the kind great photographers and artists hope to find. Synchronicity?

My friend’s reply: Of course, when it happened it was just an event. The doves at the graveside were something Ann and Jackie arranged. I was touched also, even obsessed with the symbolism. Margaret wanted so to be released and to find rest those last months, even for a year. Thus the symbolism is enlarged with the "trapped" dove which finds release, just as Margaret finally did. Had I been able to "supply the wings" I would have done so.

I will use the image to convey my message to a few people who sent Christmas cards not aware of Margaret's death.