Richard Ansett

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Goodbye Old Friend

Its a sad day. I have to say goodbye to my old and trusted shopping trolley, arguably my most important piece of equipment. It gave great service but finally just couldn't keep up with the demanding pace of the contemporary photography world. It was stuck in the past, hanging onto those old parochial views that ultimately were holding itself back and me. As with all things it has been replaced by a new, younger, fitter much more stylish model; its lack of experience in a tight spot matched only by its style, enthusiasm and youthful energy. No regrets we had a good run but we have to make way for the new. Goodbye old friend.

Shopping Trolley #1, with Profoto 7b (Paralympians, CH4/Sainsburys), © Richard Ansett 2012

Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Antony Gormley

Antony Gormley, London Studio © Richard Ansett 2008

Monday, 9 June 2014

Antony Gormley Walking

Antony Gormley Walking, London Studio, 2008 (Polaroid 669) © Richard Ansett

Gormley Sweet!

Here is some images of the new Antony Gormley Suite at The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair, London.

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Instinct

Def: 1. An inborn pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a species and is often a response to specific environmental stimuli:

Def: 2. A misappropriated word that excuses an inability to understand or explain the motivations behind decision-making.

There is an immediate emotional reaction to events that can only be evaluated in hindsight. Photography, especially that which explores reality, is a record of that unique but universal response to the moment, it is la petite mort. That which is selected to be shown, is an insight into the personality of the observer and has always been my primary interest. To unravel the forces that motivate instinct is key to progress; these elements are the undercurrent, the third dimension that exists beyond the conventional narratives and aesthetics.

Photography exposes the level of personal progress of both the protagonist and the critic, this is possible to read but is limited to our own unique understanding. Grayson Perry recently mused at the Reith Lectures, (I’m paraphrasing) “I don’t get certain great artists now but I know I will one day, but I am not there yet.” This is an acknowledgement that any understanding of the world is imbued with the experience of the observer.

The only real barrier to progress is cynicism. The element of doubt over the authentic motives behind art is inevitable in such a broad church. Genuineness however is the antidote; no matter how insane it cannot be faked and for me is the arbiter for identifying work of value. It is defined by a relentless passion and belief for a concept so immersing that it defeats the conventional ambition to succeed; it doesn’t even have to be ‘good’. In fact, it’s quite important (relative to the established rules of aesthetics), that it isn’t.

"There's nothing so absurd that if you repeat it often enough, people will believe it." - William James (1842-1910)

To make progress, one must actually ‘become’ more; progress must be made on a fundamental level. As experience and knowledge expand, the perspective on the shared universal space alters and there is a greater chance of developing a unique signature in responding to the moment. It is inevitable and hugely rewarding, but it is a ‘Pandora’s Box’. The alternative though is to be exposed to the lowest possible common denominators that define society.

Image_3599, Woman with Grandmother's Curtains @ Richard Ansett 2014

Sunday, 11 May 2014

The Language of Flowers

Here is a list of the meanings of the rose from the Victorian Language of Flowers.

ROSE (BRIDAL) - Happiness

ROSE (BURGANDY) - Unconscious Beauty

ROSE (CHRISTMAS)- Relieve my anxiety

ROSE (CORAL) - Desire

ROSE (DAMASK) - Freshness, Persian Ambassador of Love

ROSE (DARK CRIMSON) - Mourning

ROSE (DOG) - Pleasure & Pain

ROSE (HIBISCUS) - Delicate, Beauty

ROSE (LEAF) - You may Hope

ROSE (LAVENDER) - Enchantment

ROSE (ORANGE) - Fascination

ROSE (PINK) - Perfect Happiness, Secret Love, Grace & Sweetness, Indecision

ROSE (DARK PINK) - Thankfulness

ROSE (PALE PINK) - Grace, Joy

ROSE (PEACH) - Immortality, Modesty

ROSE (RED) - Love, I love you, Respect, Beauty

ROSE (DEEP RED) - Bashful, Shame

ROSE (TEA) - I'll Remember - Always

ROSE (THORNLESS) - Love at first sight, Early Attachment

ROSE (WHITE) - Innocence, Purity, Humility, I am Worthy of You, Secrecy, Silence

ROSE (WHITE & RED TOGETHER) - Unity, Flower Emblem of England

ROSE (WHITE-DRIED) - Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue

ROSE (YELLOW) - Joy, Jealousy, Friendship

ROSEBUD - Beauty & Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love

ROSEBUD (RED) - Pure & Lovely

ROSEBUD (WHITE) - Girlhood, Heart Ignorant of Love

ROSEBUD (MOSS) - Confessions of Love