Well, the official gallery opening is a few days behind me now. The September sun is shining, and the afterglow of what was an amazing night affirms that the evening was worth it, wherever it goes from here.
There are so many people that were essential to its success, but it feels like I've thanked them in public and private ad nauseam. They, or you, know who you are and that I will be forever grateful.
Overall, I have to say that, print sales aside, the whole exhibition, and the journey leading up to it, has been everything that I hoped for, and maybe more. New friendships have been made; momentum rebuilt; talents discovered; and stakes claimed.
(I know I've had my moments of self-doubt and darkness along the way, but I believe these moments are simply part of the journey, and make the destination all the more worth it.)
Whatever form the gallery takes from here, I hope that the magic of August 27th 2016 does not become lost, and that the seeds planted this evening will grow in ways and places yet unforeseen.
I shall continue to do my part to grow a piece of the Prague photo community and remain a humble white belt in the journey that has lead me from those humble pinhole beginnings, to here and now.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
No regrets
Anyone who really knows me, knows that I have been heavily influenced by samurai philosophy since my early 20's. In an era when I once felt quite lost, Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings felt like the only thing that I had to truly cling to. Not only did it show me the way when I had none, it has illuminated a path from which I have never strayed.
Within that philosophy, it is said that a samurai must imagine his death a thousand times. It is understood that to confront death, and to accept it, is to deny it the power it would otherwise hold over you.
In this light, despite my best intentions and my best efforts, I have start to imagine that this gallery venture may be more short-lived than I would like. I mean, if the odds weren't stacked against me when I signed the contract, they sure as hell are stacked against me now. At the end of the day, it's all comes down to money, and unless a miracle happens, mine had just about run out. From a financial perspective, in short, I am fucked.
Strangely, I feel remarkably at peace with it all.
Nobody wants to lose that kind of money I've already put into this place, least of all me, but even if I spend the nest 2 years paying the price of my impulses, I feel a certain peace in knowing that, whatever happens, failure won't be for a lack of trying (even if ill-conceived!).
In the meantime, however, I obviously intend to put every last ounce of effort into making this opening the best it can possibly be. Where it goes from there, is at least partially out of my hands. Simply put, if there is demand within the Prague photo community to use the space to it's full potential, then the space will live. If, however, this whole venture has been nothing more than a vanity project designed only to satisfy myself, then it will not.
Between this coming Saturday and the pending Kickstarter campaign, many questions will be answered. We shall see where it goes from there. Whatever happens, whether it's successful or not, at least I get to live without regret.
Within that philosophy, it is said that a samurai must imagine his death a thousand times. It is understood that to confront death, and to accept it, is to deny it the power it would otherwise hold over you.
In this light, despite my best intentions and my best efforts, I have start to imagine that this gallery venture may be more short-lived than I would like. I mean, if the odds weren't stacked against me when I signed the contract, they sure as hell are stacked against me now. At the end of the day, it's all comes down to money, and unless a miracle happens, mine had just about run out. From a financial perspective, in short, I am fucked.
Strangely, I feel remarkably at peace with it all.
Nobody wants to lose that kind of money I've already put into this place, least of all me, but even if I spend the nest 2 years paying the price of my impulses, I feel a certain peace in knowing that, whatever happens, failure won't be for a lack of trying (even if ill-conceived!).
In the meantime, however, I obviously intend to put every last ounce of effort into making this opening the best it can possibly be. Where it goes from there, is at least partially out of my hands. Simply put, if there is demand within the Prague photo community to use the space to it's full potential, then the space will live. If, however, this whole venture has been nothing more than a vanity project designed only to satisfy myself, then it will not.
Between this coming Saturday and the pending Kickstarter campaign, many questions will be answered. We shall see where it goes from there. Whatever happens, whether it's successful or not, at least I get to live without regret.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
10..9...8...
So, the final count down has begun!
In 10 days, the first big question will be answered. Have I spent the last 3 months sacrificing everything I've got in terms of time, faith and money in vain, OR, will this pending gallery opening be the beginning of what may become a whole new chapter?
Of course, I try to keep a brave face, but the reality is that I am so depleted in every sense of the word, that even if everything works out as I hope, I don't know how much more I can give.
The thought that September is around the corner is both a relief - since I know the work will bring in some well needed cash - and also a little terrifying knowing that I will be walking into it without first having the ability to refresh and recharge before the next 6 week wave of heavy commitments.
In many ways it feels like, if this were a poker game, I've used every bit of savvy and luck I can borrow or muster, and bluffed my way to the final hand where I am all in, winner takes all.
I've done my part. Let's see what cards the dealer has to offer.
In 10 days, the first big question will be answered. Have I spent the last 3 months sacrificing everything I've got in terms of time, faith and money in vain, OR, will this pending gallery opening be the beginning of what may become a whole new chapter?
Of course, I try to keep a brave face, but the reality is that I am so depleted in every sense of the word, that even if everything works out as I hope, I don't know how much more I can give.
The thought that September is around the corner is both a relief - since I know the work will bring in some well needed cash - and also a little terrifying knowing that I will be walking into it without first having the ability to refresh and recharge before the next 6 week wave of heavy commitments.
In many ways it feels like, if this were a poker game, I've used every bit of savvy and luck I can borrow or muster, and bluffed my way to the final hand where I am all in, winner takes all.
I've done my part. Let's see what cards the dealer has to offer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)