Whaleshares Logo

'Alone'

velimirPosted for Everyone to comment on, 5 years ago3 min read

What does it mean to be alone? Is it being physically alone or is it more about feeling alone, regardless of the circumstances? Sometimes being without people is beneficial for restoring inner calmness and each one of us goes to that place from time to time. So, being alone is often a choice, I believe. Now, loneliness, that's another story...

When I was working in Japan, we were invited to a dinner in the restaurant where "Lost in Translation" was shot. A cosy place on the top floor of Park Hyatt where she was singing, as I recall. The place was full of elderly businessmen engaging in casual chatter at the bar and bar-like tables. My young colleague, who loved to get in conversations with strangers, started talking with a guy who appeared to be a board member of some serious corporation. He was slowly sipping his whiskey and Pete started talking about whiskeys even though he didn't know much about them. The elderly gentleman liked that attitude, I believe. Therefore, he politely answered a few questions and ordered a glass of whiskey for Pete. It was a shot of whiskey priced over 120$. Pete was impressed and immediately engaged right back in the conversation. Then the gentleman waved his hand and calmly said: "My time." in Japanese. I still remember the expression that made me laugh after the gentleman translated it into English to dazzled Pete. "Watashi no jikan." The hand movement was slow, downward, with the right hand from left to right. He just wanted to be alone and relax and he didn't need Pete to talk. This was a Japanese lesson on reflective solitude that I vividly recall to this very day.

About the photograph. The festivities have ended, the glitter is about to go down, the joyful feeling is soon to be replaced by grey winter days. I saw this scene and felt its coldness. Dark areas are weighing down upon us, contrasted with the cold light coming from the outside. There are no people, except a guy walking alone. The door in the background is open, letting the coldness inside.

Colours are scarce, washed out and limited to blue and yellow. Linearity is strong and suggestive. Dynamics are created with high contrast and rhythmic patterns on both sides of the frame. The whole feeling is cold, empty and very lonely. Can you feel that?

Rather think of "my time" than about loneliness, and enjoy! :)

©2019 Velimir Kovačić All rights reserved.

Sign Up to join this conversation, or to start a topic of your own.
Your opinion is celebrated and welcomed, not banned or censored!