Inspiration: Prior to the assignment brief, I snapped my right Achilles tendon and damaged my Hamstring whilst skipping at a gym (Midlands Sport Centre for the disabled). A fitting and ironic location! I spent eleven hours in Hospital and was clad in a full leg cast ( Back Slab). I gave it the moniker ‘French dressing’ in reference to inspirational fancy regarding the assignment( Hindsight).
Life dramatically changed with this impediment to normal lifestyle. I was unable to drive, walk or take a shower! Days just lounging around, trying to avoid the ‘Jeremy Kyle show’. It can be done! Use a crutch to turn off the television. Eventually I had the cast removed and was reclad in a plastic orthopod….. the ‘Aircast boot’. The delight of being able to flex my knee and bend down. I could even go down the stairs on my gluteus maximus a` la ‘toddler’. Lifes little delights!
Any walking journeys took six times longer, so the local shop was my boundary limitation. My boot was my shield and protection and it never left my foot, apart from to wash the lining.
My injury and boot had recalibrated my life cycle into slower, laborious procedures; where patience and waiting had become key central issues.
It became self-evident that recovery from this injury was long; involved many hurdles and ‘waiting’ was implicit in this game.
The site: Due to lack of mobility, I decided it was best to control the location of the photographs to be taken. Many years ago, I helped to build a pond and a bridge to span it. It happened to resemble Monets’ garden in Giverney( grandiose?). There was no deliberate attempt to create a similar masterpeice! or to pay homage! The pond, bridge and water lillies were the only common entities.
The props: I decided also to control the props that would be photographed. They would be my choice. Selective combinations would be grouped.
Plastic Orthopod (common),Walking sticks, Plastic flowers, Umbrella, Piece of paper, White cap, Secateurs, Tomato sauce, Green waste bin.
The Photographer: With control of the site and props it merely meant I could advise a friend to take the shots as requested. A digital camera was used (Panasonic DMX FX07) .The shots were taken on the lowest pixel range. I removed my boot and directed proceedings from the end of the bridge. The only difficulty was the wind and balancing objects in the boot. A heavy stone brought balance back after the boot landed in the pond (saved by netting). The photographs were taken in about 10 minutes.
The Theme: Due to my “Luddite” sensibilities regarding New Techology (Reason I am on the course) I decided to mix a personal trial and imbue it with self parody. As a background I would cast the shadow of Claude Monet; and to capture this, use a camera. Almost all the shots would be taken around the bridge, apart from the end shots.
The shots all contain the plastic boot with accessories to project a journey and narrative. The central theme is implicit but cannot be assumed by any isolated photograph. Even in the context of a slideshow, the theme is not immediately apparent without reflection in my opinion. This can only be discerned by questioning the independent viewer who may have a myriad of conceptions. If they include “waiting”, then the purpose is served. To portray the obvious does not create curiousity?
The Order:
Photo 1: “French dressing” This was shot from in amongst Rose bushes. The Rose symbolises the “thorn” of injury and in the murky distance is an empty plastic orthopod, waiting for a new owner as they “Cross the Rubicon”.
Photo 2:”Lame duck” This was shot on the bridge to identify the new owner more closely, who is symbolised by a plastic duck. A “lame duck” in anyones vernacular? The net represents the dilemna of the owner who is caught in a net of immobilty and yet the plastic orthopod is a safety net from furthur injury. From a majestic Rose to a falling flower.
Photo 3:“Two ducks” shot from above. Two ducks waiting to fly.
Photo 4:“Robocop”
Photo 5: “Which way to Giverney?”
Photo 6: “Suited and booted”
Photo 7: “Strapped in”
Photo 8: “I am armed and i will fight the sun”. A quote from Monet regarding his desire to capture the effect of sunlight on water. The plastic flowers have waited for sustenance and light and both have been denied. So close… the umbrella blocks the light and the boot denies access to water.
Photo 9:” Junk mail” Every week I wait for the post, regarding my next appointment. Every week I am told it will be some time before i can remove the boot. This has become a standing joke amongst ATR’s. To change the tangent I included a ‘lame joke’ as a prop.
Photo 10: “The punchline”
Photo 11: “Armed and dangerous” Moderation tools. The secateurs have a dual symbolism. Firstly they are an implement for cutting dead, plastic flowers.The second I leave to the imagination of the viewer.
Photo 12: “Lame duck is moderated” Moderation dissected.
Photo 13: “Leg up?” Hoisted on my own petard.
Photo 14: “On the edge”
Photo 15: “To mobility and beyond”
Boot removal: On November 5th I was finally parted from my boot. My tendon has healed well enough for solo flight. I have forgotten how to walk. My first tentative steps were flat footed and contrived. Barely any lift from my heel. I was coaxed to take smaller steps and lift my heel. My lower leg feels alien and out of synch with my gait. Also I have forgotten to look ahead instead of the ground.
I now have to attend Gait class alongside physio. As a precaution I have been given an arm crutch until then.
