The travels of Mlle. Guignol.
AdorationSo, I finally started editing/posting some of the many-many photos I took on my trip to Europe, last October.
You may have noticed (if you read my comments) that most of the latest batch photos were taken at Oświęcim / Auschwitz-Birkenau. It's the only place I never want to go see again (unless my mother insists on going again, which I doubt because even though she was the one who wanted to see it the first time around, I don't think she's insane enough to want to see it again).
It was awful. I don't think I need to go into details on why it's an awful place. I'll just say I felt horribly conflicted. On one hand, I was revolted (and disgusted) by it and its history and basically didn't want to be there for more than the time it took me to see most of the buildings. On the other hand, it looks so innocuous in broad daylight - it's just another camp with a bunch of buildings, with green grass and tourists walking around.
The air there is heavily still though, and there are absolutely no words for what it's like. I felt terrible for the rest of the day, and there's not much that can put me down like that. I guess I'm human after all, and that's exactly why I felt terrible. Auschwitz is what happens when you pit man against man (for the wrong or right reasons, does it even matter?).
Even so, you might wonder why, if I think it's such an <insert expletives here> place, I've got so many photos of it (boy, and do I have many photos of it). "Isn't that a bit shallow of you, Guignol?"
It's because despite everything the camp stands for, its aestethics please me as an artist. Again, there are no words to describe it. The closest I ever got to explaining it to myself was that the place wasn't so horrible to me because of what it looks like, but because of what I can't forget happened there.
In all honesty, as an artist I found Auschwitz strange and silent and eerie, full with corners I would've liked to cram my camera in. The second part of me, the part that says being an artist < being human, also said I should probably be ashamed and not take so many photos because nobody appreciates a nosy artist having a field day with humanity's darkest hour.
But who I am isn't like that. So I took as many photos as I wanted, because I'm an artist and I appreciate strangeness where I find it. And because I'm human still, and I didn't go see the damned place to avoid reality, and I don't want to forget.
That's as clear as I'll ever make it to anybody other than myself and God (well, He'd already know my opinion), so I guess you'll have to take what I give you, and let the flaming begin, if you think I should be properly chastised.
In closing, I'll tell you what my grandfather told my mother, and what I told myself I would never ever want to say to someone else.
Go see it.
It might storm tomorrow.
Spread the DA love around! (you can copy and paste this message on their userpage!)
RULES:
1- You can hug the person who hugged you!
2- You -MUST- hug 6 other people, at least!
3- You should hug them in public! Paste it on their user page!
4- Random hugs are perfectly okay! (and sweet)
5- You should most definitely get started hugging right away!
Send This To All Your Friends, And Me If I Am 1.
If You Get 7 Back You Are Loved!
1-3 you're a bad friend
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10-& Up you're a great friend
Hugs are Good Thing!
Great job!
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~...Sweet Insanity...~
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“I'll be the judge, I'll be the jury” Said cunning old Fury: “I'll try the whole cause, and condemn you to death.”
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~...Sweet Insanity...~
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“I'll be the judge, I'll be the jury” Said cunning old Fury: “I'll try the whole cause, and condemn you to death.”
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Am I the only one who prefers comments over faves???
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