Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild”, based on Jon Krakauer’s book about the life of Christopher McCandless, begins with this poem. The words echo throughout the two hour long visually stunning journey of Chris from College graduate to lonely nomad, huddled inside an old Fairbanks City bus. It describes the pleasure found in nature, away from human intrusions and structures, away from capitalist habits and responsibility and taxes.
The film’s cinematography communicates these pleasures and evokes empathy from audiences seeking escape from societal power structures, namely capitalism and neocolonialism.
Tag Archives: art
The Art of Noticing
There is a sticker on a lamppost that reads “get lost”. The lamppost hasn’t been cleaned in a number of years so the sticker calls out to those who view it, as a blinding yellow circle. I listen.
There is a bench dedicated to a woman from her husband after her death five years ago and I sit there and wonder what she looked like when she was alive and if she would have liked to have a bench dedicated to her. Maybe she would have hated it. Maybe she wanted a plaque on a birch tree instead.
Prague
“Prague changes like a precious stone to reflect the weather, the time of day and the season of the year. “ – Christian norberg-shulz The summer I visited Prague was one I’ll commit to memory for the rest of my life. Despite being there for only a few days it was enough to make meContinue reading “Prague”
Venice
“Venice never quite seems real, but rather an ornate film set suspended on the water.” -Frida Giannini Often, the first perception people grasp of this city is that its cliché. It’s too predictable to visit here or its so tourist-y that there won’t be much left that’s original. So they, ironically, decide to visit placesContinue reading “Venice”
For Wanderers and Wonderers 