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(U/L) Eye of the Whale Arch, near Moab, Utah. Manipulated Polaroid SX70 TimeZero film. Now defunct.
Instant Moab....
(L/R)
The Square Tree, Cahone, Colorado. This fabled topiary once flourished
on former US Route 666 (don't worry, it's a 'man's number').
Manipulated Polaroid SX70 print
Terry Knouff
(U/R)
When the angle is just right, this sign will point you to some Entrada
Sandstone. Arches National Park. Manipulated Polaroid SX70 print.
I
happened across a quote the other day. It was by a hipster musician
named Gabe Saporta, lead singer of the band "Cobra Starship", and it
surprised me, not just because it represented a coherent opinion, but
because of the effect it had on me. He's reported to have said
"Nostalgia is the failure of true emotion". Maybe if Mr Saporta had
posted his thought on Facebook he would have just used the parlance of
the times ( or media ) and said "Nostalgia FAIL! ".
Either
way I take exception with the thought that nostalgia is a failure. I've
spent many happy hours immersed in nostalgia, and it has always felt
like a valid emotion to me. Really who hasn't wanted to step back in
time to "the good ol' days", even if those "days" are just an ambered
amalgam of the best of times, and a repudiation of the worst.
I
went searching for a counter-quote to the Nostalgia/Fail and found what
I thought probably nails it for most people these days. It's atributed
to another rocker, Lou Reed , late of the proto-Alt band, "Velvet
Underground" and goes like this "I don't like nostalgia unless it's
mine". Can't say that I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Reed either,
because I do relish the nostalgia of others, not ALL others mind you ,
but some.
Mr
Jim Stiles is one of those whose nostalgia I do enjoy considering.
Stiles and I have some common interests, the Canyon Lands being chief
among them. His recollections of "better days" in the heart of the
redrock desert country have been a source of enjoyment to me, and no
doubt to you as you took the effort to come to the Zephyr website and
maybe do some of your own "emotional failing".
I
realize the Zephyr isn't just about the past, and as Jim has graciously
allowed me to share some photos here, I'm mindful about looking at
presenting some "modern" views of the area as well. But for now, I'm
beginning these photo essays with a nod to things "gone by". Which
brings me to the quote I really wanted to use , by British writer
Margaret Barber "To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye,
to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of
looking forward."
(L/L) Junction of old US 163 and UT211, the so-called 'Church Rock'. Manipulated Polaroid SX70
Movie
set gas station. North of Moab, Utah. From the "film", "Sundown, A
Vampire in Retreat". My brother and sister painted and aged this set.
People stopped to buy gas, and beer. Polaroid P/N film. 1988
So till next time.from Moab yours, Terry Knouff instantmoab@gmail.com
To see more of Terry's photographs, check out his online gallery
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