Reading David Denby’s New Yorker review of the movie "Vantage Point" made me think about Ann Hamilton’s Photography . Denby calls the thriller, told "Rashomon"-style, from different points of view, "something remarkable" for its capacity to capture the "sheer flux of life." The same, I thought could be said about Hamilton’s work with dogs. It is remarkable!
I was going to feature several of her brilliant photographs of different dogs here. But after losing my mind trying to pick favorites from a pack of perfection, I, too, decided to go "Rashomon" today and chose to show you Tiny from all of Hamilton’s vantage points.
When Darby my Dachshund was diagnosed with cancer last fall, the vet told me that a successful surgery to remove his kidney would give him at least another year. After that, all I heard was white noise. Only another year with my dog!
When he recovered (he’s doing great now), I started taking dozens of photographs of him. I followed him around with my camera snapping shots of every cute expression and pose. But I always seemed to miss just the right moment. I felt the impossibility of capturing the essence of my beloved dog. I felt what Denby describes as "the longing to perceive the secret and idiosyncratic pattern within chaos, the singular currents running through the tumultuous sea." I resigned myself to using my memory instead, living in the moment of being with my dog.
Upon seeing Hamilton’s work, I’m inspired again. Looking at the different faces of Tiny, I see that it is possible for someone with great talent and a keen eye to perceive the "idiosyncratic chaos" that is a dog and capture it on film.
Usually, when I meet people who’ve just adopted a new puppy, I tell them to take lots of pictures. Now, I think I will just say, call Ann Hamilton.