I and Thou
By Gary Joseph Cohen
14 Dec 2008
Sometimes when I hit the streets to go photographing, I can't help but think about la pieta di Michelangelo at the Museo Opera del Duomo. In this unfinished marble, we see the dead figure of Jesus hoisted off the cross by Joseph of Arimathea. The bearded and haggard face of Joseph is thought to be of Michelangelo himself. Imagine him, on both ends of the chisel, one of stone, one covered in the dust of stone. Whose to say which Michelangelo is more real, or rather, more enduring?
Martin Buber's "I and Thou" also comes to mind when the shutter clicks. Buber suggests that the interconnectedness of being is explored primarily through language: when I acknowledge my "I," your "You" emerges simultaneously, and vice-versa. I acknowledge your existence each and every time I utter the word "I." The "I" cannot exist without a "You," and vice-versa.
Closer to earth, I scour the city looking for my I's infinitely varied You. The You I find knows no rigid form. You have made my I from nothing less than the best of You. For that, my I thanks your You, sports a beard, smokes a pipe, lugs a fir, takes a drag, squints in the sun, and marches on in search of you. Imagine my I, on both ends of the camera, one of flesh, one covered in the light of flesh. Whose to say which I or You is more real, or rather, more enduring?
3 responses
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Michael K said (15 Dec 2008):
On 15 December 2008 Michael K said: (Delete)
B&W nice photos-and simple, nice story of immortal NY and its dweller. -
Simon Kossoff gave props (15 Dec 2008):
great story and really terrific image!
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Jason Schupp gave props (17 Dec 2008):
This is lovely, I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you for this, Gary.
